With 4 picks on Day 2 of NFL Draft, Steelers could target receiver, other positions of need

The Pittsburgh Steelers addressed one of their needs on Day 1 by drafting an offensive tackle in the first round. They’ll have four chances Friday to fix some other weak spots on Day 2 of the NFL Draft.

Receiver remains an obvious position of need, especially since the Steelers had initially zeroed in on taking a first-round wideout. Guard, safety and possibly quarterback are others spots they could target soon.

On Friday, they have one second-round selection (No. 53) and three in the third (76, 85 and 99).

The Steelers appeared ready to draft a first-round receiver before USC’s Makai Lemon was scooped up by the Philadelphia Eagles. So, instead, the Steelers selected Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor with the 21st pick. He gives the team another option should starting left tackle Broderick Jones’ neck injury linger.

But a Steelers receivers room that, for now, includes DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. could use another pass-catcher.

After Day 1, five of the most highly regarded wideout options are gone. Lemon was the third of five drafted in the first round. Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson and Ohio State’s Carnell Tate were each selected ahead of Lemon, while Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion (24th to Browns) and Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. (30th to Jets) went after Lemon.

Still, the Steelers have some options.

The top available players for Day 2 include Washington receiver Denzel Boston, who visited the Steelers in recent weeks. The 6-foot-4 receiver was frequently linked to the team in mock drafts. ESPN ranks Boston as the fourth-best available player after Day 1, making it unlikely he could last another 19 picks for the Steelers to take him at 53.

Of course, the Steelers could trade up.

With 11 draft picks remaining in this year’s draft (including seven on Day 3), it’s likely the Steelers make a trade or two.

Along with Boston, the list of top available receivers contains Georgia’s Zachariah Branch, Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell II, Alabama’s Germie Bernard, Clemson’s Antonio Williams and Notre Dame’s Malachi Fields. All are probable second-round picks, each ranked by ESPN among the 27 best remaining prospects.

The two best guards in this year’s draft class went in the first round.

The Ravens drafted Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane at 14, and Georgia Tech’s Keyland Rutledge was picked by the Texas at 26. Both players made pre-draft visits to the Steelers.

Fortunately for the Steelers, this year’s draft class has some depth at guard. Texas A&M’s Chase Bisontis and Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon are both projected as second rounders. ESPN ranks Bisontis as the ninth-best player remaining and Pregnon is 19th.

According to ESPN’s rankings, the top remaining players overall are Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy, Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell, Boston and Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald.

McCoy, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL, was initially viewed as a likely first-round pick.