Steelers' target Denzel Boston of Washington offers explosive playmaking potential to address the glaring receiver need.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have an acute need for wide receivers.
In his first year with the Steelers, DK Metcalf had 59 receptions for 850 yards and six touchdowns in 2025. It was a good season, but Pittsburgh expected more after acquiring Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks in an offseason trade and signing him to a five-year, $150-million contract extension. The rest of the Steelers' receivers combined for just 77 catches, 866 yards, and seven TDs.
So it is little surprise that Ourlads Scouting Service projects the Steelers to select Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston in the first round of the draft with the 21st overall pick.
Boston had 62 receptions for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, his fourth in the program, and helped Washington go 9-4 and beat Boise State in the LA Bowl. Those statistics were like the numbers he posted in 2024, which included 63 catches, 834 yards, and nine scores.
During his first two seasons with the Huskies, Boston played sparingly. He had just seven receptions for 66 yards.
Arizona safety Genesis Smith is projected to be Pittsburgh's second-round choice. He had 77 tackles, two forced fumbles, and one interception last season when the Wildcats finished 9-4 and lost to SMU in the Holiday Bowl.
Smith finished his three-year career at Arizona with 164 tackles, five interceptions, and four forced fumbles in 37 games.
The Steelers have three selections in the third round, and Ourlads has them taking Oregon offensive guard Emmanuel Pregnon, Georgia cornerback Daylen Everette, and Texas A&M linebacker Taurean York.
Pregnon helped anchor the line for Oregon, which lost to eventual national champion Indiana in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Peach Bowl last season and finished 13-2. He spent two seasons at both Wyoming and USC before transferring to Oregon.
Everette made 50 tackles and intercepted one pass last season. York had 73 tackles and one sack.
Pittsburgh went 10-8 last year and won its first AFC North title since 2020. They were then routed by the Houston Texans 30-6 in a Wild Card playoff game. Coach Mike Tomlin resigned the following day after 19 seasons and was replaced by Mike McCarthy.
Pittsburgh will host the draft from April 23-25.
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