The 2026 NFL Draft is approaching quickly. The NFL Scouting Combine is ongoing, and the draft itself is just about two months away. So, what should the Steelers do with the 21st overall pick?
Pittsburgh needs to add talent at a variety of positions. One of the biggest needs is at wide receiver. When former Steelers CB Bryant McFadden sat down with KDKA’s Rich Walsh at the Combine in Indianapolis, he offered his thoughts on what he’d do with that pick.
“Adding playmakers to the offense, personally,” McFadden said. “And the reason I say that is, because if you look at the Steelers offensively the last few years, they lack playmakers. I understand we have DK Metcalf at the wide receiver position, but you’re still looking for the next consistent playmaker. And whoever the quarterback is, Rich, I think it’s imperative for them to have high-level guys to throw the football to that plays the wide receiver position.”
If you look at the list of players the Steelers have had formal meetings with at the NFL Combine so far, it seems like the Steelers at least somewhat agree with McFadden. The Steelers have had at least 10 formal meetings with wide receivers (potentially 11). They’ve also had at least four informal meetings, as well.
It makes sense that the Steelers want to find at least one wide receiver in the draft. As McFadden pointed out, they’ve got WR DK Metcalf already. However, they’re lacking in high-end talent behind him. WR Roman Wilson is entering his third year in the NFL, but he hasn’t panned out yet. The Steelers would do well to draft a talented receiver who could play in Pittsburgh for years to come to learn from and play alongside Metcalf.
However, wide receiver is far from the only need the Steelers have on the offensive side of the ball. McFadden specifically said “whoever the quarterback is” for a reason. QB Aaron Rodgers still hasn’t signed with the Steelers. Most people expect that to happen, but until Rodgers signs on the dotted line, anything could happen. Plus, Rodgers will turn 43 years old in December. He’s not the future at the position.
So, could the Steelers opt to pursue a potential franchise quarterback at 21? After all, if you don’t have a quarterback, shouldn’t you pursue every avenue of getting one? Plus, the Steelers had a formal meeting with Alabama QB Ty Simpson at the Combine. It certainly seems like the Steelers are doing their homework on the player who is likely to be the second quarterback off the board in the draft.
“If I am the GM, if I’m Omar, I’m not taking a quarterback at 21,” McFadden said. “And here’s why: Whoever you take at 21, and let’s use Ty Simpson’s name as the example, is Ty Simpson better than second-year player Will Howard currently? Would he be better? Would he win a competition against Will Howard? I’m not quite ready to say that.”
If you look at our very own Jim Hester’s scouting report on Simpson, you can see why many people think highly of him. You can also see why others do not. For every strength Simpson shows on the field, he also shows a question. The lack of playing experience and the downward trajectory of his play last year headline that list of questions.
Meanwhile, the Steelers spent a sixth-round pick on Will Howard in last year’s draft. He finished his college career by winning a national title with Ohio State. His final year’s numbers outshine Ty Simpson’s. Plus, Howard played 50 college games with 44 starts, while Simpson played in 30 games with only 15 starts. Heck, Howard had more starts in his final year (16) than Simpson did in his whole college career. McFadden even pointed out the gulf in experience between the two quarterbacks during the conversation.
That’s not to say that Ty Simpson can’t be a good NFL quarterback. He’s got good tools, both physical and mental. It’s moreso that he’s raw, inexperienced, and needs to grow on the field. The Steelers would be gambling on a small sample size that wasn’t all that great. With Will Howard already in Pittsburgh, it’s hard to say Ty Simpson is a guaranteed improvement. Though ESPN’s Louis Riddick would vehemently disagree.
So, it makes sense that Bryant McFadden would rather add a big-time playmaker at wide receiver with the 21st overall pick. Whoever is under center would benefit.
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