The Pittsburgh Steelers need to have a good draft in 2026 as the organization has quite a few holes to fill on the roster. An obvious spot that needs to be addressed is at wide receiver, and that is a position that is probably going to need multiple draft picks. Pittsburgh has five picks within the first 100 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft, which works out perfectly as the draft is being held in Pittsburgh, PA. At least two of those selections should be used on the wide receiver position as it has been a weakness for the franchise for several years now.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Omar Khan with Team President and Owner Art Rooney II during the 2022 offseason.
The Steelers currently hold the 21st overall pick in the event, and the franchise should be able to grab a first-round talent at wide receiver in that spot. The 2026 NFL Draft is considered a strong draft at wide receiver, but the players could fly off of the board fast. The top wide receivers in the draft are Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson, and Makai Lemon. There is a world where those three players are top-10 picks, which could leave teams fighting to trade up for Denzel Boston or KC Concepcion.
One team the Steelers are going to have to be wary of is the Cleveland Browns. The Browns have the sixth overall pick and the 24th overall pick, and the rivals could spoil Pittsburgh's night.
#ASU WR Jordyn Tyson has met with the #Browns. Also said the #Cavs and his brother Jaylon will win the Eastern Conference. https://t.co/jU3MV2hdHg
— Ashley Bastock (@AshleyBastock42) February 27, 2026
Cleveland does need help at wide receiver, probably more so than Pittsburgh. Tyson would be an intriguing pickup for the Browns, especially since his brother plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers. If the Browns are truly interested in him, he would probably have to be the pick at six. The same is true of Tate, who also spoke highly about the Browns and the potential of staying in Ohio.
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Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson stands on the field after making a play during a collegiate football game that took place at the home of the Sun Devils in Tempe, AZ.
The Steelers don't have much of a chance to land either Tyson or Tate, or even Lemon. However, the Browns could start a chain reaction by selecting a wide receiver with the sixth overall pick. Teams may begin to panic as receivers come off of the board, which will affect the Steelers. That can keep the Steelers from grabbing a quality wide receiver in the first round.
The other scenario is that the Browns pass on a wide receiver with the sixth overall pick, and maybe both Boston and Lemon are on the board with the Steelers' pick at 21 slowly approaching. Cleveland could leapfrog the Steelers by trading up from the 24th spot, which could take all the top wideouts off of the board. Having to settle for Concepcion or a player at a different position wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, but it would stink not being able to address an obvious weakness in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft for Pittsburgh.
Steelers' Omar Khan Must Be Cognizant Of Trade-Up Opportunities
The Steelers are projected to have 12 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft once the league hands out compensatory selections. That is far too many players to pick in one single draft, and the organization is going to be moving on from some of those picks in some way shape or form. A trade up in round one is certainly possible, especially if wide receivers start flying off of the board. Moving up into the top 15 might be the only way to guarantee the Steelers will get a wide receiver that they want, and that is something General Manager Omar Khan should be open to.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan picks up the phone in the team's war room during the 2023 NFL Draft weekend.
Pittsburgh will also be able to land a quality wide receiver or two on the second day of the event, but grabbing a high-end talent at wide receiver should be a priority.
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