Before and after the addition of Michael Pittman Jr., the wide receiver position is a spot that’s made a lot of sense for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round. Yet, at the 21st pick, it’s long been thought they might be too far down the board to land one of the top receivers like Carnell Tate or Makai Lemon, without trading up.

However, there might be a greater possibility of that happening than previously thought. Speaking on 93.7 The Fan, draft analyst Ryan Wilson was asked if he believed there was a chance Lemon could fall to the 21st pick.

“It’s gonna be close. I think there’s a chance,” Wilson said.

It’s a bit jumbled behind Tate, but many consider Makai Lemon the second-best receiver in an already deep class. There are plenty of things he’d add to the Steelers’ offense, which could really use his skill set. He’s a very good route runner who knows how to create separation, works well over the middle of the field, is dynamic after the catch, and is willing to block in the run game as well. And according to Omar Khan, the Steelers loved their pre-draft visit with him. Which is noteworthy, as Khan is usually tight-lipped on those subjects.

Falling to 21 might be a bit of a gift for the Steelers. On Mock Draft Database, Makai Lemon is the second receiver on the big board at 12th overall. However, other receivers being drafted before him may cause him to slide. One whom Wilson thinks could go especially early is Omar Cooper Jr.

“I keep hearing the Rams like him at 13, so maybe they trade down a bit, but I don’t think so,” Wilson said.

Cooper is another receiver who does pretty much everything, and his own draft stock has been rising recently. Although he’d love to go to the Steelers, there are several receiver-needy teams ahead of Pittsburgh.

While Cooper would be a good fit on the Steelers’ offense, his being taken that early wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. There are plenty of first-round talents at the position, and the Steelers should have at least one to consider if they don’t trade up. If he goes that early, that only pushes someone like Makai Lemon further down the board.

That’s not the only position the Steelers need to add to. They could use some help at left guard, one main candidate being Olaivavega Ioane. But he’s another player Wilson expects to be drafted early.

“Feels like he’s gonna somehow land in the Ravens’ lap at 14. If you told me he went two, three, four picks higher than that, I could see that. There’s some teams above the Ravens at 14 that do have some needs at guard,” Wilson said. “He’s so clean that he very well may end up being a top-12, top-11 pick.”

Ioane has many reasons of his own to be selected this high. He’s a strong guard who’s dominant in the run game and holds his own in pass protection. He’s a player who most feel confident can step in and be an immediate upgrade to any offensive line in need of one, and the Steelers definitely fit that bill.

Unfortunately, Wilson isn’t expecting him or Cooper to be available at 21. But he does think Makai Lemon would be and is a name the Steelers should consider.