Steelers Khan, Tomlin Skip LSU Pro Day for WR Brian Thomas

While the Pittsburgh Steelers were represented at the LSU pro day in Baton Rouge, La., on Monday, head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan did not make the trip to scout potential first-round wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., a team source confirmed to Steelers Now.

Khan and Tomlin had been attending the 2024 NFL owners’ meetings in Orlando, which wrapped up on Tuesday afternoon. They were not among the half-dozen or so big-time NFL executives which made the trek from Florida to Louisiana to take part in the festivities. The Steelers have sent their head coach and/or general manager to the pro day of every prospect they’ve drafted in the first round since 2012, though that trend could be ending.

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll, New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce, Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberfuls, New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen, Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, Commanders general manager Adam Peters, Bears general manger Ryan Poles, Tennessee Titans general manger Ran Carthon and Los Angeles Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz were all reportedly in attendance for the Tigers’ workout.

The star attraction on Wednesday was LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, who is largely considered to be a top-five prospect and one of the top three quarterbacks on the board in the 2024 NFL Draft. 

Wide receiver Malik Nabers ran a 4.35-second 40-yard dash at the pro day. Nabers is likely a top-10 prospect and one of the top three wide receivers on the board. Daniels and Nabers did not work out at the 2024 NFL Combine, which may have contributed to the large group of top coaches and execs traveling to Baton Rouge for their pro day.

Thomas is considered by most to the No. 4 wide receiver in this year’s draft class and should be taken right around when the Steelers draft at No. 20 in the first round. The Steelers had a formal interview at the 2024 NFL Combine with Thomas, but Khan and Tomlin skipping his pro day seems to suggest that their interest in him may have cooled.

Tomlin said this week at the NFL owners’ meetings that he sees an especially deep group of wide receivers in this draft class, suggesting that the team may wait to find a replacement for Diontae Johnson and a partner for George Pickens.