Slotted at pick No. 21 overall, the Pittsburgh Steelers are getting ready to address at least one of their biggest draft needs. One of those major needs is a No. 3 wide receiver. Thanks to trades over the last couple of seasons that have acquired Pittsburgh both DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr., the offense now possesses one of the best receiving duos in the NFL.
But after those two players, there isn’t much else in terms of production. This offense needs a reliable third option for the slot. While he might be on the lookout for that third option, new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy doesn’t believe in drafting short receivers to play the slot.
The Pittsburgh Steelers Are Looking for Versatility at Wide Receiver
GettySteelers head coach Mike McCarthy drafted former Pro Bowl slot WR Randall Cobb in 2011 while with the Green Bay Packers.
Here is what McCarthy had to say during Monday’s pre-draft press conference regarding the idea of drafting a shorter slot wide receiver in the first round (via insider Mark Kaboly):
“I never viewed having a smaller receiver to run slot plays. I don’t play that way because our offensive system is about making the quarterback successful, and when you have to run concepts in the pass game dictated on this receiver can do this, and this one can do that, then you don’t have the ability to move them around, create more matchups, and keep things simpler for the quarterback.”
For years, particularly during his days as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers, McCarthy coached plenty of wide receivers who could line up anywhere on offense. For example, in 2011, the Packers had one of the deepest wide receiver cores with Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, and rookie Randall Cobb. At first glance, Cobb could be looked at as a slot receiver. But, in his later years, he became a Pro-Bowler and recorded nearly 1,300 yards in 2014.
McCarthy is right not to draft a receiver just because of size. As he stated, it is all about making life easier on the quarterback. It isn’t just about size. Speed, good hands, and I.Q. are all part of the game. Versatility is going to be the name of the game for the Steelers at wide receiver. While Roman Wilson could be the third man on the depth chart as of now, his lack of production hurts him.
Roman Wilson Isn’t the Answer
GettyWR Roman Wilson was drafted in the third round out of Michigan in 2024.
Part of the reason why the Steelers could be looking to draft a wide receiver in the first round is that former third-round pick Roman Wilson hasn’t taken off as quickly as most thought. In two seasons, he has just 12 receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns. After battling injuries and a lack of confidence as a rookie, he was able to get on the field in 2025, but in a very limited capacity.
If the Steelers could find a way to draft a top-tier wide receiver prospect such as Denzel Boston or Makai Lemon, their wide receiver core could be one of the best in the league. Furthermore, if future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers were to return for at least one more run in the Steel City, McCarthy’s offense could be all the more tough to stop.
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