Former All-Pro NFL WR Praises Alabama's Germie Bernard Ahead of Draft

Steve Smith Sr. and Jesse Palmer see Bernard as a 'Deebo Samuel-like' weapon who can fit any NFL offense.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 3:52pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a football player's movements and routes, with sharp planes of crimson, navy, and yellow representing the versatility and pro-ready nature of Germie Bernard's game.A cubist interpretation of Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard's versatile skill set, highlighting his ability to excel as both a traditional pass-catcher and a dynamic offensive weapon.Today in Pittsburgh

As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, former All-Pro wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. and NFL Network analyst Jesse Palmer have showered praise on Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard, highlighting his versatility, route-running ability, and potential to make an immediate impact at the next level similar to San Francisco 49ers star Deebo Samuel.

Why it matters

Bernard is emerging as one of the most complete and pro-ready wide receiver prospects in this year's draft class, with his combination of traditional receiving skills and ability to be deployed as a versatile offensive weapon drawing comparisons to the 49ers' Deebo Samuel. His stock continues to rise as teams prioritize finding reliable, multi-faceted playmakers who can elevate an offense.

The details

During his two seasons at Alabama, Bernard totaled 1,656 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns on 114 receptions, while also adding 78 rushing yards on 8 carries when used in designed touch plays. His well-rounded skill set and toughness have made him one of the most trusted 'glue piece' receivers in the 2026 draft class.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is set to take place on Thursday, April 24th in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The players

Germie Bernard

A wide receiver prospect from the University of Alabama who is widely viewed as an immediate-impact, plug-and-play contributor at the next level.

Steve Smith Sr.

A former All-Pro wide receiver who played for the Carolina Panthers and is now an analyst for the NFL Network.

Jesse Palmer

An NFL Network analyst who has been evaluating this year's incoming class of wide receivers.

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What they’re saying

“Man, he just does some really cool things.. I like this kid. What do I see? Good hands, catcher, great vision, could be a special teams value on returns, possibly. I like his creativity on releases, and he's a savvy route runner... He's a hell of a route runner.”

— Steve Smith Sr., Former All-Pro NFL Wide Receiver

“I'll tell you this Steve—you are not alone in your affinity for Germie Bernard. When I make these calls around it's going, 'You know who I really like, man I really like Germie Bernard'... One of the things that kind of jumped out at me... that was Deebo (Samuel). Everybody's looking for that guy who turns into a running back with the football, asking 'Who's the next Deebo Samuel?' When I watch Germie Bernard, he has that ability that a lot of people are looking for, and he has the wide receiver traits. He has the ability to play the position like a true wide receiver—and that's where he differentiates himself from this group.”

— Jesse Palmer, NFL Network Analyst

What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place on Thursday, April 24th in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where teams will have the opportunity to select Germie Bernard and see how his versatile skill set translates to the professional level.

The takeaway

Germie Bernard has emerged as one of the most complete and pro-ready wide receiver prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, with his combination of traditional receiving skills and ability to be deployed as a versatile offensive weapon drawing comparisons to San Francisco 49ers star Deebo Samuel. His stock continues to rise as teams prioritize finding reliable, multi-faceted playmakers who can elevate an offense.