Steelers eyeing ‘Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel-like’ WR in 2024 NFL Draft.
The Steelers are still searching for another wide receiver to pair with George Pickens after trading Diontae Johnson to the Panthers earlier this offseason. Could they land the next Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel?
According to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, Pittsburgh is among four teams hosting Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on a top 30 visit this week. The others include the Browns, Cowboys and Ravens.
Corley is not viewed as one of the 2024 NFL Draft’s top wide receiver prospects, but he could turn out to be a sneaky addition for the team that takes a chance on him.
The Western Kentucky product has posted 180 receptions for 2,277 yards and 22 touchdowns over the past two seasons. He has also dabbled as a runner, rushing for 98 yards during that time.
That’s exactly why he has already drawn comparisons to 49ers wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel.
“Corley is a big, physical wideout who has been asked to carry a heavy workload for Western Kentucky using his talent after the catch,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein writes. “Like Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel when they were prospects, Corley has had a heavy percentage of his targets schemed around him.”
If Corley turns out to be anything like Aiyuk or Samuel, the Steelers would be ecstatic to land him, especially given their recent interest in potentially trading for Aiyuk.
The best part is a Day 2 pick is all that is expected to acquire Corley. The 22-year-old currently ranks as the 20th-best wide receiver and No. 85 overall prospect on Pro Football Focus’s big board.
There has been no other team better at drafting wide receivers outside of the first round than Pittsburgh. So, if Corley has caught the team’s attention, then maybe it would be smart for some other wide receiver-needy teams to do their homework on him.
The Steelers are hoping Corley’s list of suitors doesn’t grow for their sake as he could turn out to be the perfect complement to Pickens in their offense.
