Steelers Likely No Longer Pursuing Top WRs On The Trade Market As Precise Reason Is Exposed

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a team that has a roster full of some big names, but the depth chart is riddled with holes. Back in 2020, the roster may have been considered good, but there is so much that the team needs that it is hard to feel good about the 2026 season. One of the biggest positions of need is wide receiver, which has been the case for the Steelers for the last few years. The Steelers hold the 21st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which might be a good spot to grab a receiver, but the class is also loaded with talent at the position.

What the Steelers lack in talent, the organization makes up for in 2026 draft capital. The franchise is projected to have 12 selections during the event, with five of them coming in the top 100 picks. There has been chatter about using those picks as trade pieces in potential blockbuster deals to bring in a player like Jaylen Waddle or Brian Thomas Jr., who could each be dealt by their current franchises. Beat writer Christopher Carter joined 93.7 The Fan on Friday, and he was asked about the likelihood of either of those deals occurring.

"I mean, the Steelers are definitely looking at all options," Carter said. "That’s one thing that they do as a front office, they’re keeping things open. I really think that they don’t want to necessarily do that while they are paying DK Metcalf. Especially when this is such a strong wide receiver class."

Pittsburgh already pulled off a blockbuster trade for a wide receiver. It happened during the 2025 offseason when the organization acquired DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a second-round pick. Pittsburgh signed Metcalf to an immediate extension, and his cap hit in each of the next three seasons is over $30 million.

Metcalf had what he probably considers a disappointing year in 2025, but a lot of that has to do with the fact that he was the only true threat Pittsburgh had in the passing game on the outside. The Steelers can change that by acquiring either Waddle or Thomas via trade, but that is unlikely according to Carter due to the money that Waddle would command, and Thomas becomes eligible for an extension after the 2026 season. Carter would rather see the franchise use its draft capital to attack the draft, rather than making a splash on the trade market.

"I brought in DK Metcalf to be my veteran leader who shows up on time to practice, does things we’ve asked of him," Carter said. "Now let's get two young playmakers within our top 100 picks."

It would be wise for Pittsburgh to invest heavily in the wide receiver position through the draft. This way the players are on a rookie deal for four seasons, which could allow financial flexibility. It isn't often a team has five picks in the top 100 selections, and it just so happens that the wide receiver class is incredibly deep.

Steelers Will Have Plenty Of Options At Wide Receiver

Denzel Boston is a name that has been commonly mocked to the Steelers throughout the start of the 2026 offseason, while KC Concepcion is also expected to be available around pick 21. There is some hope that one of the top wide receivers like Makai Lemon or Jordyn Tyson fall in the first round, but that seems unlikely. Other names to keep an eye on for later in the draft, particularly on Day 2, would be Omar Cooper Jr., Elijah Sarratt, and Malachi Fields. 

Cooper has started to pick up steam as a potential first-round pick, but he could also be available on Day 2.

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