Pitt's Bub Means Rising Up NFL Draft Boards

A strong NFL Combine has Pitt Panthers wideout Bub Means shooting up draft boards.

PITTSBURGH -- In a stacked class of wide receivers, it was going to take a lot for former Pitt Panthers wideout Bub Means to stand out, but after a strong week at the NFL Combine, he's getting serious consideration as a potential Day 2 pick in 2024. 

ESPN's Mel Kiper had Means, who spent two seasons at Pitt as a transfer, pegged as a fourth-round pick going into the NFL Combine but said he'll take another look at the fast-rising prospect who is still only three years removed from his position switch from defensive back to wide receiver.  

"I'm intrigued by Means," Kiper wrote. "At the combine, he measured in with huge hands (10 1/8 inches) and long arms (33 1/4 inches), and then he ripped off a 4.43 40 yard dash and 39 1/2-inch vertical. I had a Round 4 grade on him coming into the week, but I want to go and study his tape. He has tremendous tools, even if he's still raw developing at the position."

Means caught just 68 passes for 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns over the last two seasons with the Panthers, the second-highest yardage total of any Pitt pass-catcher over that span. He came on strong, particularly over the final two thirds of the 2023 season. He did deal with some subpar quarterback play at times, but those numbers still put him behind the other top wide receivers in his class in terms of production. 

He made up for it with outstanding testing numbers in Indianapolis, Indiana. Means moved well, especially for someone at his size. He has speed and strong hands that is has clearly been intriguing to scouts as he goes through a pre-draft gauntlet. 

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