Coming off a 25-10 loss on Sunday night to the Los Angeles Chargers, it’s clear that one area of need for the Pittsburgh Steelers is at the wide receiver position.
While quarterback is an obvious need following the season whether Aaron Rodgers decides to return, an area of need for the Steelers will be to find a complementary receiver to D.K. Metcalf in the offense, but most importantly another star playmaker.
After failing to add that player at the NFL trade deadline, the Steelers can set their eyes on the 2026 NFL Draft where there are some intriguing wideout prospects who could fit that role, especially where the Steelers are expected to select in the draft. Perhaps out of range to select one of the top quarterback prospects, a couple of recent NFL mock drafts has the Steelers taking a specific wide receiver.
CBS Sports NFL Mock Draft: Steelers take USC star wideout at No. 20
One prospect to keep an eye on is USC’s Makai Lemon who is clearly a top 5 wide receiver prospect and a player who could give the Steelers’ offense that explosive player they are looking for who can dominate the middle of the field and be an outside threat on the other side of Metcalf.
In his latest NFL Mock Draft, CBS Sportswriter Josh Edwards has the Steelers selecting Lemon just in front of Washington’s Denzel Boston. Due to his speed and slot receiver versatility, the USC star would be the perfect complement to D.K Metcalf in the Steelers’ offense.
He writes:
“Few teams were as aggressive in their pursuit of wide receiver help as Pittsburgh at the trade deadline. Although the Steelers came up short, they're able to quench their thirst for a complement to DK Metcalf with the selection of Makai Lemon. And if they're drafting this far back, they'll be out of range to trade up for one of the perceived top quarterback prospects anyway.”
What’s interesting is when Metcalf was first dealt to the Steelers, the team still had George Pickens on the roster, which would’ve made an interesting duo. In trading Pickens, the Steelers were put their faith in Calvin Austin III and 2024 NFL Draft third round pick Roman Wilson to step up in that role. Neither have filled that role and now the Steelers will have their eyes on a receiver who can be the type of complement to Metcalf that Jaxson Smith-Njigba was when Metcalf suited up for the Seattle Seahawks.
Can Lemon be that prize at wide receiver?
PFF post-trade deadline NFL Mock Draft: Lemon a perfect fit for Steelers
Edwards is not the only one in love with Lemon as a fantastic fit for the Steelers. In PFF’s latest NFL mock draft, Lemon is again noted as a perfect complement to Metcalf. With the Steelers linked to wide receivers like Chris Olave, A.J. Brown and Rashid Shaheed in NFL trade deadline rumors, the team will have a wide receiver high on their 2026 NFL Draft board and Lemon should fall right in their range.
PFF’s Trevor Sikkema writes:
“Lemon is one of the best separators in the wide receiver class, which is exactly what the Steelers need to complement D.K. Metcalf. He’s a slot-only type of receiver but has an 89.8 PFF receiving grade and is averaging a very impressive 3.29 yards per route run this season, showcasing how often USC wants the ball in his hands.”
Given the Steelers’ top needs as of Week 11 of the 2025 NFL season, Lemon is a great choice as a mid-to-late first round pick. NFL Mocks gives this pick a thumbs up, however, could the Steelers use their top pick on a quarterback?
Unless the team trades up and nabs one of the top 4 quarterbacks in the 2026 NFL Draft, there is a chance they can stand pat and take a quarterback who was projected as one of those top picks prior to the 2025 college football season. That prospect is LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier who NFL Mocks has the Steelers selecting at No. 20 in it's latest full first round NFL Mock Draft.
The reason CBS Sports and PFF have the Steelers selecting an explosive offensive weapon like Lemon is there is a chance Pittsburgh could land a QB prospect like Nussmeier later Day 2, or the team could bring in another veteran to fill the void. With either of those options a duo of Metcalf and Lemon would be great. With Aaron Rodgers unlikely to return for another season, the first goal for the Steelers should be finding their next QB for 2026 and beyond.
There will be options via trade, free agency and in the draft. The path they take could determine how they approach the 2026 NFL Draft and who they use that first round pick on.