The NFL draft process has now advanced to the stage where teams are completing their selection boards. Pro days are quickly approaching, the combine has concluded, and top-30 visits are drawing to an end. Omar Khan, the general manager, and his team are currently gathering that data and creating their lists of the best players.
When I created this list previously, quarterbacks were included. That was prior to the arrival of Justin Fields and Russell Wilson in the city. Despite my belief that Pittsburgh would select USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick, I have chosen to omit quarterbacks from this ranking. This is how I envision it developing.
Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
I don’t think I’m the only one who thinks the winner of the Biletnikoff Award is the top player in this class. At 6’3 and 210 pounds, he is the ideal size and an excellent route runner. He showed last season that he is still a top quarterback even without current Texans quarterback CJ Stroud. Harrison Jr. played much below average quarterback and ended third in the FBS with 14 receiving touchdowns.
He’s not going to be a Steeler, but he’s perhaps the best player on their board.
2. Notre Dame’s Joe Alt, OT
Perhaps a little unexpected given the other two elite receivers available, but I took a step back and questioned myself if they would want to have an amazing left tackle or an elite receiver who isn’t Harrison.
Owing to
Odunze is robust, astute, and reliable, making him Mr. Reliable. Because of his grab radius and demeanor, the Huskies receiver has been compared to former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
Though you’d be dividing hairs, I rank him higher than the following player on this list.
4. LSU’s Malik Nabers, WR
Nabers is best described as explosive. Though I believe he’s a better fit for wide receiver George Pickens than Odunze, Odunze met Pittsburgh at the NFL combine, so that’s why I gave him the tiny advantage. They can’t go wrong with either, and those t-shirts that ask, “Why won’t you be my Nabers?” would be a huge hit.
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