It’s no surprise that the Pittsburgh Steelers were hunting wide receivers during the 2026 NFL draft, given that both DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. are outside receivers who are likely already past their primes. Mike McCarthy’s offense needs a viable slot receiver to be successful, and it’s not easy to find players who have the size, quickness, and physicality to play that role.
That’s why they nearly pulled off the steal of the draft at No. 21 with Makai Lemon, but the Eagles jumped up one spot ahead of them to grab the USC receiver. We’ve already touched on that topic plenty, so there is no need to rehash. But that doesn’t mean the Steelers didn’t get a quality receiver in Germine Bernard a round later.
Pittsburgh Steelers seem to have hit it down the fairway with Germie Bernard
If you scour the internet for scouting reports on the newest Steelers’ receiver, the most common word you will find associated with Bernard is reliable. He improved each season at Alabama and played all three receiver positions, and it worked well. While he might not have the elite physical traits you would want, he certainly checks every box.
That’s why it’s not hard to see why the NFL and the scouting community fell in love with him. The league needs more do-everything receivers who know where to be on third down. That’s exactly what one NFL scout told Bob McGinn via the Go Long substack:
"He’s not a blazer and he didn’t test all that well. But he’s got strong hands. He’s physical. He’s good after the catch. He’s got a chance to be a No. 3 in the league. I don’t know what his true outside ability is because his speed is pretty average but he’s got good feel underneath. I think he’s a solid package, not a special one."NFL scout on Germie Bernard
That last line might feel like a negative, but it’s not. Not every receiver drafted in the first two rounds is expected to become Justin Jefferson or Ja’Marr Chase. Instead, it’s about filling a role and doing it well. This is something that Roman Wilson hasn’t been able to do during his two seasons in Pittsburgh, and it’s why he’s been such a disappointment for a third-round pick.
Bernard is way more advanced in his route running than Wilson, and he has a significant size advantage. He is the type of wide receiver that Mike McCarthy has had a ton of success with in the past and will likely use in the slot and outside.
While he might not be the “sexiest” wide receiver selection, Bernard is a winning player who can fit into any wide receiver room and any scheme. And for a team that has so many problems finding quality receivers over the last several years, he is exactly what they need.
Look for Bernard to start in the slot for the Steelers right away, but don’t be surprised if McCarthy moves him around depending on the opponent and the matchup. Bernard isn’t a No. 1 receiver, but he’s exactly the type of no-nonsense receiver that Pittsburgh needed to round out their wide receiver corps.
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