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The Steelers haven’t hidden their curiosity in Anthony Schwartz. Right here’s why the Auburn large receiver is more likely to be drafted by Pittsburgh this April.
The Steelers have despatched their brass to many Professional Day’s lately, and the checklist of gamers who might be on their draft radar this April is beginning to pile up. Whereas it appears comparatively clear that Pittsburgh might be concentrating on operating backs, offensive lineman, and cornerbacks early on, it will get more and more onerous to foretell which gamers they may goal afterward.
One man who’s going to be actually excessive on their radar is Auburn large receiver, Anthony Schwartz. The Steelers had a digital go to with Schwartz and Mike Tomlin, Kevin Colbert, and large receiver coach, Ike Hilliard, had been all on hand at Auburn’s Pro Day.
Shortly after assembly with Schwartz, Pittsburgh discovered the cash to signal large receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster to a one-year extension. Nevertheless, don’t suppose for a second that this can deter them from contemplating Schwartz within the third or 4th spherical this yr.
Why do Steelers have a lot curiosity in Schwartz?
With the personnel the Steelers delivered to Auburn’s Professional Day, there’s no query that they’ve plenty of curiosity in drafting Anthony Schwartz. However why are they so intrigued?
On paper, Schwartz doesn’t possess probably the most spectacular numbers. Although 2020 was the best season of his faculty profession, he managed simply 636 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns whereas averaging simply 11.8 yards per catch over 20 video games. As well as, Schwartz leaves so much to be desired within the movie room, as he oftentimes seems to be extra like a monitor star than a pure large receiver.
Regardless of his shortcomings, the Steelers know in addition to anybody that velocity kills within the NFL – significantly on the large receiver place. In a few of Pittsburgh’s greatest offenses with Ben Roethlisberger, they’ve had gamers who may actually take the highest off the protection. Mike Wallace toasted cornerbacks for 4 years from 2009 to 2012. In 2014, Martavis Byrant took over the position as among the finest deep threats within the league; nonetheless, his fifteen minutes of fame was short-lived as a result of a number of suspensions.
Quick ahead to 2021. Pittsburgh is without doubt one of the solely groups within the league that we will legitimately say is four-deep on the large receiver place with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson, and James Washington. Whereas it is a gifted group of fellows, the Steelers are nonetheless lacking that one participant who can shortly toast cornerbacks down the sideline.
We already knew Schwartz was quick, however after operating a 4.26 40-yard dash at his Pro Day, that is affirmation. Nonetheless, he’s nowhere close to the highest-profile receiver on this draft class. The truth is, many don’t view him as the very best on his personal crew (Seth Williams is often extra extremely regarded).
Understanding {that a} participant like Anthony Schwartz shouldn’t price Pittsburgh greater than a third spherical choose at greatest might be why they’ve a lot curiosity within the speedster. Along with his capability to take reverses, stretch the sphere, and transfer in area, he’s a participant that Matt Canada would like to have and I nearly count on him to finish up in Pittsburgh this yr. We’ll see how the chips fall.
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