Speculation has run rampant on whether the Steelers will select a receiver in this year’s draft. Many of the beat writers have discussed it, and since I feel this year’s class is loaded with a number of talented players, some with loads of potential.

I last covered the top, or “Cream” of this draft class, asking if the Steelers will even consider taking a receiver this year.

I believe the Steelers will take a wide-out somewhere in this draft.

Since we might be looking for one at any point in this draft, it’s worth noting some of the receivers who could fall to, or beyond, the third round. These are the receivers I feel fall out of “The Cream” category, and into my “Crop” or “Dregs” groups, though once you get down to The Dregs, you still have guys who can play!

The Crop

People are likely to scream their heads off because I dropped Cooper Kupp and Curtis Samuel into this section.

Well, I told you there are a lot of receivers in this draft, and that a lot of them are good. There is definite value in this group in day 3, and maybe even day 2 of the draft:

• Dede Westbrook (Oklahoma) – 6’ 0” 176 lbs.
• Isaiah Ford (Virginia Tech) – 6’ 2” 195 lbs.
• Noah Brown (Ohio State) – 6’ 2” 218 lbs.
• Curtis Samuel (Ohio State) – 5’ 11” 197 lbs.
• Cooper Kupp (Eastern Washington) – 6’ 2” 198 lbs.

Much like the last group, you’ve got guys who are 6’ plus, and guys who are 6’ or less.

Dede Westbrook just feels to small to me, so he’s not a guy I would look at too long. Plus, he vanished when Oklahoma played Ohio State. (I know, because I was at the game)

Isaiah Ford is a tall, thin prospect who will need to add bulk to his frame to deal with NFL-caliber hits. He’s a great athlete, and shows a lot of potential, and I wouldn’t be adverse to looking his way in the 3^rd round or later if he’s around.

Is Curtis Samuel a receiver, or a running back? I don’t know. There is no denying his speed and play-making abilities. While he’s short, he’s got the frame to handle the game better than Dede Westbrook, in my opinion. I think Samuel will go much higher, possibly high in the 2nd round, because people will be intrigued by his speed and potential.

If he’s still there when we pick in the 3rd I’d snap him up.

Cooper Kupp was the darling of the Senior Bowl. I like the kid, and if he performs well at the combine, he might even sneak into some round 1 discussions. I think he’s a number 3 receiver, and I don’t know if we have a spot for another “3” on the roster. If he falls, I sure would be tempted though.

The guy I like the most from this group, as a value pick maybe falling to the 4th, is Noah Brown. Speaking of that Ohio State/Oklahoma matchup, Brown had a huge game. He didn’t trash them for yards, but he had 5 catches and 4 TDs. He has size, and he has hands.

The Dregs

Amazingly, even down low, there are still value picks to be had in this draft.

Call it the result of colleges playing so much spread offense: there are receivers all over the place.

• Corlos Henderson (Louisiana Tech) – 6’ 1” 191 lbs.
• ArDarius Stewart (Alabama) – 6’ 1” 204 lbs.
• Zay Jones (East Carolina) – 6’ 2” 202 lbs.
• Taywan Taylor (Western Kentucky) – 5’ 11” 198 lbs.
• Travin Dural (LSU) – 6’ 1” 206 lbs.

Zay Jones actually stole the show in some people’s minds at the Senior Bowl, outperforming Cooper Kupp and Ryan Switzer (who didn’t make the list here, because I think he goes after the 5th).

ArDarius Stewart suffers from having to deal with a freshman QB at Alabama, so nobody really is sure what he’s got to offer, but he looks the part.

Taywan Taylor is a slot-only receiver who will probably go earlier than this because he’s highly productive.

Travin Dural has the same question marks on him as did Malachi Dupre, coming from LSU where quarterbacking was subpar during their time. He’s categorized as “high ceiling, low floor” because while he has deep speed, his ball skills and body positioning will need to develop if they can.

I’d probably pass on all of these guys.

Conclusion

If the Steelers choose to invest their early draft picks on other positions, will they see someone fall in the later rounds that they think would be better than the players they already have?

As mentioned in the previous article, how confident would you feel going to war with Antonio Brown, Eli Rogers, Cobi Hamilton, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Demarcus Ayers? (I mention them, as we don’t know if Martavis Bryant will be reinstated, or if Sammie Coates‘ fingers will heal.)

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Steelers used one of their picks, from the 3rd round and beyond, on a receiver, because, there is going to be value there.

Next up: Safeties