Steelers "Really Like" 2 Exciting Receivers In 2026 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a glaring problem at wide receiver ahead of the 2026 NFL season. The position group is most likely to be addressed in the early rounds of the draft, however some predict the team will trade up. The Steelers seem to like the talent that they could nab at pick 21. Pittsburgh was unhappy with the performance of its receiver room after last season. Star receiver DK Metcalf did not receive much help, as he was often double-teamed. When Metcalf was served his two-game suspension, the team's weaknesses at the position came to the foreground. The team signed veteran receivers Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling in an attempt to patch the holes in the receiver room, but the two served as little help as the offense struggled mightily through the air in Metcalf's absence. 

The Steelers seem to like their position at pick 21, with the level of depth and talent at the receiver position in this year's draft. The franchise has been linked to a lot of top-end talent, but two names have popped up that the Steelers are interested in. Steelers insider Gerry Dulac weighed in on the team's potential draft choice. 

"My two favorite WRs in the draft are [Omar] Cooper and [Malachi] Fields, and the Steelers like them both," Dulac said. 

Pittsburgh desperately needs help at receiver, and a first-round pick that they are confident in would work wonders for an offense that lacked consistency last season. Cooper and Fields are both projected to be mid-to-late first-round picks and could fall to the Steelers at pick 21. These two receivers could be game-changing for the Steelers' offense and take the pressure off of Metcalf. 

Malachi Fields is one of the receivers that Pittsburgh has been linked to. Fields is a big target who is listed at 6'4" and is known for his strong hands and contested catch ability. He is a big target in the red zone that can be used on fade routes and jump balls. At Notre Dame, Fields posted 630 receiving yards and five touchdowns. What jumps out is his 17.5 yards per reception. Fields is known for being a big-play guy and could be something that the Steelers would look to add to open up their offense. 

Omar Cooper Jr. from Indiana is another highly touted prospect. He combines strength, run-after-catch ability, and is capable of being an elite slot receiver. In Indiana, Cooper broke out in 2025 with 69 catches for 937 yards and 14 total touchdowns. The Steelers would look for a slot-capable guy, as their slot receiver last year, Calvin Austin III, is set to become a free agent. Austin played a similar role in the offense as Cooper did at Indiana. The Steelers could look to get younger, cheaper, and add more potential with this pick.

The Steelers Need Receivers Of Various Skill Sets

The Steelers currently only have Metcalf and Roman Wilson as experienced receivers on their roster as of now. Metcalf combines strength, speed, and deep ball ability to the table. However, the team lacks a true slot receiver, and Cooper Jr. fits that mold. If the Steelers look to go with adding another deep ball threat, they could look to add one in the draft or by adding a free agent. The Steelers have been linked to names like Alec Pierce and Romeo Doubs. They need to add receivers of various skills to open up the offense. 

Overall, the team needs all the help they can get in the receiver room. The team's biggest weakness last year was a lack of weapons besides Metcalf. By adding players through the draft, the Steelers get younger and more explosive. The team would benefit from selecting at pick 21; they wouldn't have to give away any future assets and still have NFL-ready talent at the spot. The Steelers need to get younger and more talented in the receiver room. 

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