Way-Too-Early Mock Draft: Steelers Pick Week 1's Best Receiver

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ season is yet to begin, but before kickoff they must resign themselves to a failure – they did not land the big fish at receiver that dominated their offseason plans.

With Brandon Aiyuk extending with the San Francisco 49ers, Pittsburgh’s pursuit of a star receiver was fruitless, leaving the passing attack fragile for the upcoming season. With questions up front and under center, an above-average receiving corps would help mitigate uncertainty and make up for others’ mistakes.

Instead, the receiver position has become a problem for next offseason.

There, according to Pro Football Network’s recent mock draft , the Steelers address the position by taking Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan with the 14th pick.

“Yet, I am still a believer in Justin Fields running Arthur Smith’s run-heavy offensive scheme at a high enough level to earn another year under center, which makes this addition Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan a slam dunk at No. 14 overall,” Derek Tate wrote.

“McMillian projects as an instant impact outside receiver with impressive suddenness and acceleration for a player at 6-foot-5 210 pounds. His body control and catch radius alongside George Pickens could make life treacherous on secondaries with smaller DBs who are ill-equipped to handle a dangerous contested-catch duo like this.”

McMillan is currently the consensus second receiver in this year’s class, trailing Missouri star Luther Burden III. But as one of the prospects in an exciting draft class, there’s more than enough time for him to leapfrog Burden and be the first receiver off the board.

No receiver put forth a more dominant effort in Week 1 than McMillan.

Related: Does Aiyuk Deal Stain Steelers, Khan's Offseason?

Simply put, McMillan was the best player on the field in Arizona’s 61-39 win over New Mexico. He was targeted 15 times, hauling in 10 receptions for 304 yards and four scores. From his separation skills to his ability to win at the catch point and create yards after the catch, McMillan is proving to be a well-rounded target, despite boasting the size profile of a 6-foot-5 threat on the boundary.

Pittsburgh will have to wait for McMillan, but his skill set is worth it. Pairing with receiver George Pickens, with both on rookie contracts, is the kind of surplus value the Steelers offense needs, creating a highlight factory in Western Pennsylvania.