While the focus for the Pittsburgh Steelers is on beating the Ravens this Sunday night, the early draft talk is also in full swing. Bowl games are aplenty right now, and top prospects are on display most days of the week.
For most of Steelers Nation, their eyes are on the quarterback class. However, it doesn’t feel like that position is currently the favorite to target.
I get the need. Aaron Rodgers, if he returns, is wearing down and would be playing his final season in 2026 if he decides not to retire. You can go the other veteran route, but that cycle has been unfruitful since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement.
Drafting and developing a quarterback is the best way to become a contender. That said, you can’t force things (we saw that happen with Kenny Pickett). If the right guy isn’t there, you need to build out your roster to better accommodate a future rookie quarterback.
That means taking the best player available at a position of need. For the Steelers in 2026, that will almost certainly be a receiver.
The Pittsburgh Steelers may shift their draft focus to the receiver room
When looking at needs for this team, there aren’t an alarming number as of now. Of course, the aforementioned quarterback and receiver room needs some help, but outside of that, there isn’t anything apparent.
The offensive line is set and needs some depth and maybe a long-term guard. That doesn’t scream first-round pick. Tight end is deep even if Jonnu Smith is cut in the offseason. Running back is set even if Kenneth Gainwell walks in free agency.
On defense, the defensive line could use another young piece, but a first-round pick feels like a luxury. Edge rusher and linebacker are set. Safety, assuming Jalen Ramsey is retained, could use some better depth, but not much else. Cornerback could be an early target, but we have seen some good play from James Pierre and Asante Samuel Jr. Both could realistically be back.
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Let me be clear: if the right quarterback is presented in the draft to the Steelers, you need to take him. Waiting for next year because of a theoretical “better class” is nonsense. However, the top three options may be off the board before Pittsburgh can target them.
That leaves receiver as the lone top option, and this draft is full of different body types to target. You have big body speed threats and nuanced route runners all across the board.
While Arthur Smith has famously struggled to get more than one receiver heavily involved in an offense, this team has proven that they need better options over the past two seasons when injuries/suspensions strike.
You could target another veteran, but that will be costly. Do you really want to spend north of $20 million a season for a limited number two receiver?
It could be equally hard to justify using a top pick on a receiver, but he will be cheaper, and you have control of him for up to five seasons. By the time his rookie deal is wrapping up, DK Metcalf could be aging out of the offense.
Unless some things change massively, it feels like cornerback, receiver, and quarterback are going to be the top needs ahead of the draft. Cornerback feels like it could be resolved in-house, while quarterback may dry up quickly.
We haven’t seen it since Santonio Holmes, but 2026 could be the time to pull the trigger on another first-round receiver. Having two capable threats for a future rookie quarterback would be a wise investment.