Before the NFL Combine, it felt like a hope and a prayer that one of the top three receivers would fall to the Pittsburgh Steelers organically to the No. 21 overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. However, after the Combine, there's an avenue where this happens.
On Tuesday, ESPN's NFL Draft analyst Jordan Reid dropped his latest post-Combine two-round mock draft. With the 21st overall pick, Reid had the Steelers rushing to turn in their card for Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.
Tyson did not work out at the Combine, nor did he participate in on-field drills as he nursed a hamstring injury. The talented wide receiver, who had a serious knee injury in 2023, could have some teams scared away because of his injury history. But the Steelers gladly pick up the pieces. Reid explained his reasoning for the selection.
"Tyson is arguably the most talented receiver in this class, but I have him falling to the Steelers because of concerns about his durability. He has dealt with nagging injuries and never played a full season in college.
When he plays, Tyson is a strong, productive (61 receptions for 711 yards and eight touchdowns last season) ball winner on the outside who shows versatility with his route tree..."
Reid went on to explain why the Steelers use a 'Z' receiver to pair with starter DK Metcalf, and that Tyson would be an ideal complement. It's only because of Tyson's injury history that he's in the conversation for the Steelers without a trade-up in Round 1.
The Pittsburgh Steelers would get their dream selection if ESPN's latest mock draft comes true
When the Steelers are routinely selecting in the early 20s, it's unfair to expect Pittsburgh to come away with blue-chip talent in the NFL Draft. Year after year, this team has played itself out of landing top draft talent.
But that could change if this ESPN mock comes to fruition.
In order to land a player as talented as Tyson at pick No. 21, there has to be some sort of red flag. In this case, it's the wide receivers concerning injury history. Tyson has never played a full season and has been banged up routinely over his college career.
There's a saying around the league that 'injured players tend to stay injured'. This often feels like the case. Take Cory Trice Jr., for instance. The seventh-round cornerback has been exceptional when on the field, but he plays so little that his impact has been negated by injuries entirely.
The concern is that Tyson will always be banged up in the NFL. If he can find a way to stay on the field, however, the Steelers could strike gold with this selection.
At 6'2 1/8'' and 203 pounds, Tyson has a prototype frame for what McCarthy has looked for in his top wide receivers over the years (think Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, and CeeDee Lamb). Tyson combines excellent size with fluid movement skills and the ability to manipulate coverages anywhere on the field.
If not for the injuries, Jordyn Tyson might be viewed as a consensus top-10 player in the 2026 NFL Draft. Luckily for the Steelers, Tyson's injury history is the only reason a player this talented could be on the board when Pittsburgh is on the clock with the 21st overall pick. We can only hope the draft plays out like this.