2019 NFL draft will provide Steelers with options to fill void at WR after Antonio Brown trade

The Pittsburgh Steelers traded Antonio Brown to the Oakland Raiders for a pair of 2019 NFL draft picks, which they can use on a wide receiver to help offset Brown’s departure.

The Pittsburgh Steelers had no choice but to trade All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown to the Oakland Raiders for a third- and fifth-round pick after an offseason that rocked one of the league’s strongest football cultures to its core.

And while Pittsburgh’s roster already has some talented young receivers, including superstar-in-the-making JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh GM Kevin Colbert will have plenty of options to choose from in the 2019 NFL draft to help offset the loss of Brown.

Deebo Samuel | South Carolina | 5-11, 214

COLUMBIA, SC – SEPTEMBER 16: Wide receiver Deebo Samuel #1 of the South Carolina Gamecocks outruns defenders from the Kentucky Wildcats for a touchdown at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Todd Bennett/GettyImages) /

Samuel is one of the most underrated receiver prospects in this year’s class. He appeared in 12 games last year and finished the season with 62 catches for 882 yards and 12 touchdowns. Samuel is a dynamic route-runner who’s ready to challenge even the most schooled NFL defensive backs. He’d be an ideal Day 2 pick for Pittsburgh who can contribute right away as a rookie.

Marquise Brown | Oklahoma | 5-9, 166

NORMAN, OK – OCTOBER 27: Wide receiver Marquise Brown #5 of the Oklahoma Sooners lines up against the Kansas State Wildcats at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Kansas State 51-14. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

Brown was once considered the top wide receiver prospect in the class, but his draft stock has suffered since his late-season foot injury. He’s undersized (really, really undersized), but he can flat out fly. Brown isn’t just a one-dimensional speed guy, either. He’s a quality route-runner who can keep defensive backs guessing. If he slides to the later portion of Round 2, the Steelers would have to consider calling his name.

Andy Isabella | UMass | 5-9, 188

ATHENS, GA – NOVEMBER 17: Andy Isabella #5 of the Massachusetts Minutemen carries the ball during the first quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs on November 17, 2018 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Isabella is a nice combination of the previous two receivers on this list. His game film displays a lightning-quick player but there was doubt about just how fast he actually was. He silenced those concerns with his 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. Isabella had a monster season in 2018 (1,698 yards, 13 touchdowns) and produced against the toughest competition on his schedule. He had 15 catches for 209 yards and two touchdowns against Georiga. The dude can flat-out play.

Emanuel Hall | Vanderbilt | 6-2, 201

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – SEPTEMBER 15: Emanuel Hall #84 of the Missouri Tigers makes a move on Antonio Blackmon #14 of the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half of the game at Ross-Ade Stadium on September 15, 2018 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Hall is another receiver flying under the radar and will qualify as a bargain pick on Day 2. He’s dealt with injuries during his time at Vanderbilt, but his film is an exciting display of downfield playmaking ability. Whether he’s a fit for Pittsburgh depends on how they feel about James Washington; Hall, while having a different physical makeup, offers the same big-play ability. He averaged over 22 yards per catch in each of the last two years.

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