Steelers Make Interest In High Value Receiver Official: "Could Be A Steal"

The Pittsburgh Steelers are putting the final touches on the team's preparation for the 2026 NFL Draft. Pittsburgh has 12 selections in the event, so it is going to be a busy few days for the franchise, especially since the city is hosting the event for the first time. It will certainly be a spectacle in Pittsburgh, and the fan base is going to be going crazy early on while waiting to see who the first new addition to the team is. The Steelers could really draft several different positions in the first few rounds, and it is hard to nail down what the organization's strategy might be this year.

The Steelers are now under new leadership with Head Coach Mike McCarthy, and it is hard to say how his pre-draft process might correlate with the players that are selected. General Manager Omar Khan and Assistant General Manager Andy Weidl are still running the show, but McCarthy certainly gives a fair amount of input. He is an offensive-minded head coach, and it is fair to assume that he might want to build out that side of the football. A spot to do that at is wide receiver, as the Steelers have been hurting there for a few seasons now. It might not be a first-round pick, but expect at least one receiver to come off the board to the Steelers within the first two days.

Mike DeFabo, a beat writer for The Athletic, recently spoke to draft analyst Nick Baumgardner. He asked the expert what wide receivers might fit McCarthy's offensive system, specifically when it comes to yards after the catch, and Baumgardner gave two names.

"Two of my favorites who should be there on Day 2, possibly Day 3, depending on how things shake out: Connecticut receiver Skyler Bell and Georgia’s Zachariah Branch," Baumgardner wrote. "Branch might be gone sooner than later on Day 2, even if he’s a bit small. He was terrific last season at Georgia and provided a YAC (7.8 per catch) wrinkle that offense had been seriously lacking. Bell is a super-productive Z/slot receiver who had more than 100 catches last year and averaged better than eight yards after each of them. Bell was a Big Ten recruit (Wisconsin) who found his way out East and could be a steal for someone if he makes it to Day 3."

Zachariah Branch is a name that has been mentioned in the same breath with the Steelers before, and that is because the two sides met at his Pro Day at Georgia. It was reported that there was a dinner between the two sides, but Branch has not been to Pittsburgh for an official visit as of today.

The more intriguing name mentioned by Baumgardner is Skyler Bell out of UConn. Bell has been highly-touted throughout the 2025 college football season and throughout the pre-draft process. He is known for his work with the ball after the catch, which is something the Steelers need. He is in Pittsburgh on Wednesday for an official visit.

Bell is on the older side as he spent five seasons at the college level, with his first three years being spent at Wisconsin. He was teammates with Nick Herbig and Keeanu Benton during his time with the Badgers, so there is some familiarity inside the Steelers' building for the wide receiver.

Steelers Have A Better Chance To Land Skyler Bell

Between Branch and Bell, it is more likely that Bell is in Pittsburgh for the 2026 season. Branch could go quick on Day 2 of the event, while Bell could be stuck waiting around on the second night. The Steelers have a second round pick and three third round selections, and Bell should be available with at least one of those picks. Bell is also a more exciting prospect due to his size.

What do you think about the Steelers' interest in Bell? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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