Steelers Seek to Bolster Receiving Corps in 2026 NFL Draft

Pittsburgh looks to add top talent to complement DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:18pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented football players and a football field in shades of black, gold, blue, and crimson, capturing the energy and movement of the game.The Steelers' offseason moves to reshape their receiving corps could lead to a more dynamic passing attack in 2026.Today in Pittsburgh

With a thin wide receiver room after trading away George Pickens in 2025, the Pittsburgh Steelers are eyeing several top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft to help support DK Metcalf and newly acquired Michael Pittman Jr. The team has hosted pre-draft visits with receivers like Alabama's Germie Bernard, USC's Makai Lemon, and Washington's Denzel Boston as they look to restock the position.

Why it matters

The Steelers' passing attack struggled at times in 2025 without a clear-cut No. 1 receiver, leading to the trade for Metcalf and now Pittman. Adding more talent to the receiver room will be crucial for whomever ends up starting at quarterback for Pittsburgh in 2026 as they look to bounce back and compete in the AFC North.

The details

In 2025, the Steelers traded a second-round pick and a seventh-rounder to acquire DK Metcalf from the Seahawks, but the receiving corps still lacked depth. They then traded away 2024 second-round pick George Pickens to the Cowboys. The current group includes Metcalf, Pittman, Roman Wilson, and Ben Skowronek. The Steelers have brought in several top receiver prospects for pre-draft visits, including Bernard, Lemon, Boston, and others, as they aim to add 1-2 impact players to the position.

  • On May 7, 2025, the Steelers traded George Pickens to the Cowboys.
  • On March 13, 2026, the Steelers traded for former Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr.
  • The 2026 NFL Draft will be held in Pittsburgh, PA.

The players

DK Metcalf

Wide receiver acquired by the Steelers in a 2025 trade with the Seahawks.

Michael Pittman Jr.

Wide receiver traded to the Steelers from the Colts in March 2026.

George Pickens

Wide receiver traded by the Steelers to the Cowboys in May 2025.

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What’s next

The Steelers will look to add a quarterback in the 2026 draft, with prospects like Miami's Carson Beck, Arkansas' Taylen Green, and North Dakota State's Cole Payton among those who have visited the team.

The takeaway

The Steelers are focused on rebuilding their receiving corps through the draft, targeting top prospects like Germie Bernard and Makai Lemon to complement DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. This will be a crucial offseason for Pittsburgh as they look to bounce back and compete in the AFC North.