We've heard it nonstop for the past two years—the Pittsburgh Steelers need wide receiver help. Despite having George Pickens in 2024 (before being traded to Dallas) and trading for DK Metcalf in 2025, this team has lacked talent at the position, and building through the draft is a must.
For Mike McCarthy to unleash the full force of his offense, he needs a true go-to option in the passing game—someone who can do the bulk of his damage from the slot by manipulating coverages and exploiting the middle of the field. McCarthy had this during his time in Dallas with his first Cowboys draft pick, CeeDee Lamb.
With an unspectacular crop of receivers in free agency (most of which don't fit what the Steelers are looking for), Pittsburgh could look to trade up in the 2026 NFL Draft for a player like Jordyn Tyson or Makai Lemon.
But if that doesn't work, then what?
The way things are shaping up, the Steelers could opt for a first-round selection that's currently not even on the fanbase's radar: Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could be interested in Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq in the 2026 NFL Draft
Your first thought is probably the same as every other Steelers fan: why on earth would Pittsburgh spend the 21st overall pick on a tight end when they have Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, and Jonnu Smith under contract? But there are actually multiple reasons why this selection would make a lot of sense.
The first, and perhaps most critical, is how important that tight end position is to both head coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio. In Dallas, McCarthy was largely responsible for utilizing and developing players like Dalton Schultz, Blake Jarwin, and Jake Ferguson.
Angelichio, meanwhile, has served as a tight ends coach for over a decade in the NFL (in addition to being the Vikings' passing game coordinator and TE coach over the past four seasons). McCarthy clearly wants to emphasize the tight end position in Pittsburgh.
But it's more than just that.
While the Steelers' tight end room might feel complete, a lot could change this offseason. Smith feels like a lock to be a cap casualty. Meanwhile, as unfortunate as it sounds, Washington doesn't fit what McCarthy has historically done on offense—worked out of 11 personnel from the shotgun with just one receiving-first tight end.
The major paradigm shift in Pittsburgh could point toward a new future at the tight end position in Kenyon Sadiq.
On the latest NFL consensus board rankings, Sadiq is the 17th overall player early in the pre-draft process. If he falls to the Steelers at pick 21, this would be considered a quality value selection. And Sadiq might be the perfect hybrid option this team is looking for.
Listed at 6'3'' and 245 pounds, Sadiq has a powerful frame and elite athletic play-making ability from the slot. Rather than settling for the fourth or fifth-best receiver in the class at pick No. 21 with a player like Denzel Boston or KC Concepcion, the Steelers could opt for an outstanding tight end prospect who could be equally as effective from the slot.
Saqid is an excellent mover with enough route-running prowess to separate at the top of his breaks. He also possesses the speed-size combination to be a matchup nightmare over the middle of the field. According to Draft Scout, Sadiq is projected to run a 4.52 forty-yard dash. Ironically, McCarthy's top pass-catcher in Dallas (CeeDee Lamb) ran a 4.50 at the 2020 NFL Combine.
Sadiq's athleticism pops on tape, and it's not hard to see how he would be used in a McCarthy offense. Sadiq could operate as both a 'big slot' and a tight end who can move around the formation.
Making a selection like this might require the Steelers to send either Pat Freiermuth or Darnell Washington packing their bags in a trade. But if Omar Khan and the new coaching staff are looking to get the biggest bang for their buck at pick 21, it might be with the do-it-all weapon out of Oregon.
This past season, we saw what a player with a similar profile could do in Trey McBride. The 6'3'', 246-pound tight end moves like a wide receiver and has been dominant as a pass catcher. In his first four seasons, McBride has already strung together back-to-back seasons of over 110 receptions and over 1,100 yards.
With pressing needs like wide receiver, cornerback, and quarterback, it might be a long shot for the Pittsburgh Steelers to consider a tight end with the 21st overall pick. However, if Kenyon Sadiq is still on the board, he would be a fantastic option with superstar upside for a tight end-friendly coaching staff.