Germie Bernard shakes defender for 13-yard score

Not a glowing review. Combine Bernard’s struggles with the idea that the Steelers might remain run-heavy this year (also espoused by Solak) and it feels like Bernard might just be a deep-league bench option this year. It should be noted that the overwhelming majority of the drumbeat about Bernard this offseason has been positive, so perhaps this was just an off-day.

The rookie second-rounder joins an offense that includes established veterans on the outside in D.K. Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr., so a slot role may be his best path to early playing time. DeFabo is already on record as saying that he believes Bernard “has a good shot” at early playing time this season, a point he reiterated in his latest article. It’s hard to imagine Bernard having much fantasy upside this season given the veteran presence in the receiver room, but for those holding Bernard in dynasty leagues, it sounds like the rookie has gotten off to a good start ahead of his first NFL training camp, which is set to kick off next month.

DeFabo calls Roman Wilson the WR3 “at this exact moment,” which isn’t exactly a qualifier that lends to us believing that Wilson will be there at the end of training camp after his first few lost seasons. Bernard “has a really high floor” per DeFabo’s looks at OTAs and we wouldn’t be surprised if he had a role in his first season. It’s hard to see how it would be more than mildly fantasy interesting behind DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman, but perhaps Bernard can establish himself for a bigger 2027.

Bernard’s signing comes on the Steelers’ first day of voluntary OTAs. The former Alabama prospect who was drafted 47th overall last month is hoping to make an early impact as a rookie despite joining a crowded receiver room that includes D.K. Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. as its top targets. Bernard totaled 64 receptions for 862 yards and seven touchdowns in his final season with the Crimson Tide while playing 62.2 percent of his snaps on the outside, per PFF. That said, Bernard also has ample experience playing from the slot, which should give him an inside edge for early playing time in three-receiver sets.

Bernard (6’1/206) spent two years as a backup, split between Michigan State and Washington, during his underclassmen years. It’s normally fair to point out a lack of early-career production as a red flag, but it’s hard to blame him for not producing while parked behind Jayden Reed, Keon Coleman, Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan over those two seasons. Finally at Alabama in 2024, Bernard logged a team-high 50 receptions for 794 yards and two scores. He again led the Crimson Tide in catches in 2025 with 64 and turned that into 862 yards and seven scores while also running for 101 yards and two scores on 18 attempts. Bernard is slippery with the ball in his hands and can win at any level of the field, even if he makes his money on short and intermediate looks. He also has over 500 career routes from the slot and out wide each, meaning he should have no issues playing whatever role his NFL team needs. Bernard isn’t lightning-fast on tape and a 4.48 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine is solid, but nothing to write home about. He should stick around the league for a long time, though it’s fair to question the ceiling of his fantasy outlook.

Bernard, a projected day two pick in the 2026 draft, also visited the Browns and Raiders earlier in the draft process. The 22-year-old tallied 64 receptions for 862 yards and seven touchdowns for Alabama last season, earning a Senior Bowl invite, though he did not partake in the event. He led Alabama in receptions for two straight seasons and has the production to be an impactful receiver at the next level. The Steelers and Falcons are both looking for WR2s while the Browns and Raiders need any pass-catching help they can get with young offenses. All four teams should be in play to draft Bernard once the second round begins.

Reeling in Michael Pittman Jr. was a big move for the offense, but the Steelers have major depth issues with Calvin Austin moving on and several Aaron Rodgers-based veterans free agents and/or retired. Roman Wilson currently holds the No. 3 slot on the depth chart, and we all know Rodgers isn’t about to let that happen if he returns.

Watt isn’t expected to get his usual amount of snaps, but the future Hall of Famer will be able to held as a pass-rusher in sub-packages in the winner-take-all game. The Steelers inactives for Week 18 will be WR Roman Wilson, QB Will Howard, RB Kaleb Johnson, CB Tre Flowers, LB Jeremiah Moon and OT Jack Driscoll.

It’s a strange thing to say about a wideout who has been a healthy scratch for three straight weeks as veteran journeyman Adam Thielen plays ahead of him. Tomlin said if Metcalf’s two-game suspension is upheld this week, Wilson — who has 166 yards and two touchdowns this season — will have a chance “to show his professionalism and his readiness and how he’s been sharpening his sword for battle.” Calvin Austin III and Thielen could also see an increase in routes and targets if Metcalf if out in Week 17 against the Browns. The Steelers are likely to revert to a run-heavy offense without their top receiver.

That was quick. Five days after signing the former Vikings wideout, the Steelers will have him active in the biggest game of the season. It would be a surprise if Thielen was used as anything more than a rotational slot receiver for now. He appears to have surpassed Roman Wilson on the Pittsburgh depth chart. Steelers declared WR Roman Wilson, DT Derrick Harmon, SS Kyle Dugger, OT Calvin Anderson, DT Brodric Martin, WR Ke’Shawn Williams, and QB Will Howard inactive for Week 14.