While the Pittsburgh Steelers haven't traditionally been a team that wheels and deals during the annual NFL Draft, there's growing speculation that the Steelers could make a move this year.
With five picks in the Top 100 of the 2026 NFL Draft, including three in the third round, Pro Football Focus opined that the Steelers could package some of their draft picks to move up a handful of spots in the first round for a high-caliber wide receiver.
PFF's Mason Cameron pointed to a lackluster wide receiving corps outside of DK Metcalf as a reason for the Steelers getting aggressive.
As it stands currently, the Steelers have the 21st pick in the first round, and while there may be a top target who falls or the Steelers will fall in love with a wideout in the second tier of prospects, the big three of Ohio State wideout Carnell Tate, USC wideout Makai Lemon and Arizona State wideout Jordyn Tyson will all likely go in the top half of the first round.
The Steelers met with all three during the NFL Combine last month, so all three are on the radar – along with potential first rounders in Texas A&M's KC Concepcion, Indiana's Omar Cooper and Washington 's Denzel Boston, among others.
Metcalf, who is coming off a debut season with the Steelers in which he caught 59 balls for 850 yards and six touchdowns, is the only sure thing in the wide receiving room right now. He accounted for 40% of receptions, 50% of receiving yards and 45% of receiving touchdowns among all wide receivers last season.
And with Calvin Austin III entering free agency, 2024 third round pick Roman Wilson is the only other receiver on the roster who received at least 20 targets last season.
Even if the Steelers add a couple of wide receivers in free agency, which is likely considering the lack of production from the unit last season and one of the only full-time contributors testing free agency, it wouldn't be a surprise if the Steelers target a young, high upside wide receiver early in the draft. And maybe even trade up for their preferred target.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Don't Rule Out Steelers Pushing Chips In During 2026 NFL Draft
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