The Pittsburgh Steelers are on the verge of reshaping their offensive identity, and all signs point to the 2026 NFL Draft as the next major milestone. With the departure of a top-tier playmaker and a glaring gap in their receiving corps, the franchise is reportedly eyeing a dynamic college standout. The potential replacement brings both production and versatility, two traits the Steelers now desperately need.
Steelers May Eye Kevin Concepcion as Successor to George Pickens
The ripple effect of George Pickens’ departure continues to reverberate throughout the Steelers organization. The franchise’s decision to send their leading receiver to the ͏Dallas Cowboys in exchange for ͏a package centered around͏ a 2026 third-round pick marked a turning point in the Steelers’ roster construction.͏
Over͏ his three years with the team, Pickens totalled 1͏74 catches, 2,841 receiving yards,͏ ͏and 1͏2 touchdowns. Beyond the stats, he was a deep-threat weapon and, at times, a source of internal tension.
His exit was not isolated. With Najee Harris and Russell Wilson also leaving the roster, the Steelers’ offense now leans heavily on DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin III, neither of whom offers the route-running polish or versatility that Pickens brought. The front office, in response, appears ready to invest in youth and explosive potential.
Don’t forget about TAMU’s Kevin Concepcion as a 2026 NFL Draft WR prospect.
Listed at 5’11”, 190. Put up 839 yards and 10 touchdowns as a true freshman at NC State.
Small but shifty and well-balanced with suitable speed. Flashes great situational instincts, too, as shown below: pic.twitter.com/duejNxcN1O
— Ian Cummings (@IC_Draft) June 23, 2025
Kevin Concepcion, a name that has risen quickly in offseason draft rankings, is predicted in PFSN’s latest 3-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft to be selected at No. 51 by Pittsburgh to continue to build on their youth investment.
After setting freshman records at NC State with 71 receptions for 839 yards and 10 touchdowns, Concepcion transferred to Texas A&M, continuing his upward trajectory. Across two seasons with the Wolfpack, he compiled 124 receptions for 1,299 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Co͏ncepcion possesses the precise skill͏ set today’s offenses look for, with sharp route-͏running ability ͏and a ͏dangerous presence ͏once the ball is in his hands.
His ͏ability to contribute both from the slot and outside͏ aligns perfectly with the Steelers’ need for͏ a W͏R1 who can͏ ͏separate from defenders and make plays in open space. More notably, he led Power Four wipeouts with ͏16 touchdowns, a stat that cements ͏his status as a consistent scoring threat.
C͏oncepcion’s reputation for ͏reliability, vision, and production fits well within the Steelers’ longstanding tradition of hard-nosed, high-performing ͏receivers. With Pick͏ens gone, the Steelers need a player who can deliver from Day 1, and Concepcion͏’s ͏résumé suggests he’s͏ built for that role.
Currently projected as a fourth-round pick,͏ Concepcion could be available when ͏the Steelers go ͏on ͏the ͏clock͏. For͏ ͏a͏ team amid ͏an ͏offensive reset, selecting a versatile, proven playmaker could prove to be the cornerstone of their͏ next chapter.