Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette does not expect the Pittsburgh Steelers to trade up in the 2026 NFL Draft for a wide receiver. He shared this view during appearances on 93.7 The Fan, citing the depth of this year's receiver class. The team recently hosted USC prospect Makai Lemon for a pre-draft visit.
The Pittsburgh Steelers face a need for wide receivers beyond Michael Pittman Jr. and DK Metcalf, despite acquiring and extending Pittman this offseason. The team holds 12 draft picks and has been linked to prospects including Washington's Denzel Boston, Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson, Indiana's Omar Cooper Jr., and USC's Makai Lemon, who visited Thursday ahead of expectations of a top-20 selection under general manager Omar Khan. Steelers beat writer Ray Fittipaldo dismissed the likelihood of trading up for Lemon or similar talents. 'I don’t think they would do that for receiver,' Fittipaldo said on 93.7 The Fan, noting the draft's depth could yield starters in the second or third round. NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah has called the class one of the deepest ever, supporting Fittipaldo's assessment that trading up is unnecessary for receivers when teams typically prioritize positions like left tackle or edge rusher. Fittipaldo added, 'Typically receiver is not a position that teams move up for, and especially so in a year like this where there could be like 15, even 18 receivers drafted in the top 100 picks.' Under first-year head coach Mike Tomlin—wait, source says Mike McCarthy? No, source says Mike McCarthy, but I think it's error, but preserve as is: Mike McCarthy. The Steelers could leverage their capital if they prioritize Lemon, comparable to Detroit's Amon-Ra St. Brown for slot flexibility.
