The wide receiver position has had some emphasis on it for the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. In the early stages of free agency, the franchise made the major move to trade for two-time 1,000-yard wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. However, veteran wide receivers from a year ago in Calvin Austin III, Adam Thielen, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling are all gone. So, the team likely needs more help at the position.
According to insider Mark Kaboly, the Steelers have a need for a young, talented pass-catcher. In fact, while they might be too far down to draft him, Biletnikoff Award winner Makai Lemon won’t be passed on if he is available at pick No. 21 overall.
The Steelers and Makai Lemon Could Be a Perfect Match
HeavyMakai Lemon was named a Unanimous All-American in 2025.
Here is what Kaboly had to write on social media about the likelihood of the Steelers selecting Lemon with the 21st overall pick:
“Lemon will likely be off the board before the Steelers can pick. Still, the talented pass-catcher may not have a set landing spot. Lemon could be the first receiver selected, or he could be picked as late as the fifth or sixth wideout…But if he falls, with six receivers projected in round one, the Steelers couldn’t pass on him.”
Lemon is one of the best wide receivers in this year’s draft class. He also has previously stated his desire to play with future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers should the four-time MVP return for a 22nd career season. If the Steelers were to select him, they would be getting an undersized yet productive slot receiver. His 79 receptions and 1,156 receiving yards were both second in the Big Ten this past season.
The Steelers Need More Productivity at Wide Receiver
GettyDK Metcalf led the Steelers in receiving yards last season.
Even though he is no longer the head coach of the Steelers, Mike Tomlin did one of his best coaching jobs in 2025. He was able to guide his team to 10 wins and a division title despite both sides of the football performing at a bottom-half-of-the-league rate.
Specifically, on offense, the wide receiver group struggled. While Metcalf led the team in receiving with 850 yards, no other wide receiver eclipsed 500 receiving yards. The addition of Pittman, a very productive veteran, should greatly help the core out. But after these two, the Steelers don’t have much consistency at the position. Austin, who is now on the New York Giants, was the second-leading wide receiver with 372 yards. In terms of wide receivers still on the roster, Roman Wilson is the second-leading wide receiver returning after recording just 166 yards in 2025.
So, this team could use some more firepower in the wide receiver room. If Lemon were to fall to Pittsburgh, it would be a splash draft pick. In total, the team has 12 draft picks. If it doesn’t make the choice to draft Lemon, it likely will add help at the position later on in the draft, which takes place in Pittsburgh over a week from now.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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