Steelers Now
Former Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon gave Pittsburgh Steelers’ second-round pick Germie Bernard a ringing endorsement by comparing him to Tampa Bay Buccaneers All-Pro wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr.
“One of my favorite guys,” Carthorn said Wednesday on his With the First Pick podcast. “I think he can play all three positions — X, Z, and he can definitely play the F. I’m gonna push back a little bit. I don’t know that he’s gonna primarily play the slot.
“I think he’s gonna play outside at Z and they’ll put Michael Pittman in the slot, a bigger guy that’d be able to use his size. But I like his versatility. To me, this is a Chris Godwin clone in the way he plays the game.”
Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports expects Bernard to have an instant impact in McCarthy’s offense. Bernard is expected to be the Steelers’ third receiver, behind DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr.
“They have DK Metcalf, they traded for Michael Pittman Jr., and now, they get the missing piece at wide receiver three in Germie Bernard, who was one of my favorite receivers in this draft class,” Wilson said. “He is the best route runner. He’s not going to blow you away with 4.3 speed, although he did run sub-4.5.
“But he does everything well. The thing I love about Germie, and Ty Simpson told us this as well, he is always where his quarterback expects him to be. He’s gonna have a chance to eat, I feel like, because if teams are focused on DK and Michael Pittman Jr., we know that Germie, based on the way he played at Alabama, is going to get open.”
The Steelers heavily scouted Bernard ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. Pittsburgh brought Bernard in for a pre-draft visit and had a formal meeting with him at the NFL Combine.
Coming out of Alabama, Bernard brings a skill set shaped in one of college football’s most demanding systems. Known for his polished route running, ability to create separation, and sure hands on money downs, with only four drops on 232 career third down targets, he has shown flashes of being a reliable target in both short and intermediate areas. His experience against top-tier SEC competition only adds to his appeal. Bernard was a 2-year starter at Alabama after transferring from Washington, he finished his senior season with 64 catches for 862 yards and 7 touchdowns, averaging 13.5 yards per reception.
Bernard, who started his college career at Michigan State, is a Las Vegas native. He played his high school ball at Liberty High School in Henderson, Nevada. Bernard and Steelers offensive tackle Troy Fautanu were high school teammates in 2018. Bernard was a freshman and Fautanu a senior. Bernard reconnected with Fautanu at Washington in 2023, as well.
Bernard led Alabama in receptions in each of the last two seasons. He is a versatile receiver who is not afraid to do the dirty work. He’s a willing blocker,...
