The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for the 2026 NFL Draft right in the Steel City, and the front office has 12 picks at its disposal. The team has been linked to several positional groups to add to with its first-round pick. From the start of the 2026 offseason, the Steelers have been speculated to add a receiver on Day 1. This could very much still be possible, and many names and scenarios have popped up in mock drafts and the media. General Manager Omar Khan will have plenty of receiving talents to choose from, as this year's draft is deep at the position.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan takes part in the NFL Draft at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex in Pittsburgh, PA.
The Steelers have been speculated to trade up for a highly-touted receiving prospect at times, and this is a possibility, but a player that could be available at 21 is Denzel Boston. Boston has met with the Steelers in his meetings leading up to the draft, and is considered a late-first-round pick. Boston would be another huge target to add to the Steelers' offense, which already has two giants in DK Metcalf and now Michael Pittman Jr.
The University of Washington prospect is listed at 6'4" and 212 pounds, and if picked by Pittsburgh, would create a three-headed monster with oversized pass catchers. However, Steelers beat reporter Christopher Carter thinks that the Steelers should pass on Boston. Carter gave his take on an episode of the Locked On Steelers podcast.
"The Steelers don't have a true guy that can just shake you up, dice you up, and that's not who Denzel Boston is. So, right now, I think that Denzel Boston just isn't the fit for the Pittsburgh Steelers," Carter said.
Boston is known for his ball skills, ability to catch contested passes, and using his size to his advantage in the red zone. However, his ability to separate from defenses and his mediocre route running are reasons that he wouldn't fit with the Steelers. The offense already has two guys who have similar skill sets to Boston, and they need a receiver who is a crafty route runner who packs a ton of speed.
Dave Sizer Photos
Former Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston makes a catch during his college days.
While Boston certainly has the intangibles to be an effective receiver in the NFL, his abilities are not what the Steelers need. After trading for Pittman, the team needs to find a complementary piece to its two big-bodied playmakers.
With the departure of Calvin Austin III, the offense is missing a speedy slot receiver, and the front office could look to the draft to address that need. An option that fills that mold is Indiana's Omar Cooper Jr., and he could be an option at 21 or the early second round. Pittsburgh has shown that it seems to like him, too
Steelers Could Go A Different Direction In 2026 Draft
The Black and Gold have plenty of draft capital and a few spots that they want to improve at or get younger at. However, there aren't any huge areas of uncertainty besides left guard. The franchise has been speculated to take a left guard at pick 21, and the most commonly mocked talent has been Olaivavega Ioane from Penn State. This is a real option for Pittsburgh at the spot and would be a big-time selection.
Penn State Athletics / Mark Selders
Guard Olaivavega Ioane during his time at Penn State.
While this need is a reason Pittsburgh would move away from a receiver in the first round, the team still has Roman Wilson as an option. If the new coaching staff is confident in him, he could find himself with an increased role.
The former third-round pick could finally get his shot and is yet another option for Pittsburgh to go with. He could be the offense's slot receiver and allow the team to use a later pick on a receiver. No matter what, the Steelers are more than likely going to take a pass catcher, but with how high a draft pick is the question.
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