Football
For the first time since 1969, the Pittsburgh Steelers have an offensive-minded head coach.
After years of struggles under Mike Tomlin on the offensive side of the football, the switch to Mike McCarthy could really unlock things offensively for the Black and Gold, regardless of questions at the quarterback position.
To achieve that, the Steelers need to make some upgrades to the skill positions, particularly receiver.
For CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards, there is one 2026 NFL Draft prospect whom the Steelers should target in the first round to get the best out of the offense in 2026 and beyond.
It’s not a quarterback, either. Instead, it’s Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.
“The easy association would be Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. Even if Aaron Rodgers were to return, Simpson conceivably offers them a path to a long-term solution at the game’s most important position,” Edwards writes. “There is precedent for the franchise to go down this path after drafting Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. However, a scar from that decision and more recent information showing that they bypassed on a similar option, [Jaxson] Dart, last year suggests they may be opposed to that model. If Rodgers does not return, then they could have little choice in the matter.
“As it stands, Tyson would be a great complement to DK Metcalf. As Metcalf stretches the field vertically, Tyson has a more well-rounded skill set to create yards after the catch while also possessing the [speed] to attack vertically. Tyson has some soft-tissue injury concerns, but there is no questioning the talent.”
Tyson is one of the best receivers in the draft class and could hear his name called within the top 10 in April in Pittsburgh. But if he slides down the board due to some injury concerns, he could make a great deal of sense for the Steelers.
Listed at 6-2, 200 pounds, Tyson is a dynamic weapon in the passing game. Last season, Tyson hauled in 61 passes for 711 yards and eight touchdowns. Though he missed some time with a hamstring injury, he was a big-play weapon when on the field.
In our Tyson scouting report, Ryan Paglia graded him as a mid-to-late first-round talent.
“Tyson checks a lot of boxes as a prospect but is a raw route runner. Despite his flaws, his athletic ability will be enough to get him on the field. If he can clean up some parts of his game, he can be a plus starter in the NFL.”
The injury issues are a concern, especially the soft-tissue ones, but there’s no denying the talent on the field. The fact that he developed under former Steelers receiver and ASU WRs coach Hines Ward puts another feather in his cap when it comes to the Black and Gold.
With McCarthy calling the plays offensively, the Steelers desperately need a WR2 to pair with Metcalf. Whether that’s in free agency, early in the draft, or both, the Steelers need to figure out the receiver position if McCarthy’s West Coast offense is going to work.
Tyson could be a big part of that, if he’s available at No. 21 overall.
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