The 2026 NFL draft is just weeks away, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have some business to do, as do the other teams in the league, when it comes to perfecting their 2026-27 lineup. The draft, which is entering its 91st year, is scheduled for April 23 through 25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
So, what’s the most important thing for the Steelers going into this draft? They have to make potential quarterback Aaron Rodgers happy. In a Wednesday, April 1 feature for Yahoo Sports, NFL analysts Nate Tice and Charles McDonald give their picks for the 2026 NFL draft, and as the date approaches, these predictions tend to be more accurate.
“With the NFL spring meetings this week in Phoenix, team owners, coaches and general managers are meeting with media to offer updates on offseason news,” they state in the piece. “That includes answering questions about the 2026 NFL Draft.”
These two think the Steelers will go with Jordyn Tyson out of Arizona State with their No. 21 pick.
“The Steelers have one wide receiver spot set with DK Metcalf, but they’re still severely lacking options beyond him,” they note in the piece. “They get a potential blessing with Tyson falling to the lower portion of the first round.”
They add, “At his best, and healthiest, Tyson is a bully when the ball is in the air. He shows real upside to grow into an NFL WR1. Who will be throwing the ball for Pittsburgh still needs to be settled, but that’s nothing new for a Steelers offseason.”
Tyson’s NFL draft profile says that he’s learned “from Super Bowl XL MVP Hines Ward,” which “helped unlock Tyson’s production and elevated his draft stock.”
“He’s added size and improved his route running over the last two years, showing he can align at all three receiver spots,” the NFL profile adds. “He occasionally rushes the route but has the short-area quickness and contested-catch toughness to find chain-moving grabs in high-leverage moments.”
On the downside, “he’s not a blazer but has enough speed to work down the field. Also, he has the ball skills and body control to win above the rim with timing on 50/50 throws.” But, “scouts say he puts in the time to absorb knowledge and hone his craft.”