The Pittsburgh Steelers got their receiver. After making their second trade with the Indianapolis Colts this offseason, the Steelers jumped up six spots to select Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard. Here are our staff grades on the pick.
Ryland Bickley: Bernard has felt destined to be a Steeler for this entire draft process, and there’s a good reason why. He’s a polished prospect who tested well athletically, making him a strong fit for the team’s long- and short-term aspirations.
Bernard should
fit right in as Pittsburgh’s WR3, a reliable target in the short and intermediate game who should mesh with Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy quickly. He’s also one of the best YAC receivers in the class, complementing Michael Pittman Jr.’s skill set and maybe adding some talent on returns. Dare I say the Steelers receiver room is suddenly a bit of a strength?
Even though he’s not much of a burner or a jump-ball guy, Bernard has enough upside to develop into a longtime WR2 for the Steelers. Even with the trade up, this is a good get. Grade: A
Ryan Parish: Ryland and I have had Bernard circled as the logical first WR pick for the Steelers for awhile now. Everything from Bernard’s size, athletic testing, playstyle, and 2nd-round value screamed Mike McCarthy wideout. He can line up on all three positions, blocks his butt off, and has sticky hands. That the Steelers were able to wait and greatly reduce the cost of a trade up is just icing on the cake. Grade: A-
Alex Hanczar: Steelers were expected to make some sort of splash at wide receiver and here it is. Moving up to grab Bernard may seem like a risk in the moment, but in the short term he should serve as an excellent WR3 with WR2 upside. Playing behind DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. should give him good knowledge of two veterans with different playstyles. Additionally, playing in the SEC with the Crimson Tide should enable Bernard to be a plug and play pass catcher. Grade: A
Joey Bray: Germie Bernard is exactly what the Steelers were missing in their receiver room. Bernard can be moved all around the formation and was a gadget guy for the Crimson Tide. He can block very well and is dangerous after the catch. He figured to play a lot inside and immediately becomes a bigger slot receiver standing at six foot one. It’s hard to not love the fit in a Mike McCarthy offense. Grade: A
Jarrett Bailey: Well, there’s your slot receiver. Bernard doesn’t have game-breaking vertical speed, but he is a do-it-all guy who can run block and get yards after the catch. Lance Zierlein comped him to Robert Woods. If the Steelers get that kind of career arc out of Bernard, that’s a job well done. Grade: A-
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