Steelers Handed Perfect 2026 NFL Draft Plan: "That Would Give Them Three Giants"

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been linked to many different 2026 NFL Draft prospects, as the event quickly approaches (which will be hosted in Pittsburgh, PA for the first time ever). On Tuesday, well-respected draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah outlined a brilliant, logical plan for the draft that the Black and Gold should take strong consideration of.

While the team has been linked to offensive linemen, wide receivers, and even defensive backs in the first round, this plan provides plenty of strategy from Jeremiah. The organization has phenomenal draft capital with 12 overall picks, giving them plenty of flexibility and options with each selection.

General Manager Omar Khan has done a great job of filling out the roster ahead of the draft this offseason. With these moves, they now have a lot of different routes they can choose to go in the upcoming annual event. Jeremiah's proposed plan especially makes sense given the team's stockpile of draft picks.

"That would give them three giants out there," Jeremiah said about wide receiver Denzel Boston possibly joining the Steelers in the first round. "Both of those guys (Ted Hurst and De'Zhaun Stribling) have a lot of heat [too], talking to folks around the league."

While it has been speculated the team could go with Denzel Boston (who stands at 6'4", 212 pounds out of Washington), or Germie Bernard (the 6'1", 204 pound standout pass-catcher from Alabama), to fill out the wide receiver room in the Steel City, Ted Hurst and De'Zhaun Stribling are two names that have not been as popular. The newly acquired Michael Pittman Jr., and star wideout DK Metcalf, are going to need talent and depth behind them. Khan has the chance to put the icing on the cake to a great offseason, given his brilliant work in free agency, by selecting the right receiver to complement an already improved room.

Given the many different needs identified for Pittsburgh, this draft capital gives them flexibility to select the best available player, rather than choosing strictly based off of team needs. Jeremiah's wide receiver fits for the Steelers provides an outside-the-box approach, but it is one that can really round out their roster. Should the team select offensive line or a defensive back at pick No. 21 overall, it probably takes Boston off the board for them as he's a projected first-rounder. However, that leaves Bernard in play still, as well as Hurst and Stribling.

Hurst, Georgia State, is 6'4", 206 pounds and was First Team All-Sun Belt in 2025. He led his team with 71 receptions, 1,004 receiving yards (14.1 per catch), and 6 receiving TDs. Stribling on the other hand out of Mississippi, is 6'2", 207 pounds, and led his team with 6 receiving TDs in 15 starts last season. Both players are projected to go in the second round, along with Bernard.

Steelers Are Setting Up For Success In 2026 And Beyond

The organization is clearly aligned on one idea, which is they would rather retool, versus commit to a long-term rebuild. The hiring of new head coach Mike McCarthy validates that idea even further. Khan's moves this offseason however, also confirm that idea, as he moved quickly in free agency to find replacements or upgrades at several key positions. 

This has now set the team up not only for success in 2026, but also for the long-haul as Pittsburgh can now select players that don't need to start right away. They can develop in a system they can truly learn from, while the current veterans lead the charge come September. With McCarthy now running the show, there's no telling what we can expect from this team right out the gate, but with a continued thoroughly executed offseason, the sky is the limit for the Black and Gold.

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