The Pittsburgh Steelers have not strongly tipped their hat in terms of what route the organization might go in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. A trade could certainly be on the table, either up or down, but that seems unlikely. There is a better chance that the franchise stays put with the 21st overall selection in the event and picks a player, but it is just difficult to pinpoint what kind of player that might be. There are a few areas on the roster that could be addressed in this spot, including wide receiver, the left side of the offensive line, safety, or along the defensive line.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan (left) and Team President & Owner Art Rooney II (right) on the field at a team practice while having a discussion with each other.
Early on in the pre-draft process, it seems like a lock that the Steelers would be addressing the wide receiver position in the first round. The Steelers clearly needed help in the passing game as DK Metcalf was often completely taken out of games due to the sheer amount of defensive attention he received. Pittsburgh needed to add another weapon, and the organization did that by completing a trade with the Indianapolis Colts to acquire Michael Pittman Jr. The franchise still needs another wide receiver, but the addition of Pittman means it could wait till Day 2 of the event.
The Steelers have not shown a ton of interest in some of the top wide receiver prospects in the draft. None have been in for visits, but that changed on Tuesday when the organization hosted Denzel Boston out of Washington.
The Steelers are hosting Washington WR Denzel Boston on a pre-draft visit today, one of his many.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 7, 2026
Boston over the past two seasons:
125 catches
1,715 yards
20 TD
3 drops on 198 targets
Boston is seen as a first-round pick by many, and he is expected to go in the back half of the first round, near the area where Pittsburgh is selecting. He could come off of the board earlier if there is an unexpected run of wide receivers being selected, which could make other wide receiver-needy teams panic. It is most likely that he comes off the board in the 20s somewhere, which means he will more than likely be available for the Steelers.
Stephanie Scarbrough / Associated Press
Former University of Washington pass-catcher Denzel Boston goes up to grab a pass out of mid-air while participating in a collegiate football game against the Maryland Terps.
Boston played four seasons at the college level, all of which came at Washington. He caught just seven passes over his first two years in college, but he became a consistent starter over the last two seasons. Something that stands out about his two seasons as a starter is the consistency. He caught 63 balls in one year and 62 in the other, and he recorded 834 receiving yards in 2024 and 881 in 2025. He also averaged 10 receiving touchdowns per season. His production cannot be questioned, and it is especially impressive when considering that Washington is now in the Big Ten.
Steelers Are Clearly Interested In Wide Receivers
The franchise has not been hiding its affinity for the wide receiver position this year. Pittsburgh had already hosted former Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard, who is viewed by many as a second-round pick. The organization also met with Zachariah Branch at his Pro Day, who is another Day 2 prospect.
Kirby Lee / Imagn Images
Former Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard speaks to the media following a loss in the Rose Bowl.
It doesn't matter if a wide receiver is drafted in Round 1 or Round 2, but it is clear that the franchise has plans to draft a player at the position early on. Pittsburgh needs more weapons on its offense, and this draft class is loaded in that regard. The Steelers have to take advantage of that.
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