The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for a transformative offseason, with a keen focus on getting younger and adding explosive playmakers to their roster. With 12 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including the 21st overall, they have plenty of opportunities to make impactful moves.
In a recent mock draft scenario, the Steelers are depicted as making a bold move to trade up in the first round. The Athletic’s NFL team has them swapping their 21st pick and one of their three third-round selections with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to jump to the 15th spot. This strategic leap is aimed at snagging wide receiver Jordyn Tyson from Arizona State.
The Steelers' need for more wide receiver firepower beyond DK Metcalf is well-documented. Steelers reporter Mike DeFabo highlights that this trade-up is driven by the desire to secure one of the draft’s elite receivers rather than waiting to see who might be available at 21. Tyson’s versatility to play across all wide receiver positions aligns perfectly with new head coach Mike McCarthy’s preferences, as noted during his introductory press conference.
Tyson is widely regarded as a top-three receiver in the 2026 draft class. Although he was the third receiver off the board in this mock draft, many experts argue he might be the top prospect at his position.
His college stats are impressive, with 158 catches for 2,282 yards and 22 touchdowns, despite being limited to 33 games over four seasons due to injuries. This injury history might deter some teams, but the Steelers have a track record of taking chances on players with similar backgrounds, like Payton Wilson and Darnell Washington.
If the Steelers do secure Tyson, he could be the game-changer their offense desperately needs. Last season, Metcalf led the team with 850 receiving yards, followed by running back Kenneth Gainwell and tight end Pat Freiermuth, each with 486 yards.
The next wide receiver on the list was Calvin Austin III, with just 372 yards. Overall, the Steelers' receiving corps amassed 1,716 yards, barely surpassing the individual total of the Rams’ Puka Nacua, who was second in the league, just behind Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Bringing in a talent like Tyson, who has the potential to be a true No. 1 receiver, could revolutionize the Steelers' offensive dynamics, providing a significant boost to whoever is under center.