Alabama WR Germie Bernard is likely to hear his name called on the second day of the NFL Draft, and he could prove to be one of the steals of the whole cycle.
There weren't many receivers in college football the last two seasons who could match his consistency and ability to make big plays in critical moments.
Across two years with Alabama, Bernard produced 1656 receiving yards and 12 total touchdowns. He was the Crimson Tide's leading receiver a season ago, putting up 862 yards and seven touchdowns as a pass-catcher.
He was a jack-of-all-trades for the Crimson Tide, and OC Ryan Grubb lined him up all over the field, including at RB, where he took 18 carries on the season for 101 yards and two touchdowns.
Bernard probably isn't a WR1 in the NFL, but as a high-end WR2 or WR3, he's going to have a long career playing on Sundays.
According to ESPN, Bernard is a perfect fit outside of round one for two NFL franchises.
ESPN believes Germie Benard would fit in perfectly with the Steelers and Titans
On his fit with the Steelers, Jordan Reid writes:
"He isn't afraid to roll up his sleeves and do the dirty work, epitomizing the qualities that Pittsburgh has prioritized in previous years at receiver. Bernard can align at multiple spots in formations to use his strong hands and display how he's an asset as a run blocker."
Bernard certainly has the feel of a Steelers WR. He has some Hines Ward to his game. He's not the flashiest, and won't beat you with his top-end speed, but he's going to run crisp route after crisp route, and he's got excellent hands.
Pittsburgh has also been a popular potential landing spot for his college QB, Ty Simpson, so if the Steelers land Simpson in Round 1, perhaps they circle back and grab Bernard in Round 2 to pair them together to build Mike McCarthy's offense around.
On his fit with the Titans, Matt Miller writes:
"If the Titans don't add a receiver in Round 1, Bernard is the type of winner on crossing routes and in traffic that would immediately benefit Ward. Giving Ward easy answers on the outside, while (Wan'Dale) Robinson is in the slot, would open up the offense in a hurry."
The Titans made a sizeable investment in Cam Ward by using last year's No. 1 overall pick on him and need to surround him with as much talent as they possibly can. Bernard would be a perfect safety-valve type WR, as he was in college for Simpson this year and Jalen Milroe last, which could accelerate Ward's growth and help Tennessee become contenders again in the AFC South.