The Pittsburgh Steelers have begun to reshape their roster for the 2026 season, and that has started with a bang as the organization has acquired several starting-level players. The moves began with a trade for wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., and the acquisition was very fruitful for Pittsburgh. All it took was a late-round pick swap, and an extension was agreed to between the franchise and Pittman that will keep him in Pittsburgh alongside DK Metcalf through the 2029 season. Other notable additions made by the Steelers included cornerback Jamel Dean and running back Rico Dowdle.
Michael Conroy / AP Photo
Newly acquired Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. runs after a catch while with the Indianapolis Colts during an NFL game in 2023.
The Steelers have filled several needs so far as the team has addressed the secondary and the running back position, but wide receiver still needs some work. Metcalf and Pittman are a good duo to have, but the Steelers also need to find a weapon to be the offense's third wide receiver. This could come through the 2026 NFL Draft as the franchise has plenty of draft capital, and the organization currently has the 21st overall pick in the event.
Beat writer Mark Kaboly was on 93.7 The Fan on Wednesday night, and he still believes wide receiver will be the pick in the first round, even after the Pittman deal.
"Come on Austin, that's going to be their first-round pick (wide receiver)," Kaboly said. "I absolutely do. Absolutely do on that one. First of all, you've got too many good receivers that are going to be right around that 21 mark to be able to pass that up, and once again, during the season, you're going to have 29 and 29 on receivers, and Roman Wilson has 29 career catches or yards. What do you have after that? You better start building for the future there. I think definitely, that's the number one choice."
Kaboly's main thought was that both Metcalf and Pittman are nearing the 30 years old mark, so it is important for the franchise to draft a wide receiver that can inject some more youth into that room. Ideally it would be a wide receiver that could contribute right away while also being a weapon for the Steelers for years to come.
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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.
Denzel Boston, Jordyn Tyson, Makai Lemon, and KC Concepcion could all be potential options for Pittsburgh when the team makes its selection with the 21st overall pick. Lemon and Tyson are the two most highly regarded players out of that bunch, and there is a good chance they may be off of the board by the time Pittsburgh's pick comes around. However, the Steelers are loaded with draft capital in 2026. Some of those picks can be packaged together to ensure that the franchise gets the wide receiver that they want.
Putting this focus on the wide receiver position could also help quarterback development. It may make Pittsburgh a place that quarterbacks could want to play, assuming the offense looks significantly better under new leadership.
Steelers Should Keep All Options Open With First-Round Pick
The Steelers need another wide receiver even after acquiring Pittman, but the wide receiver class this year is fairly deep. The franchise could land a solid player in the second or third round, and the focus should be on landing the best player available with the 21st overall pick. That is kind of the philosophy the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles have had over the years, and the Steelers should adopt that method as well. The franchise has been drafting for need far too much lately, and that forces organization's to reach and make bad decisions.
Don Wright / AP photo
Steelers' former GM Kevin Colbert is still around the organization helping out, but his focus has shifted away from wins and losses on the field.
If a wide receiver is the best player on the board, take him. If it is a safety, or the interior offensive lineman from Penn State, take one of them. Just find a way to improve the roster, as a stretch of bad first-round selections at the end of Kevin Colbert's time with the franchise is a big reason the Steelers are where they are.
What do you think about drafting a wide receiver in the first round? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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