The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in a fascinating spot heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. For once, the pressure feels layered rather than chaotic. Yet oddly enough, Mike McCarthy feels like he’s operating from firmer ground than his predecessor did a year ago. The roster isn’t bare. It’s just incomplete. And that’s why the No. 21 overall pick feels so vital.
On most draft boards, one name keeps surfacing for Pittsburgh:Â Denzel Boston.
And honestly? It makes perfect sense.
This receiver class is loaded. Jordyn Tyson, Carnell Tate, and Makai Lemon headline a deep and explosive group. Most projections have those three flying off the board early. That leaves Boston hovering just outside the top tier—right in Pittsburgh’s strike zone at No. 21.
Sometimes the board falls kindly. This feels like one of those years.
Boston’s 6-4 frame immediately jumps off the screen. He climbs the ladder and attacks the football at its highest point, turning 50-50 balls into 70-30 advantages. But what makes him intriguing isn’t just size. It’s versatility. He can line up outside, slide into the slot for bubble screens, and even contributed on special teams with 25 punt returns during his time at Washington. That kind of flexibility matters in today’s NFL.
Over his final two collegiate seasons, Boston totaled 1,781 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns. He ranked fourth in the Big Ten with 11 touchdown receptions last year. The production matches the measurables. The physicality pairs beautifully with his long speed. Yes, his route tree could use refinement—but that’s minor and coachable.
You can’t teach frame, catch radius, or natural ball-tracking ability.
Denzel Boston is a perfect first-round fit for the Pittsburgh Steelers
More importantly, you can’t ignore fit.
The Steelers desperately need another reliable target. DK Metcalf carried the burden admirably last season, posting 850 yards and six touchdowns. But that output wasn’t enough to lift a stagnant passing attack. Pat Freiermuth and Kenny Gainwell tied for second on the team with 486 receiving yards — nearly half of Metcalf’s production. That imbalance stalls drives and shrinks the field.
Pittsburgh finished 26th in passing yards per play (6.5). That number tells the story.
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Whether Rodgers returns or Howard ascends, neither option succeeds without help. A young, ascending outside threat would immediately change defensive coverages. Boston stretching the field opposite an All-Pro-caliber presence like Metcalf would force secondaries to pick their poison. It would also give McCarthy the vertical element his system thrives on.
I love the long-term vision here. Drafting a quarterback might feel splashier. Addressing the offensive line would be practical. But investing in a receiver who can grow into the franchise’s next cornerstone weapon? That transcends one season.
If Tyson, Tate, and Lemon are gone by 21—as many expect—Pittsburgh could be staring at the perfect blend of value and need. Sometimes draft projections align for a reason.
Denzel Boston to the Steelers doesn’t just check boxes.
It feels inevitable.