Even after the surprising trade for Michael Pittman Jr., the Pittsburgh Steelers have a need at the wide receiver position. While the combination of Pittman with DK Metcalf instantly looks more promising than anything we saw last season, both veteran receivers will turn 29 during the 2026 season. Youth and depth at receiver are essential.
But we didn't presume the Steelers would have interest in drafting another big-bodied receiver. Perhaps they do.
On Monday, ESPN's Brooke Pryor reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers are hosting Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Jeff Caldwell for a 30-visit. The Steelers will also meet with Kentucky WR Kendrick Law.
Both of these Steelers pre-draft visits are considered Day 3 prospects, but Caldwell is sure to draw more buzz. At the 2026 NFL Combine, the Cincinnati wideout measured in at 6'5'' and 216 pounds with 32 5/8'' arms.
However, it wasn't just his impressive size that caught the attention of talent evaluators.
Caldwell proceeded to run a blazing 4.31 40-yard dash while recording a ridiculous 42'' vertical and impressive 11' 2'' broad jump. For some Steelers perspective, Caldwell measured in taller and heavier while testing faster and more explosive than Martavis Bryant at the 2014 NFL Combine.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could swing for the fences with WR Jeff Caldwell after surprise top-30 visit
Because of his exceptionally rare combination of size, speed, and explosiveness, we could see Jeff Caldwell fly up draft boards in the weeks leading up to the draft. His size/athletic profile alone could see him being drafted in Day 2 (though he's really more of a Day 3 prospect).
What's interesting is that the Steelers are expressing interest in such a receiver. With two 6'4'' receivers already on the roster, it's interesting to see Pittsburgh use a valuable top-30 visit on Caldwell.
Despite his ridiculous frame, Caldwell isn't the most complete receiver, and often feels like more of a track star at the position than anything else. In 2025, the Cincinnati product recorded just 32 receptions for 478 yards and six touchdowns. This came with a concerning 8.6 percent drop rate and a poor 38.5 percent contested catch rate, per Pro Football Focus.
Caldwell has just one year of experience in a notable football program. Before playing for the Cincinnati Bearcats in 2025, Caldwell spent three seasons with the Lindenwood Lions in St. Charles, Missouri.
The toolsy wide receiver is hardly nuanced as a route-runner or at the catch point, and his game shows traces of former New England Patriots second-round pick Tyquan Thornton (who was over-drafted because of his combination of size and speed).
Meanwhile, the roster make-up of the Steelers seems to suggest that Pittsburgh could use a slot receiver—someone who is capable of creating separation at the top of his routes and creating yards after the catch. This does not fit the description of Caldwell.
Teams only get 30 pre-draft visits with non-local prospects, so using one on Jeff Caldwell is interesting. At the very least, Caldwell is officially on the Pittsburgh Steelers' radar ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.