The Pittsburgh Steelers have the city filled with excitement as they are getting ready to host the 2026 NFL Draft. This is massive of course, as it is the first time in NFL history the city of Pittsburgh has gotten to host the draft. Many believe that with 12 picks in the clip for General Manager Omar Khan and new head coach Mike McCarthy, Pittsburgh has something exciting planned.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers' new head coach Mike McCarthy smiles as he addresses the media during his introductory press conference that took place at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.
The Steelers could move up, move back, or do some very exciting things with such a large amount of draft capital at their disposal. With that being said, they hold the 21st overall pick, and naturally everyone is curious about what McCarthy’s first pick is going to be in this new chapter in his journey as the head coach of the Black and Gold. Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr. has been heavily linked to the Steelers at that spot, but so far they have not brought him in for a top-30 visit.
Steelers insider Gerry Dulac provided Steeler Nation with a telling response about why that does not matter in regards to them drafting Cooper. According to Dulac, top-30 visits are not always a final indicator of genuine interest, especially for players the team has already done extensive scouting work on behind the scenes. Dulac also made it clear that the Steelers still have time to host Cooper for a visit should they want to.
"They do like him [Omar Cooper Jr.]... a lot," Dulac said. "And they still have to the end of the week to have top-30 meetings."
In other words, just because Cooper has not been brought in for a formal visit does not mean Pittsburgh is out on him. If anything, it could signal that the Steelers already feel they have seen enough on film and in interviews at the combine or other events to evaluate him as a real option at 21.
IUHoosiers.com
Indiana's Omar Cooper Jr. makes an acrobatic catch in the final seconds of the Hoosiers' 27-24 win over Penn State in the 2025 College Football Season.
They also still may invite him into the South Side building before the end of the week. Even if the Steelers do not host Cooper, they already know quite a bit about him. Steelers wide receivers coach Adam Henry recruited him when he was trying to get him to join the Hoosiers. Also, Steelers Senior Offensive Assistant Frank Cignetti Jr. is the brother of Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti, so clearly Pittsburgh has an abundance of information on Cooper already.
With draft night approaching and anticipation building across the league, Steelers fans are watching every rumor, every insider comment, and every subtle clue for what Khan and McCarthy might do with their first major pick together. Whether it is Cooper or another surprise name, Pittsburgh’s draft strategy is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched stories of the entire first round.
Steelers Have Very Strong Interest In Drafting Omar Cooper Jr.
As the draft draws closer, Cooper stands out as a player who fits exactly what McCarthy and Khan have consistently said they want at wide receiver. He brings confidence, versatility, and a reliable production profile that shows up in the biggest moments of college football’s playoff stage.
Rich Janzaruk / Herald-Times
Indiana wide receivers Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt celebrate after a big play.
In this offense, he would complement DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. perfectly, giving Pittsburgh another dynamic option who can win in different alignments and situations. His ability to perform under pressure only strengthens his appeal. Clearly, the Steelers still hold strong interest in Cooper at this point in the process.
As the 2026 NFL Draft gets ready to kick off in the Steel City, the focus has been glued on this new era in Pittsburgh.
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