Steelers trade up in 2nd round for Alabama WR Germie Bernard

by Christina "Tina" Rivers (3Rivers_Writer) on April 24, 2026

On Friday night in Pittsburgh, the Steelers used some of their 2026 NFL Draft capital in a trade – with the Miami Dolphins – up in the second round to go after wide receiver. They selected Germie Bernard, a 6’1″, 206 lb. receiver from Alabama.

The Steelers made a move and got their WR!

With the 47th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers select:

Germie Bernard, wide receiver, Alabama! pic.twitter.com/BFwTmcvY3b

— 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 (@steelcityundrgr) April 25, 2026

The trade involved Pittsburgh giving up their Round 2 pick (53 overall), a Round 4 pick (135), and a Round 7 pick (237) in this year’s draft to Indianapolis in order to move up to No. 47 overall. The Steelers also received at 2026 Round 7 pick (249) in the deal.

Bernard began his collegiate football career at Michigan State (12 games as a reserve) before transferring to Washington (2023, 14 games). In 2024, at Alabama, Bernard led the Crimson Tide with 50 catches for 794 yards (15.9 ypr) and 2 touchdowns. In 2025, he once again led with 64 receptions, 862 receiving yards (13.5 per, 7 TDs, 14 starts).

Bernard fits right away as a WR3 candidate behind D.K. Metcalf and Michael Pittman. He’s a versatile wideout who has good size, accelerates to top speed quickly and is a smooth route runner with well-disguised breaks and clean footwork getting in and out.

Meeting that position versatile checkmark that head coach Mike McCarthy keeps locked-in on, Bernard can lineup in the slot or outside. He has full route tree and yards-after-catch capability that can stretch a field.

Lance Zierlein (NFL) player comparison: Robert Woods

Tough. Instinctive. Smart. Our kinda guy‼️ @oti_germie @AlabamaFTBL | 📺: 2026 NFL Draft April 23-25 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/KtvH0rcDNJ

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 25, 2026

The Steelers still have plenty of picks in this draft but have added a receiver that gives the offense a boost – and makes it potentially more explosive under offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio.