The Pittsburgh Steelers usually have a strong physical presence on offense, even at wide receiver. The Steelers could add to that element of their team with a big-strong wideout to start opposite D.K. Metcalf next season.
On Wednesday, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac named two receivers he really likes in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. It just so happens that each are physical, and the Steelers like both of them — Omar Cooper Jr. and Malachi Fields.
“My two favorite WRs in the draft are Cooper and Fields,” Dulac wrote in his weekly reader chat, via Steelers Depot’s Jake Brockhoff. “And the Steelers like them both.”
Standing at 6-foot-4 and 218 points, Fields is the bigger of the two. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared Fields to Indianapolis Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr.
“Boundary “X” receiver who uses elite size and strength to bully defensive backs,” Zierlein wrote. “Fields might never be a star, but his traits, playing style and ball skills should make him a productive WR2 in time.”
Cooper is six-feet tall and 204 pounds. But Zierlein still referred to Indiana product as a type of bully too.
“Big, strong target whose two-year rise is bolstered by translatable tape,” Zierlein wrote. “While he was a full-time slot receiver in 2025, Cooper has played outside, as well.
“Cooper is an ascending slot bully with Day 2 value.”
Could Steelers Draft Omar Cooper to Start Opposite D.K. Metcalf?
A lot of NFL mock drafts have the Steelers targeting a receiver in the first round at No. 21. Waiting on drafting a receiver, though, could make a lot of sense for Pittsburgh.
There’s still about two months to go in the draft process, which could change things. But Cooper and Fields are each first-round talents which could be available after the first round because of the deep 2026 wide receiver class.
Cooper was a down field threat throughout his career at Indiana. As a sophomore in 2024, he led the Big Ten with 21.2 yards per catch. Then on the 15-0 team during 2025, he had 69 receptions, 937 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.
It would be a major boost to the Steelers offense to have that kind of receiver opposite Metcalf, who is also big, strong and fast.
“[Cooper] can stem and drive past press with his strength. He has potent early acceleration to climb past nickelbacks into top position to challenge deep,” Zierlein wrote. “His routes lack polish and he has average in-and-out quickness at break-points, but he’s rugged once the ball is in his hands.
“His ability to add yards after contact could earn Cooper more carries than we saw from him at Indiana. Fighting for catch space and blocking for the running game are areas where he needs improvement.”
Malachi Fields Another Potential Steelers Target
The Steelers are notorious for drafting receivers on Day 2 of the draft, particularly the second round.
This year, Day 2 could be an excellent time to select a wideout to potentially start opposite Metcalf. Not only is 2026 a deep receiver class, but the Steelers have four selections on Day 2.
Three of those picks are in the third round.
The question with Cooper and/or Fields is whether they will still be on the board when the Steelers pick at No. 53 overall on Day 2. Some draft analysts have rated Cooper and Fields as a top five receiver in the class.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah had both wideouts in his top 50 prospects. Cooper sat at No. 19 on Jeremiah’s last top 50 prospect rankings.
In one season at Notre Dame, Fields posted 17.5 yards per catch during 2025. From 2021-24, he averaged 14.3 yards per reception over four seasons at Virginia.
He also scored five touchdowns in each of the past three college seasons.
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