New Top Prospect Identified For The Steelers In 2026 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a very important draft coming up during the 2026 offseason as the organization is projected to have 12 selections in the event. It is unlikely that the team will be making all 12 picks, as some of them can be used to trade up in some areas of the event, or the franchise can deal some for additional picks in 2027 in the hopes of eventually landing a franchise quarterback. The draft strategy will be interesting to see, but it should be fair to assume that the focus might be on the offensive side of the ball under new head coach Mike McCarthy.

Outside of quarterback, wide receiver is arguably Pittsburgh's biggest. DK Metcalf had a down year in 2025, and a lot of that probably has to do with the fact that there weren't really any other reliable weapons in the passing game. Pat Freiermuth should be more involved in 2026, but the franchise will still need to add some more talent and youth to the current group of pass catchers. Wide receiver should be a target in the first round of the draft, but Pittsburgh could also wait till the second. That is what beat writer Mark Kaboly believes will happen, as he had Pittsburgh drafting Elijah Sarratt out of Indiana in the second round in his recent three-round mock draft.

"Sarratt is an interesting prospect because he’s bounced his way up the football chain from St. Francis (PA) to James Madison, to becoming a critical component of the National Championship run of the Hoosiers in 2025," Kaboly wrote. "Sarratt was a touchdown machine for Indiana this past year with 15. He had 44 touchdowns in four years and is known for his red zone abilities and his physicality. Sarratt is considered more of a possession receiver with a big upside in terms of being able to develop into a high-level pro."

The Steelers need a wide receiver, and Sarratt has played well throughout his entire college career. He especially made a name for himself during Indiana's run towards winning the National Championship. He spent two seasons at James Madison University before transferring to Indiana when Curt Cignetti was hired. He was one of the players the coach had to bring with him.

Sarratt was not known by many when he followed his head coach to Indiana, but he quickly showed off his productivity while playing against some of the best defenses in the nation. He recorded nearly 1,000 receiving yards in 2024 to go along with eight touchdowns, and he then caught 15 touchdowns in 2025. He also has a small connection to the Steelers via the Cignetti family.

"Nicknamed ‘Waffle House’ because he’s always open, Sarratt’s college coach (Curt Cignetti) is the brother of new Steelers senior offensive assistant Frank Cignetti, Jr." Kaboly wrote. "He’s being compared to anywhere from Nico Collins to Keenan Allen."

The Steelers could use a receiver that knows how to get open and is aggressive at the catch point, and Sarratt fits that mold. A Nico Collins or Keenan Allen type of wide receiver would be welcomed with open arms in Pittsburgh, and the organization could land that kind of talent in the second round.

Steelers Are Likely Going To Have To Double Dip At Wide Receiver

Pittsburgh cannot allow the wide receiver position to be a problem during the 2026 season. It is one thing if it is talented rookies struggling with a learning curve, but it is another if the room looks like it has the past several years. Pittsburgh must secure two wide receivers through the draft while also examining options in free agency. The Steelers are projected to have three third round picks, so using the franchise's first or second round selection on a wide receiver, as well as a third rounder would make the most sense.

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