The Pittsburgh Steelers traded up six spots in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft to select Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard with the 47th overall pick. Pittsburgh sent picks No. 53, 135 and 237 to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for No. 47 and No. 249. Bernard adds versatility to the Steelers' revamped receiving corps.
Pittsburgh general manager Omar Khan orchestrated the trade-up, as reported by NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and MySportsUpdate's Ari Meirov on X. The deal allowed the Steelers to secure Bernard, who visited Pittsburgh before the draft. This marks the second time in Khan's four drafts that he has moved up, following a similar move in 2023 for offensive tackle Broderick Jones. Pittsburgh had selected Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor at No. 21 in the first round earlier on Day 2 of the draft, which began April 24 and continued into April 25, 2026. The 22-year-old Bernard, pronounced JER-mee, hails from Las Vegas, Nevada, where he played at Liberty High School in Henderson. A four-star recruit, he began at Michigan State in 2022, transferred to Washington in 2023, and then to Alabama for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. At Alabama, he recorded 114 receptions for 1,656 yards and 14 touchdowns over two years, leading the team in receptions both seasons. His 2025 stats included 64 catches for 862 yards and seven scores, ranking seventh in the SEC. Bernard also ran for 184 yards and five touchdowns on 36 carries career-wide and has return experience. Measuring 6-foot-12 and 216 pounds at the NFL Combine with a 4.48-second 40-yard dash, Bernard is known for his physicality, route-running savvy, and versatility, lining up wide, in the slot, at running back, and even as Wildcat quarterback. Teammates nicknamed him “Uncle Germ” for his leadership. He joins a receiver room bolstered by a trade for Michael Pittman Jr., alongside DK Metcalf and Roman Wilson, fitting well in Mike McCarthy’s offense.
