The NFL Draft is officially here. Of course, it is super fitting that the Pittsburgh Steelers are the host team because they are going to be a team to watch in this first round. With a couple of different positions that need to be addressed, it will be fascinating to see what direction they go in on Thursday night.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox has an idea of which player the team could be interested in selecting in the first round to address one of its key needs. The player that Knox mentioned was Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr.
The Pittsburgh Steelers Need a WR
GettyOmar Khan first joined the Pittsburgh Steelers back in 2001.
Here is what Knox had to write on Thursday about the Steelers possibly looking to draft Cooper at pick No. 21 overall:
“Even after trading for Michael Pittman Jr., receiver depth is also a need. Expect prospects such as Indiana receiver Omar Cooper Jr. to interest the Steelers in Round 1.”
The Steelers have had some major changeover in the wide receiver room for the second consecutive season. They made a blockbuster move during free agency by acquiring two-time 1,000-yard receiver Michael Pittman Jr. from the Indianapolis Colts. However, veteran pass-catchers such as Calvin Austin III, Adam Thielen, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Scotty Miller are all on new teams, retired, or still sitting out on the free-agent market.
This offseason’s changeover at the wide receiver position for the team follows last offseason, which saw Pittsburgh trade for Pro Bowl wide receiver DK Metcalf and trade away former wide receiver George Pickens.
Omar Cooper Jr. Makes Total Sense for Pittsburgh
GettyWR Omar Cooper Jr. helped Indiana win its first-ever national title in 2025.
The Steelers have one of the league’s best wide receiver duos with Metcalf and Pittman now leading the way. Both are big-bodied wide receivers who can be trusted in significant moments. However, there is not much production behind both of them. Aside from Metcalf, the Steelers didn’t have another wide receiver record at least 500 receiving yards last season. In fact, former running back Kenneth Gainwell led the team in receptions with 73.
This team needs more consistency and productivity at the position if it wants to contend in a big way this upcoming season. Cooper Jr. was one of the most productive pass-catchers in college football last year, which is why he could be the perfect fit for Pittsburgh when it comes on the clock at No. 21.
A Second-Team All-Big Ten wide receiver in 2025, Cooper more than showed off his greatness while playing for head coach Curt Cignetti. During his career year, the Indianapolis native ended up recording 69 receptions for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was the only wide receiver in the Big Ten last season to notch 65+ receptions, 900+ receiving yards, and 13+ touchdowns. If the Steelers can find a way to draft him when they hop on the clock, opposing teams might want to look out. Regardless of who is at quarterback, drafting a receiver seems to be the best pick here.
Steelers Expected to Have Interest in Drafting National Champion WR