In Bucky Brooks' first mock draft, he projected the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting relatively unfamiliar name: Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch.
"In 2025, just one Steelers player ( DK Metcalf ) topped 500 receiving yards. With the offensive-minded Mike McCarthy taking over as head coach, Pittsburgh could add another weapon to the lineup to increase the unit's explosiveness," Brooks said.
Branch, a dynamic receiver who caught 81 passes for 811 yards during his senior season, would give the Steelers something they've been missing for a long time — a legitimate second receiving threat. While listed at just 5-foot-10, Branch adds a different dimension to any offense with his speed and quickness, making him dangerous with the ball in his hands, whether on catch-and-run opportunities or in the return game.
Outside of Metcalf, the Steelers don't currently have many dependable options in the wide receiver room. Many fans hoped 2024 third-round pick Roman Wilson would take a step forward in his second season, but despite playing in a receiver group desperate for playmakers, he struggled to carve out a role and spent extended time as a healthy scratch.
That reality suggests his long-term trajectory may not be what the organization once envisioned. Meanwhile, Calvin Austin III has shown flashes as a gadget player, but he hasn't proven he can be a consistent No. 2 option and is also set to hit free agency.
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Many of the NFL's most successful offenses in 2025 were built around having two competent receiving options. The Los Angeles Rams featured Puka Nacua alongside Davante Adams . The Seattle Seahawks leaned on Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp . The Chicago Bears paired Rome Odunze with DJ Moore . The list goes on.
As the Steelers turn the page with a more offensively minded head coach in McCarthy , it's hard to imagine they won't also look to modernize their roster construction. And if Aaron Rodgers does return, adding another dynamic weapon like Branch could make Pittsburgh an even more appealing destination, and give the offense the explosiveness it has long lacked.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : New 2026 NFL Draft Mock-Up Links Steelers to Turbo-Fast WR
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