Should the Pittsburgh Steelers Draft a USC Trojan WR in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Pittsburgh Steelers have actively pursued wide receivers during the 2026 offseason. They traded for former Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and hosted several college receivers for pre-draft visits, including Alabama’s Germie Bernard. USC's Makai Lemon is also visiting Pittsburgh, adding to the Steelers' top-30 prospects. Lemon has been linked to Pittsburgh since late February. In February, CBS’s Josh Edwards noted, “Makai Lemon is grounded through the catch. He’d excel in today’s NFL, where if you put the ball in his hands and give him room, he can create a lot of yards after the catch, which this Pittsburgh offense has desperately needed.” The Steelers' wide receiver room has changed drastically in two years by adding D.K. Metcalf and Pittman through trades. Still, former NFL receiver Gregg Jennings sees them more as “high-end wide receiver twos.” Lemon could be the spark Pittsburgh needs in its receiving corps.
Lemon was one of the best receivers in college football last season, posting 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns through 12 games played. Lemon earned All-American honors with this stat line, was named the Biletnikoff Award Winner for being the nation’s most outstanding wide receiver, and won the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award. While many analysts believe that Lemon will be off the board before the Steelers make their selection with the 21st pick, either to the Rams at 13 or the Jets at 16, the Steelers have a league-leading 12 draft picks to work with in the 2026 NFL Draft. The general consensus is that Pittsburgh will not hold onto all 12 picks, with many analysts stating how difficult it would be to effectively draft and retain 12 rookies once the 53-man roster is decided. A popular trade that has been floating around involves the Steelers sending the 21st overall pick, one of their three third-round selections, and linebacker Patrick Queen to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for the 12th overall pick. While Queen’s production has a chance to improve under new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, this trade would put Pittsburgh in a perfect position to select the All-American out of USC.
The Steelers' current wide receiver duo of Pittman and Metcalf is both large-bodied, outside receivers. They each stand at six-foot-four and weigh north of 220 pounds. The Steelers lost their closest option at slot receiver when Calvin Austin III signed with the New York Giants in March of 2026. Lemon stands at five-foot-11, and weighs 195 pounds. Combine that with a 40-yard dash ranging from 4.47 to 4.53 at USC’s pro day, and Lemon has the potential to enter the NFL and become one of the top slot receivers right away. Pittsburgh still has a glaring issue with its quarterback situation, as they wait for Aaron Rodgers to make his decision on his future with the team and in the NFL overall. However, the 2025 Most Outstanding Wide Receiver has the skillset to implement himself into the Steelers’ offense regardless of who is throwing the ball to him. Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson and Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin have shown that who the quarterback is doesn't always matter if you are a superstar receiver, and the Steelers believe that Lemon has all of the capabilities to become a superstar in the NFL.
