As we approach the final stretch of the 2025 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers' biggest roster holes are hiding in plain sight. One position that has plagued this franchise in recent years is wide receiver.
Over the past three seasons, the Steelers haven't spent more than a third-round pick on the wide receiver position. Unfortunately, Roman Wilson seems to have already fallen out of favor with the team. George Pickens, who looked like Pittsburgh's wide receiver of the future, was traded to the Dallas Cowboys before the start of the season.
While 2025 newcomer DK Metcalf is coming off his best game with the Steelers, Mike Tomlin and the coaching staff have found no suitable option next to him who can help opening up the passing game. That could change during the 2026 NFL Draft.
In his latest mock draft, ESPN's NFL Draft expert Field Yates has the Steelers making the 20th overall selection in the first round next April and taking USC's Makai Lemon. Yates gushed over Lemon's skill set.
"The best way I can describe him: certified baller, as his average size (5-11, 195 pounds) hasn't slowed him down in any way. We are in an era where dominant receivers don't come exclusively in the form of 6-3, 200-plus pound players with 4.4 speed."
"Lemon has one of the best catch radiuses I've studied over the past three classes, and he has dropped the ball only once in each of his three seasons. It would not shock me if he goes a few spots higher than this in April."
The Pittsburgh Steelers finally land much-needed WR help in 2026 mock draft
Since taking over the front office, general manager Omar Khan has tried and failed to land a notable upgrade at the wide receiver position. That is, until ultimately trading for Metcalf. However, the Pickens trade immediately opened up the need at the position once more.
Over the past several years, the Steelers have sought help with washed-up receiving options like Allen Robinson II, Van Jefferson, and Mike Williams. Now, Pittsburgh was desperate enough to add a 35-year-old Adam Thielen to the lineup, as well as Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who's spent most of the 2025 season floating around on practice squads.
The addition of Makai Lemon would be massive for a team desperate to improve its position. Lemon is a natural receiver whose skill set would be a terrific complement to what the Steelers currently have in Metcalf.
The Steelers haven't taken a receiver in the first round of the NFL Draft in 20 years, when they traded from pick 32 to pick 25 to select Santonio Holmes in the 2006 NFL Draft. This team is long overdue to select wide receiver talent in Round 1.
With other glaring needs—including finding a franchise quarterback—there's no guarantee that the Steelers elect to go this direction in April. However, wide receiver is a position that will be high on Pittsburgh's draft radar in 2026.