Steelers Might Get Handed Their Future At WR On A Silver Platter After Surprising Combine Results

The Pittsburgh Steelers aren't just in the market for one wide receiver. The team could add several new faces to a positional group that has plagued its ability to produce offensive consistency in recent seasons. General Manager Omar Khan will be on the hunt for playmakers that can have a positive effect right off the bat. This could come in the form of free agency, the trade market, or the 2026 NFL Draft. It is expected to be a very deep class, and with the 21st overall selection, the front office in the Steel City will be watching closely in round one to see if one of the top three slip down the board. 

The Steelers were present at the NFL Scouting Combine in the hopes of getting to know some of the prospects that are draft eligible. It should come off as no surprise that the franchise was eyeing wide receivers. With 12 overall selections projected to be in Khan's grasp, Pittsburgh will have a chance to take multiple pass-catchers, and potentially one in the first round.

Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson and Makai Lemon are being looked at as the best of the bunch, which means the Steelers will keep a close eye on their statuses. Tate, who has consistenly been mocked in the Top 10 or so, could now face a problem that affects his stock. A fall from the Ohio State product would help Khan and co. possibly land an elite prospect. Eric Edholm of the league's official website wrote about what happened in Indianapolis for Tate.

"Ohio State WR Carnell Tate's hopes of landing in the top 10 of the 2026 NFL Draft might have just became a little more complicated," Edholm wrote.

This is great news for the Steelers. The 40-yard dash is not the end-all-be-all, but the unexpected showing from the Buckeye could officially put him within Pittsburgh's range.

"The 6-2 1/4, 192-pounder ran an official 40-yard dash time of 4.53 seconds on Saturday at the combine," Edholm noted. "The 40 isn't the end-all-be-all metric for the position, and we've seen several players succeed despite logging disappointing times. But as for being selected with a top-10 draft pick? That could be a steep climb now, especially with Tate weighing less than 200 pounds."

Some may look at this news as far from encouraging, but the Ohio State receivers have consistently impressed at the NFL level. Even reigning Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba barely cracked a 4.5, and he was taken 20th overall.

Edholm continued to discuss what could possibly go wrong for Tate on draft night. While he's still an epic playmaker with superstar potential, his combine showing could end up hurting his stock.

"Most recent top-10 receivers have run the 40 at 4.5 seconds or faster -- including several receivers bigger than Tate," Edholm wrote. "Yes, we're talking hundredths of a second here, but every one of them counts."

Additionally, there could be a way for the wide receiver to prove to teams that he has that jolt of speed that wasn't on display in Indianapolis. Ohio State's Pro Day should give him the perfect opportunity to right this potential wrong.

"History suggests Tate might need something in the 4.4s at Ohio State's pro day in order to help his chances, assuming Tate wants another crack at the 40," Edholm claimed. "Consider what happened with a comparable physical specimen, CeeDee Lamb; Lamb ran a 4.5 flat at 6-2 and 198 pounds and went to the Cowboys 17th overall in 2020. In other words, Tate might have some work to do to ensure a top-10 slot, even in a year where the top of the draft feels a little thinner than normal."

It will be intriguing to see how this ends up sorting itself out, but Khan and the Steelers have to be grinning from ear to ear. Having the chance to potentially grab the best wide receiver (arguably) in the 2026 NFL Draft class simply due to a poor 40-yard run would be an absolute gift.

Steelers Know That It's Time To Invest At Wide Receiver

Pittsburgh's wide receiving corps has been pieced together each year over the course of the last couple of seasons. It has been a while since the organization has had a legitimate one-two punch. The front office knows this and will be looking for top-tier talent. If history holds true and Tate falls a little bit because of a 40-yard dash time, Khan should be ready to move up in round one to grab the dynamic route-runner.

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