The proof is in not just Mike McCarthy’s actions but his words. When it comes to receivers, McCarthy wants a big target for his quarterback to throw to. Speaking to reporters Tuesday morning, he shared what – and who – he’s looking for.
“I do prefer the bigger targets. I think it’s common sense,” he said at the NFL owners meetings via the team website. “You look at completion percentage, you want your quarterback north of 70 percent. You want the ball distributed.”
That meshes with Pittsburgh’s offseason trade for WR Michael Pittman Jr., who measured right at 6-4 coming out of USC. He’ll start opposite DK Metcalf, who is a little bit shorter but one of the most well-built receivers in football. Add TE Darnell Washington and Pittsburgh’s top targets look closer to a basketball team.
McCarthy’s comments mesh with his history. Our Jeremy Pike researched every wide receiver drafted under McCarthy. Of the 23 selected, only two were shorter than six feet tall: Greg Jennings in 2006 and Randall Cobb in 2011. Two quality picks but exceptions to what seems to be McCarthy’s rule.
For the 2026 NFL Draft, that could disqualify key wide receivers. Georgia’s Zachariah Branch, UConn’s Skyler Bell, Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion, and USC’s Makai Lemon are all notable names under that six-feet tall threshold. It doesn’t mean Pittsburgh won’t select them, but history works against them.
“Big, tight ends to target, it’s easier to throw these passes. Those are common sense practices that I keep in touch with,” McCarthy said. “The bigger receivers, outdoor climate.”
McCarthy also noted that bigger receivers “definitely help” create more explosive plays, an area in which the NFL has seen regression and where Pittsburgh’s offense has struggled post-Ben Roethlisberger. Since 2022, the Steelers are tied-22nd in completions of 20-plus yards (181).
With Metcalf and Pittman on the outside, the Steelers most-obviously need help in the slot. That could lend itself to someone comparatively smaller. Still, there’s good-sized prospects like Alabama’s Germie Bernard and Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. Pittman has inside/outside flexibility and the “big slot” has become increasingly popular. In 2025, DeVonta Smith, Stefon Diggs, Chris Olave, Jakobi Meyers, Troy Franklin, and Puka Nacua finished in the top 10 in slot snaps. All six are six feet are taller.
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