Matt Miller takes shot at Steelers WR room under Mike Tomlin in explaining Emeka Egbuka fit

As the Pittsburgh Steelers work through their list of needs this offseason, they could address wide receiver in the NFL Draft. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. projected Pittsburgh to select former Ohio State star Emeka Egbuka with the No. 21 overall pick in his Mock Draft 2.0, and Matt Miller cited a big reason that fit makes sense.

Miller noted “professionalism” that could be necessary in the Steelers’ wide receiver room under Mike Tomlin. He specifically pointed out Egbuka’s ability as a blocker and how that would translate to the next level playing alongside George Pickens.

Of course, Egbuka has plenty more skills that make him stand out as a prospect. But that ability to do work at the line of scrimmage is crucial, and Miller also said the intangibles – such as work ethic – are just as important.

“I love Emeka Egbuka,” Miller said Tuesday on Kiper’s Mock Draft 2.0 special. “I think he’s the best run-blocking receiver in this class. He’s great on slant routes, he’s great as a punt returner and as Mel said, he’s going to give you some of that professionalism that has been lacking at the wide receiver position in Pittsburgh probably since Mike Tomlin took the job. So it is absolutely a need for them to get someone in there who has that work ethic, who’s just going to show up and do the job.”

Egbuka put together a decorated career at Ohio State. He played alongside big names such as Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave and Marvin Harrison Jr., but this past season, Egbuka set Ohio State’s all-time record for receptions. That was part of his second career 1,000-yard season while helping the Buckeyes to a national championship.

This year’s wide receiver class features a slew of talent. Former Texas wideout Matthew Golden, former Missouri receiver Luther Burden III and former Arizona star Tetairoa McMillan are among the group of players at the position.

There are compelling cases for each of them to be the first receiver off the board. But Miller said Egbuka makes sense to hear his name called first, and he’d fit in well with the Steelers.

“This is the right range for wide receivers,” Miller said. “I would throw Matthew Golden from Texas in the mix here, Luther Burden from Missouri – who Mel loves to mess with me about – Tetairoa McMillan from Arizona. This is the sweet spot for these wide receivers to come off the board. I think it’s a surprise that Egbuka is the first true wideout coming off the board at this point in the draft, but he is special and he’s going to do all the dirty work that the Steelers need someone to do opposite George Pickens.”