Grading the trade: Steelers make up for last night’s disaster after moving up six spots to select Alabama WR Germie Bernard
The Pittsburgh Steelers have moved up six spots in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft to select Alabama WR Germie Bernard. But was it a good pick? We grade the move here.
After last night’s disaster in their own backyard, it was safe to say that the Pittsburgh Steelers needed and still need a big day two of the 2026 NFL Draft. When round two started, and teams were taking players like Denzel Boston and Stribling from Ole Miss, it looked like the Steelers were just going to sit by and watch before pick 53 was on the board.
Instead, Omar Khan finally picked up his phone, called the Indianapolis Colts, and traded up six spots to land one of the best slot WRs in the draft.
Steelers trade up in round two, select Alabama WR Germie Bernard
The cost to move up six picks may have cost the Steelers three picks, but in terms of actual value, the only thing the Steelers gave up was a fourth rounder to get who I believe, is one of the best slot WRs in this class. In fact, I wrote a whole scouting report on Bernard…
What are the Steelers getting from Germie Bernard?
Germie Bernard has plenty of fans around the league due to his unusual, but unapologetic, play style at the WR position. A brawny build that resembles a running back, Bernard became the Crimson Tide’s most reliable wideout down the stretch of the 2025 season.
He’s not going to wow you with game-breaking speed or an over-the-top presence, but he does all the little things very well. For one, he’s very good at the catch point. He can pluck the ball off defenders’ heads. He also runs crisp routes, will block his tail off, has lined up at running back, and is a quarterback’s best friend. No, he’s not going to be a dominant boundary X, but he ran a sub-4.5 in Indianapolis, which is plenty of juice for a player with his archetype.
Final trade and selection of Germie Bernard grade: A
To only have to part ways with a fourth and a seventh while also adding one of the better slots in the class, who also fits like a glove in Pittsburgh, is excellent value from the Steelers.
Oh, and they still have three more picks on day two.
