Steelers beat writer predicts wide receiver at No. 21 pick

Pittsburgh Steelers beat writer Mark Kaboly maintains that the team is likely to draft a wide receiver with the 21st overall pick in the first round. This comes after the Steelers acquired Michael Pittman Jr. and already have DK Metcalf on the roster. Kaboly expressed this view on The Larry & Big Man Show.

Heading into the offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers faced a clear need at wide receiver, with DK Metcalf as their primary proven option. The team addressed this partially by trading for Michael Pittman Jr. and signing him to a three-year contract, reducing the urgency but not eliminating the need entirely, according to beat writer Mark Kaboly of Steelers Depot. Kaboly prefers bolstering the offensive or defensive lines but senses the direction points elsewhere. He stated on The Larry & Big Man Show: “As for the first round of the draft, I would love to say here, let’s continue to build out that offensive line or defensive line with those big fatties, right? I love those guys. But something tells me they’re going with wide receivers. It’s pointing all towards a wide receiver in the first round with that 21st overall pick. And I don’t think anybody’s gonna complain about that, because you got Pittman, Metcalf, then Roman Wilson, right? So, they need that. They need that, they need receiver pretty badly.” The Steelers declined to re-sign Calvin Austin III, and Roman Wilson showed inconsistency last year, falling out of favor with Aaron Rodgers as the season progressed. Potential first-round targets include Denzel Boston, Omar Cooper Jr., and KC Concepcion, though some may go earlier. The wide receiver class is considered the deepest, and with five picks in the top 99, Pittsburgh could address other needs first and add a WR3 later to complement Metcalf and Pittman.

Relaterade artiklar

Realistic depiction of Steelers draft war room highlighting top 2026 NFL Draft needs: offensive line, wide receiver, and safety.
Bild genererad av AI

Analysts outline Steelers' top needs ahead of 2026 NFL draft

Rapporterad av AI Bild genererad av AI

The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the 2026 NFL Draft with 12 picks, including five in the first three rounds, after addressing several needs in free agency. Experts such as Todd McShay and Ross McCorkle emphasize priorities like offensive line, wide receiver, and safety. Recent history suggests value at the No. 21 pick.

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.

Rapporterad av AI

Building on the Pittsburgh Steelers' recent free agency moves—as detailed in our coverage—the team is prioritizing a guard, safety or wide receiver with their No. 21 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, per insiders. Reporter Ray Fittipaldo advocates a best-player-available strategy at these spots, with potential interest in a quarterback or tight end later.

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II stated that the team probably will not draft a quarterback with its No. 21 pick in Thursday's first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. In a pre-draft interview with WTAE’s Andrew Stockey, Rooney kept options open for other positions like wide receiver, offensive line or secondary, echoing recent analyst reports ruling out early picks like Alabama's Ty Simpson.

Rapporterad av AI

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected 10 players in the 2026 NFL Draft, including offensive tackle Max Iheanachor in the first round and wide receiver Kaden Wetjen in the fourth. Newcomer Kaden Wetjen expressed openness to lining up in the backfield on offense. Analysts offered varied praise and criticism for the haul.

CBS Sports analyst Ryan Wilson argued that edge rusher ranks among the Pittsburgh Steelers' top needs ahead of the NFL draft. He suggested drafting Clemson defensive end T.J. Parker at No. 21 overall is a reasonable idea. Wilson highlighted concerns about the position's future depth on Pittsburgh's roster.

Rapporterad av AI

Several NFL teams have shown interest in prospects visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of the draft. ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. listed three players the Steelers have met with among his favorite sleepers. This comes as the Steelers narrow their first-round targets based on pre-draft visits.

 

 

 

Denna webbplats använder cookies

Vi använder cookies för analys för att förbättra vår webbplats. Läs vår integritetspolicy för mer information.
Avböj