Steelers Discuss WR Tiers and Big Board Ahead of Draft

Steelers Afternoon Drive podcast hosts break down the top wide receiver prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:05pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football game broken down into sharp, angular shapes in a palette of black, gold, and steel blue, conceptually representing the Steelers' analytical approach to evaluating wide receiver prospects.A cubist interpretation of the Steelers' search for their next star wide receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft.Today in Pittsburgh

In the latest episode of the Steelers Afternoon Drive podcast, hosts Derrick Bell and Zachary Smith discuss their wide receiver tiers and big board for the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. They analyze which players are at the top of the class, where prospects like Makai Lemon and Omar Cooper rank, and what separates the elite receivers from the rest of the group.

Why it matters

With the Steelers in need of wide receiver help, this discussion provides valuable insight into how the team's decision-makers are evaluating the top pass-catching talents available in the draft. The analysis could hint at the Steelers' potential first-round strategy and priorities at the position.

The details

On the podcast, Bell and Smith break down their wide receiver tiers, with certain players earning first-round grades. They discuss where Makai Lemon, who recently visited the Steelers, falls on their big board, as well as the rising stock of prospect Omar Cooper. The hosts analyze the key attributes that separate the elite receivers from the rest of the class.

  • The Steelers Afternoon Drive podcast was published on April 9, 2026.

The players

Derrick Bell

Co-host of the Steelers Afternoon Drive podcast and Steelers analyst.

Zachary Smith

Co-host of the Steelers Afternoon Drive podcast and Steelers reporter.

Makai Lemon

Wide receiver prospect who recently visited the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Omar Cooper

Wide receiver prospect who has been generating pre-draft buzz.

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What they’re saying

“What separates the guys at the top and who came out of it with a first round grade?”

— Zachary Smith, Co-host

“Makai Lemon came in for a pre-draft visit, where does he fall in Derrick's WR hierarchy? What about Omar Cooper, as he continues to gain a bunch of pre-draft buzz?”

— Zachary Smith, Co-host

The takeaway

This podcast discussion provides Steelers fans with valuable insight into how the team's decision-makers are evaluating the top wide receiver prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class. With the Steelers in need of help at the position, this analysis could hint at the team's potential first-round strategy and priorities at wide receiver.