Steelers Get Brian Thomas Jr. for Russell Wilson in Mel Kiper's 2024 NFL Mock Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers need to bring in a wide receiver for quarterback Russell Wilson ahead of the 2024 campaign after trading Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers, and ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has a solution.

In his latest 2024 NFL mock draft, Kiper has the Steelers drafting LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. with the No. 20 overall pick.

"Thomas, who ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the combine, has a tremendous blend of speed and size (6-foot-3). He caught 17 touchdown passes last season, leading the FBS," Kiper wrote. "Pittsburgh had just 13 total touchdown passes in 2023. Thomas and George Pickens could form an exciting pass-catching duo."

Thomas is ranked as the No. 4 wide receiver available this spring in the Bleacher Report NFL Scouting Department's post-combine big board. He's coming off a 2023 season in which he caught 68 passes for 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns in 13 games in an LSU offense that also included Malik Nabers.

B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen wrote of Thomas:

"Thomas has the big-play potential to be a weapon in the NFL. It's hard to find players with his size, speed and instant burst. While he may not yet be the most complete receiver, Thomas has plenty of good traits to work with and is still a growing, developing young receiver. Thomas would be best served in a vertical offense that unlocks his field-stretching ability."

Wilson, who signed a one-year deal with the Steelers after being released by the Denver Broncos, enters 2024 with Pickens, Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III as his top receivers.

An upgrade needs to be made if Pittsburgh hopes to maximize its potential, and Thomas could be a solid fit.

It should also be noted that any receiver the Steelers potentially draft could also work with Justin Fields, who was traded from the Chicago Bears to Pittsburgh on Saturday.