The Pittsburgh Steelers have done a lot of work this offseason, but there’s still more that needs to be done. Not only is Aaron Rodgers‘ future still up in the air, but the team needs to begin putting its final preparations in place for the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, which figures to be a very important event for the Steelers.
Armed with the No. 21 overall pick in the first round, Pittsburgh has several areas of need it could immediately look to fill at this spot. Two such spots are wide receiver and guard, and while many folks believe the team will ultimately choose to shore up its offensive line, Steelers insider Nick Farabaugh thinks the front office could end up selecting a wide receiver.
Why the Steelers Could Draft a Wide Receiver in the First Round
After making several additions to their defense last offseason, the Steelers have had a focus on the offensive side of the ball this time around. While they have lost several players, such as running back Kenneth Gainwell, tight end Jonnu Smith, and offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo, they have brought guys like running back Rico Dowdle and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to town on this side of the ball.
Seumalo’s departure has created a hole on the offensive line that hasn’t been filled yet, though, which is why so many folks are expecting that to be the spot where the team uses its first-round pick. While Penn State Nittany Lions star guard Olaivavega Ioane makes sense at this spot, there’s a decent shot he doesn’t fall to Pittsburgh at the No. 21 overall pick.
Unless the Steelers trade up the board, drafting a guard in the first round simply may not make sense, which is why going with a wide receiver may be a better move. That is precisely why Farabaugh thinks selecting a wide receiver would make more sense, as the value for Pittsburgh at this spot on the board is simply better for it.
“I’d go wide receiver,” Farabaugh said on “93.7 The Fan.” “I just think the value is going to make more sense there … I think wide receiver, the value is going to be better there than guard. I think there’s one true guard in this class that’s gonna go first round, that’s (Olaivavega) Ioane, and I don’t think he’s gonna be there at No. 21. If he’s not there, it’s a hard sell to me.”
Should the Steelers Draft a Wide Receiver or a Guard in the First Round?
GettyPittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan has 12 draft picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
There’s no doubt that Pittsburgh needs a guard more than a wide receiver after picking up Pittman in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts earlier this offseason. But if the Steelers have to reach to bring a guard to town in the first round, is it really a worthwhile move? There are guys who will be there for the taking on Day 2 of the draft, and while they are riskier additions, it’s better to draft them where they are expected to go than reaching for them.
Pittsburgh has 12 picks in this draft, so that gives the front office a unique amount of flexibility to move up and down the board as it pleases. Trading up for Ioane could make sense, but that will likely cost a pretty penny. Regardless of what the Steelers end up doing, they have some work to do before the draft rolls around, because the decision they make with their first-round pick will likely set the tone for the rest of the action.
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