Steelers Could Go With Unexpected Prospect As Indiana Wide Receiver Is Rising

The Pittsburgh Steelers head into the 2026 NFL Draft looking to add a receiver (or two) due to their 12 draft picks. Pittsburgh has been linked to multiple pass-catchers and met with several already. The Black and Gold could be targeting high-end or mid-round talent as part of its draft strategy for their receiving room. Early in the 2026 offseason, it seemed clear that the front office would add a top receiving talent with its first-round pick, but after the acquisition of Michael Pittman Jr., receiver might not be at the top of that list anymore. 

The Steelers have been mocked to take some of the best pass catchers that the draft has to offer, like Jordyn Tyson and Makai Lemon. However, with how their offseason is shaking out, a receiver could be selected after round one. The organization has been linked to Indiana receiver Omar Cooper Jr. a lot, including in Charles Davis of the NFL's official website's latest mock draft. 

While this is a possibility, Cooper would probably be a first-round pick, and it's uncertain that the Steelers would want to use that pick on a receiver when they just added a contributor in Pittman. If the front office decides that it wants to go with a receiver, Cooper's teammate is an intriguing prospect. ESPN's Aaron Schatz gave an in-depth analysis of Elijah Sarratt. 

"Somebody pull the Cris Carter alarm, because all Sarratt does is score touchdowns. He led FBS with 15 of them for the 2025 Hoosiers, combined with 65 catches for 830 receiving yards," Schatz wrote. "That total is even more absurd when you consider that Sarratt had to compete for touches with Cooper. Sarratt has this year's highest projection for a player who is coming out without college eligibility remaining." 

Sarratt would be another big-bodied receiver to add alongside Pittman and DK Metcalf. He earned the nickname "Waffle House" because he's always open, and that's a trait that the Steelers' offense is looking for. The Black and Gold are looking for a receiver to be to get open in a jiffy and that is elite after the catch. Sarratt fits both of those molds and could be a huge part of a Steelers offense that could look to have three huge receivers with varying skill sets. 

Sarratt is expected to be drafted in the mid-to-late second round or early in the third round. The Steelers have pick 53, which is the 21st pick of the second round. Sarratt could be there for the taking. If they pass on him, and he is available in round three, Pittsburgh could trade one of its other third-round picks up to get him earlier in the third. 

Pittsburgh needs a receiver for depth purposes, and a young, talented receiver would be key. Sarratt is a huge red zone target and would be yet another threat to score from inside the 20 alongside Metcalf and Pittman. 

Steelers Have A Ton Of Versatility This Draft

The Steelers piled on draft picks by utilizing the compensatory draft pick system to their advantage. They racked up a dozen picks to add youth to their roster and fill in holes at various positions of need. 

The front office has so many picks that it could use them as trade ammunition, gather plenty of players, or draft a variety of different positions. This allows it to potentially double-dip at positions. A scenario that could land both of these Indiana receivers on the Steelers is possible, with Cooper at 21 and Sarratt with an early third-round pick (76). 

While this probably won't happen, the point is clear that the Steelers can go with a lot of different avenues in who they draft. They're not constrained by a clearly lacking position group. Pittsburgh can go receiver whenever it feels necessary, and Sarratt could be in play during the mid rounds. 

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