Approaching the 2025 NFL Draft, we’ll be scouting as many of the top prospects that the Pittsburgh Steelers could have their eye on anywhere from Rounds 1 through 7. We’ll break down the prospects themselves, strengths and weaknesses, projected draft capital and their fit with the Steelers.

With all the focus on defensive line, wide receiver is another big draft need for the Steelers that can’t be ignored this offseason. However, if the team waits until Day 2 to address the position, TCU’s Jack Bech will be one of the top names to watch.

Position: Wide receiver

Class: Senior

Size: 6’2, 207 pounds

Age: 23

Projected draft round: 2

Stats via Sports Reference

Bech was the story of the 2025 Senior Bowl. Just a month after his brother was tragically killed in the January attack in New Orleans, Bech was named the game’s MVP following a six-catch, 68-yard performance that ended with an emotional game-winning touchdown (H-back, wearing his brother’s No. 7 in the clip below).

Bech has been soaring up draft boards ever since that performance in Mobile, emerging as a popular Day 2 option for teams.

Turning on the tape, there’s a lot to like. Bech is a big receiver with solid movement skills for his size. What stands out the most is how tough he is to bring down after the catch. He’s one of the top RAC receivers in this class. Bech routinely fights for every last yard, but he also has some athleticism to make defenders miss (slot on the bottom of the screen — No. 18 in the rest of the clips).

Still, more often than not, he’ll be bowling cornerbacks over for a few extra yards after every play (top of the screen).

Bech’s calling card isn’t his speed, but I was consistently impressed by his athleticism. There’s no wasted movement in his game, and he showed the ability to separate on vertical routes. I’m not sure if that’ll translate to the NFL level, but his natural feel for getting open will; he can surprise with his quickness (top of the screen).

Against zone, he consistently adjusted to find the open spot; he’s always presenting an easy target to the quarterback (slot on the bottom of the screen).

Everything I’ve read about Bech raved about his ball skills, and there was a lot to support that. He wins contested catches and shows the toughness to make grabs over the middle (middle of the trips formation).

(Top of the screen in the clip below).

Still, while Bech is the definition of a reliable possession receiver, he’s not an acrobatic catcher a la George Pickens, and he didn’t face the most physical coverage in 2024. There are still some question marks as to how his game transfers to the pros. I see Bech’s ceiling as a solid WR2. While he has the size and savvy to succeed all over the formation, his ideal fit as a rookie is as a big slot due to his lack of elite athletic traits or catch radius.

As a blocker, I’ll admit Bech didn’t particularly stand out in the games I watched. But as a former tight end, he has the size and strength to bully cornerbacks and I’d consider it a plus of his game.

Bech’s draft stock has risen meteorically over the last few weeks to the point where I’m not exactly sure where NFL teams stand vs. the media consensus. And obviously, the upcoming NFL Combine tends to affect skill position draft stock more than any other group. However, at the moment I see Bech as an early third-round, late second-round talent.

Strengths

Great size for position, reflected in his blocking
RAC machine; extremely physical after the catch
Efficient mover
Solid route-runner; good route leverage
Diverse route tree
Good hands; makes catches over the middle

Weaknesses

Lacks elite athleticism
Doesn’t create a ton of separation
Just one good year of college production; 23-year-old prospect

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com

Competitive inside or outside target who stands out as a box-checker in several important columns. Bech can be slowed in press and might not have much separation speed, but he’s a big, strong receiver with outstanding ball skills. He’s physical at the top of the route and has a rebounder’s feel for owning catch space once he gains top positioning. His hands are sticky and strong with elite catch focus from any spot on the field. He’s fearless and physical as a runner but needs more nastiness as a run blocker. Bech’s lack of explosiveness could shrink his work space, but the focus should be on his pro-ready toughness and ball skills that make him a projectable possession target with WR3 upside.

Chris Pflum of Big Blue View

Bech projects as a starting receiver in the NFL. He doesn’t have the athletic profile to make scouts drool or jump off the tape as an obvious big play threat. That said, his technique and route savvy will translate very well to the NFL and he profiles as a player who’s a dependable option and can be a consistent 1,000-yard receiver.

Most teams will look at Bech as a possession receiver, however his ability to find open spaces in coverage shells creates opportunities for chunk plays or yards after the catch. Bech’s skill and traits should allow him to contribute immediately as a rookie, and he could quickly work his way into being a primary option.

Dame Parson of Bleacher Report

Overall, Jack Bech projects as a power slot, possession receiver who will thrive working the horizontal route concepts like crossers, dig/daggers, inside hitches, over routes, etc. Bech can become the glue guy for an NFL passing offense and handle the dirty work route concepts in the middle of the field with defenders converging from their landmarks. If a team can work past his athletic shortcomings, they will have a potential productive possession-style receiver. … PRO COMPARISON: Shades of Puka Nacua

“Reliable” and “yards after catch” are not exactly terms you hear a lot with the Steelers offense. For that reason, Bech has a skill set that could immediately upgrade the Pittsburgh passing game.

Still, while Bech certainly boasts some inside/outside versatility, it’s no guarantee he’ll be a bona fide WR2 at the NFL level. As a result, I think the Steelers should only be interested if the team can bring in a primary sidekick to George Pickens before the draft. If that’s the case though, Bech’s size and talents could round out the receiving room in an exciting way. He’s not a dynamic athlete, but he could certainly be a quarterback’s-best-friend sort of target.

TL;DR: Bech is a jumbo-sized receiver with enough traits to earn a do-it-all role in college. While his athleticism might limit him in the NFL, he looks the part of a high-profile WR3 with some upside.

What are your thoughts on TCU WR Jack Bech? And which draft prospects would you like to see profiled next? Let us know in the comments below!