2013 NFL Draft: Pittsburgh Steelers select Oklahoma WR Justin Brown in 6th round
By Matt Shetler
The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to add depth throughout the 2013 NFL Draft and have made it a point to upgrade the wide receiver position.
After selecting Oregon State’s Markus Wheaton in the third round on Friday, the Steelers drafted another receiver Saturday, electing Oklahoma’s Justin Brown with the first of their two sixth round picks.
Jan 04, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Justin Brown (19) during the game against the Texas A
Brown was viewed by some as a potential sleeper among the wide receiver class.
He has good size at 6’3″ and was very productive at Oklahoma, catching passes from Steelers’ fourth-round pick Landry Jones.
Brown transferred to Oklahoma after the Penn State debacle and is a guy who also has experience returning punts.
He averaged 13.6 yards per return and ran one back for a touchdown last season, to go along with 73 catches for 879 yards and five touchdowns.
Brown was consistent all through college and has some good initial burst but how that translates to the NFL is a different question altogether.
If everything works out he could provide another target for Ben Roethlisberger, but looking at the roster as it is constructed right now I find it very difficult to see a guy like Brown making the team as a rookie unless he just simply has an outstanding training camp.
However he’s big, physical and has good hands, so if he gets the opportunity he could surprise people and be a productive receiver.