The Pittsburgh Steelers have added the nation’s top return specialist to their draft class, selecting Iowa’s Kaden Wetjen in the fourth round with the 121st overall pick. Here is what our staff had to say about the pick.
Mike Nicastro: With a renewed emphasis on kick returns, Wetjen is expected to be the primary man from day one. We know his former Iowa teammate Kaleb Johnson won’t be handling those duties anytime soon. I’d also anticipate the Steelers use him in a Kenneth Gainwell role on swings and check downs out of the backfield. However, given the talent on the board (Kyle Louis, Skyler Bell, etc) – this feels a few rounds too rich for a gadget. Grade: C+
Joey Bray: I can’t say that im super thrilled about using a fourth round pick on someone who figures to be a guy who only plays special teams. Wetjen was the best return man in the draft, and Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Crossman made it clear they were going to address their need for a return specialist. Wetjen has great speed, running a 4.47 40 yard dash at the combine. Wetjen will absolutely be the Steelers return man next season, but the fourth round seems a bit rich for someone who won’t play receiver at the next level. Grade: D
Ryland Bickley: Wetjen is a truly electric returner with six touchdowns in the last two years across kickoffs and punts. This is a guy I thought the Steelers would and should be interested in to revive the return game — but the fourth round feels rich, especially considering there were a number of receivers who presented a lot more upside on offense (Wejen has just 197 career receiving yards). It’s a solid pick that fills a need, but also feels like a luxury when the team doesn’t have many high-value picks remaining. Grade: C
Ryan Parish: Wetjen was one of the premiere kick returners in college football. While that’s fun, he contributes little else. This was a confounding pick and a terrible use of resources for a niche role that could have been had much later. Grade: D-
Alex Hanczar: I find myself going back and forth on Wetjen landing with the Steelers in the fourth round. Thus far, Omar Khan has done a solid job of filling roster holes but I believe there are still several positions that need addressed, specifically ahead of a kick returner. Wetjen will undoubtedly help what was a pitiful KR/PR team last year, but echoing the statements of fellow BTSC staff members, I yet again question the position of drafting him. Grade: C-
Jarrett Bailey: I love the idea of Wetjen. He’s electric as a returner, which is why he’s the only player to win The Jet award twice. His absolute ceiling could be that of Percy Harvin, but those probably aren’t realistic expectations. Fun player, but this is a big reach. They could have gotten him in the seventh round. Grade: C-
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