There's been a common theme among NFL mock drafts since early in the offseason: the Pittsburgh Steelers will target a wide receiver in the first round. But more specifically, there is one name who continues to be linked to Pittsburgh with the No. 21 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft: Indiana Hoosiers wideout Omar Cooper Jr.
Since the NFL Scouting Combine, Cooper has been a fast riser on NFL expert draft boards, and his connection with the Steelers makes sense. This popular theme continued on Thursday when NFL Network's Charles Davis released the third version of his 2026 first-round mock.
With the 21st overall pick, Davis had the Steelers turn in their card for Cooper. Despite Pittsburgh's surprise trade move for Michael Pittman Jr. at the start of free agency, Davis doesn't believe Omar Khan's pursuit of wide receiver help will end here.
"The Steelers’ receiving corps got a boost from the acquisition of Michael Pittman Jr. from Indianapolis, but why stop there?" Davis wrote.
Omar Cooper Jr. could be the most likely candidate for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft
The connection between the Steelers and Cooper is so easy to see for many reasons. For starters, this pairing makes sense given Pittsburgh's draft position.
Because the Steelers don't earn a pick in the top half of the first round, we can assume that multiple wide receivers could be off the board before they are on the clock at pick No. 21. Ohio State's Carnell Tate should be long gone, and USC's Makai Lemon should be off the board. Meanwhile, if teams are comfortable enough with Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson's medicals, the talented wideout could be off the table before Pittsburgh is on the clock.
This could leave Cooper as the best remaining option for Pittsburgh.
This selection also feels right from a scheme fit perspective. Mike McCarthy has always valued bigger receivers who can operate from the slot and do some work after the catch. Though someone like Texas A&M's KC Concepcion could be in play with this selection, Cooper is taller and heavier with a slightly longer wingspan. And the Indiana product checked the speed box with flying colors when he ran a 4.42 official 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
Cooper would be a better complement with Pittman and DK Metcalf—a pair of big-bodied boundary receivers—than a player like Washington's Denzel Boston (who would offer much of the same).
If the top three receivers are off the board, the Steelers could choose to go in another direction entirely. Targeting the offensive line with a player like Olaivavega Ioane or even taking a safety like Dillon Thieneman isn't out of the question.
Still, at the end of the day, it's effortless work to mock a first-round receiver to the Pittsburgh Steelers. And based on scheme fit and where Omar Khan will be selecting, it just makes sense for Omar Cooper Jr. to continue to be linked to Pittsburgh at pick No. 21.