New Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy raved about the pieces already in place on the team’s roster in his introductory press conference Tuesday. But that doesn’t mean McCarthy’s offense couldn’t use more weaponry.
Historically, the Steelers have liked adding wide receivers on Day 2 of the draft. But in a new mock draft released Tuesday, Yahoo Sports’ Charles McDonald and Nate Trice projected the Steelers to break away from their usual strategy to select a wideout in the first round.
In the new mock draft, McDonald and Trice slotted USC wide receiver Makai Lemon at No. 21 overall to Pittsburgh.
“The Steelers might not traditionally take wide receivers in the first round, but after their 2025 passing attack faltered time and again outside of deep forays to DK Metcalf and a bevy of tight end targets, I think it’ll be OK for them to break tradition and add some juice to their pass catching group,” wrote McDonald and Trice. “Lemon’s play style (he was primarily a slot player at USC) pairs nicely with Metcalf as well as Mike McCarthy’s quick-hitting offense, and gives this offense an underneath weapon that can actually create something.”
Predicting the Steelers to break away from their normal practices makes a lot of sense with McCarthy at the helm. The team’s offense should be a bigger priority than it was with Mike Tomlin in charge.
The Steelers have already broken tradition this offseason too. The 62-year-old is the first offensive-minded head coach the Steelers have had in the Super Bowl era.
Why Mike McCarthy’s Steelers Need More Receiver Help
Again, there’s likely to be a much bigger emphasis on offense going forward in Pittsburgh with McCarthy. In a perfect world, the Steelers would find their quarterback of the future this offseason.
But that’s going to be hard to do. It’s also quite possible the team welcomes back Aaron Rodgers for one more season.
McCarthy made it very clear in his Tuesday press conference he would love Rodgers to return to the Steelers for 2026.
So, adding a receiver such as Lemon is a great plan if a quarterback is not attainable. D.K. Metcalf was Pittsburgh’s only wideout with at least 375 receiving yards last season.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared Lemon with Detroit Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown. A receiver with similar skills as the Lions All-Pro wideout would be a great complement to Metcalf’s speed and big-play ability.
“High-skill, high-volume slot receiver with average size but extraordinary ball skills. Lemon has room for refinement, but not much,” Zierlein wrote. “He’s intelligent, confident and polished with the ability to make plays on all three levels. Tempo-driven route-runner who misdirects man coverage and separates out of turns but is fairly average after the catch.
“Lemon is a plug-and-play, quarterback-friendly talent with first-round value and Pro Bowl upside.”
When’s the Last Time the Steelers Drafted a WR in the First Round?
The Steelers have drafted and developed plenty of wide receivers in the 21st century. But just not very many in the first round.
Actually, the last time the Steelers picked a wideout on Day 1, McCarthy was just beginning his tenure with the Green Bay Packers.
In 2006, the Steelers traded up to select Santonio Holmes at No. 25 overall. Holmes spent just four years in Pittsburgh but won Super Bowl MVP in February 2009.
After later round picks Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson failed to secure the WR2 role in 2025, it might be time for the Steelers to finally pick a real stud at the position. Adding a young wideout to begin the McCarthy era makes a lot of sense.
Steelers Predicted to ‘Break Tradition’ to Add Playmaker to Mike McCarthy’s Offense