Steelers Choosing Interesting Strategy With Their Top 30 Wide Receiver Visits

The Pittsburgh Steelers are patiently awaiting the 2026 NFL Draft. The team owns 12 picks this go around and is looking for help at a few key positions. A position that the Steelers are speculated to scout highly is wide receiver. Pittsburgh traded for former Indianapolis Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr. in an attempt to address the thinness at pass catcher. Despite this, drafting a receiver is not off the table, and the Steelers have brought several receivers in for  Top 30 visits. 

Now that the Steelers have the one-two punch of Pittman and DK Metcalf, the receiving corps is making significant progress. Head Coach Mike McCarthy and staff have been evaluating additional help at the position through various prospects. The organization has invited an intriguing group of wide receivers for visits so far. However, none of the first-round talent that they have been speculated to take, like Makai Lemon or Denzel Boston, have completed one of the official trips. 

Steelers beat writer Christopher Carter spoke on an episode of the North Shore Drive podcast and gave his reaction to the Steelers' recent invitees when it comes to the wide receiver spot. 

"Bring in some of these top guys and get to know them and spread that out. And so far, they've avoided that. None of the players that they've brought in, in my opinion, are first-round prospects. I am surprised we have not seen any of these top receivers, particularly a guy like Makai Lemon or KC Concepcion," Carter said. 

The fact that the Steelers haven't brought in any of these top guys is a very interesting development. Pittsburgh scouts were at the draft combine watching these receivers work out, get measured, and work on drills. 

The signs may be clear about where the team wants to go in the draft, whether that's not choosing a receiver or waiting until later to pick one. The Steelers could have a few names that they know they would want at pick 21 at the position, but the front office might go a different direction entirely.

Pittsburgh has brought in other receivers for  Top 30 visits. These receivers have not been graded as first-round talent, and could be a clue as to where the team is going in the draft. The Steelers are known for finding mid-to-late round talent at the wide receiver position, and this year could be no different. So far, they have hosted the likes of Kendrick Law, Germie Bernard, Jeff Caldwell and Zachariah Branch. 

These guys are potential mid-round targets that Pittsburgh could pick to pair with its talented receivers. Pittsburgh has three third-round picks, and one of them could very well be used on one of these receivers. 

The Steelers may not have gotten a good enough look at these players at the combine, so they brought them in for a second glance. The Black and Gold are doing the due diligence of evaluating wide receiver prospects, so the organization can maximize the amount of quality weapons for whoever is under center. To make sure, the franchise is likely preparing to utilize the draft capital it worked hard to build up. 

Steelers Draft Receivers Well In The Middle Rounds

The Steelers evaluating mid-round talent is not shocking. The likes of Diontae Johnson and Calvin Austin III were both third-round picks from smaller schools that ended up being very productive for Pittsburgh. It has been a trend for years that the Steelers can get a lot out of their mid-to-later-round receivers, and they have made it a point of emphasis not to draft them in the first round. 

No matter what, it's pretty certain that the Steelers will draft a receiver at some point in the draft. Many speculated first round, but now it seems with these visits, that the team is banking on yet another mid-round gem. 

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