One of the primary focuses for the Pittsburgh Steelers heading into free agency was finding a reliable No. 2 wide receiver to team up with DK Metcalf.
There was some speculation that the Steelers could target a wide receiver with the No. 21 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, they decided to trade for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., which now opens up a lot more opportunities for Pittsburgh at No. 21.
Since the Steelers traded for Pittman, they can now focus on defense with their first-round pick, as CBS Sports NFL writer Josh Edwards suggested should be Pittsburgh’s strategy.
Edwards published a mock draft on Friday and has the Steelers taking Georgia’s linebacker CJ Allen at No. 21.
“By trading for Michael Pittman Jr., Pittsburgh alleviated some of the pressure to acquire another receiver,” Edwards wrote. “The Steelers don’t have many pressing needs in the present, but they’re an older team that should be looking to get younger. The hope is that CJ Allen and Payton Wilson can be the battery of the future.”
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Allen played three seasons at Georgia, recording a combined total of 205 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss over 41 games. He could be a valuable addition to Pittsburgh’s defense.
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