A trio of Pittsburgh Steelers analyst agree on the position the team should address in the first round. They don’t agree on the player. Steelers Nation Radio’s Matt Williamson, Mike Prisuta, and Max Starks are in unison on Pittsburgh using the 21st overall pick on a wide receiver. The prospect, though, varied.
Here were their picks.
Matt Williamson: Makai Lemon/WR USC
Mike Prisuta: Denzel Boston/WR Washington
Max Starks: Carnell Tate/WR Ohio State
Wide receiver has been the most popular choice to the Steelers across all mock drafts this cycle. With good reason. Quarterback remains the biggest long-term need but in such a weak class, options are few. Receiver must be upgraded, too, and Pittsburgh has far more choices evident by the trio’s differing picks.
Williamson noted Lemon’s versatility as a big selling point. Prisuta could point to Boston’s size. And Tate is arguably the best receiver in the draft. Our scouting reports highlighted the strengths of all three prospects. Lemon’s quick feet, Boston’s confident hands, and Tate’s route fluidity would all be welcome additions to a Pittsburgh offense expected to lean more on receivers and less on tight ends as part of Mike McCarthy’s new offense.
It’s fair to question who will be available. Williamson’s blurb admitted Lemon might not be on the board. During a Thursday conference call, Daniel Jeremiah intimated Boston is likely to be taken in the top half of the draft. And Tate at No. 21 feels like a dream with Prisuta mocking him No. 2 overall to the New York Jets. Williamson had him in the top five.
Pittsburgh will do its due diligence on them all. They will exit the 2026 NFL Draft with one, and probably multiple, receivers. The debate will be who, when, and how many. Once the picks are made, the landscape shifts to how they can make an immediate impact. Especially if QB Aaron Rodgers returns, who generally prefers veterans to rookies.
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