Anyway... back to the draft.
The Steelers went from having no 2nd round pick to having 2 2nd round picks. We already replaced Broderick with a bigger and more position-flexible/more ready-to-play OL. Just because we got a 2nd for Pickens doesn't mean we have to spend a 2nd to replace him. But.
One thing I've learned in 20+ years of doing this is: if a prospect is REALLY important to you AND you think he's special AND he fits a need... throw out the rankings and worrying about "will he be available later. This isn't the 1970s, where you could legit keep a John Stallworth secret and stash him for later rounds. So, sue me if you think this is early. I don't and I'll tell you why.
Pickens and Metcalf were pretty similar style players, so my goal is not to replicate Pickens, on or off the field.
This prospect used to be a QB (as so many prospects in this class seem to have been--maybe that's why there are so few great QBs in this class!), and most people get hung up on his versatility and can't see past it. Yes, he's a multitool that it's impossible not to think would be like manna from heaven to the dope OC for the Steelers. He is a great runner on end around or taking handoffs, or running wildcat... yes, that's true. But here's what else:
An above average contested ball ability, very good feet he uses to get great releases from the LOS for slants and deep balls, ability to go get the ball with good tracking skills and snatching it away from his body. Add in outlier size/speed and it's a nice package. In fact, he is better at catching the Red Zone fade/jump ball/slant combo than GP, who I think is special at it. But the BEST part BY FAR of his toolbox is that he is, bar none, the best open field runner in the class at any position. And he's not just elusive. he's big, has great contact balance, and it requires a team effort to chase and bring him down.
For a team that needs run and screen touches to make the HC & OC happy, needs a deep threat opposite Metcalf, and needs explosive plays on run and catch beyond the point of desperation (they have basically nothing like that), this is too good a prospect and too good a fit to pass up.
With the 57th pick in the SteelerFury Mock Draft, the Pittsburgjh Steelers select:
Savion Williams, WR, Texas Christian University
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd6bYOFjbi4
