Germie Bernard: What's the Week 6 Appeal?
Michael Pittman Jr. is on IR, Roman Wilson will miss multiple weeks, and Ben Skowronek is out. That leaves Pittsburgh with DK Metcalf, rookie Germie Bernard, fellow rookie Kaden Wetjen, and special teams ace Brandon Smith.
Wetjen is a speedster who can author big plays if he gets behind the defense or into the open field with a running start. His superpower is yards after the catch.
Smith is a six-year veteran UDFA the Cowboys signed as a rookie from Iowa in 2021. Smith has worked with five NFL teams and two stints with the DC Defenders. He's a possession receiver against zone coverage who has some skill with contested grabs.
Smith is physical but slower than average. His best work has come on special teams.
Wetjen offers big-play volatility that could lead to starter production in Week 6 if the Steelers can get him into open space. The receiver with the best shot to deliver volume and fantasy-level production is Bernard.
Last week, Bernard delivered a 9-target, 6-catch, and 80-yard day against the Colts. The box score watchers see the results and the Steelers' empty depth chart and instantly glom onto Bernard, a heralded rookie from Alabama.
Is this the right call? Is there a chance for value all year? What about long-term? Let's take a dive into Bernard's game, how it currently fits with the Steelers' offense, and what to project moving forward.
Germie Bernard: His Role with the Steelers Thus Far
One of the strengths of Bernard's game is his skill after the catch. In multiple games, we've seen the Steelers use him on in-breaking routes as an extension of the ground game: In-breaking screens, slants, digs, over routes, and posts.
The idea is to get Bernard the ball on the move against an open zone or behind blockers and hope he can break a big play. His targets are mostly within 5-15 yards of the line of scrimmage, and most of those are in the shorter ranges.
Germie Bernard #STeelers Same route vs NE in Week 2 Underhand clap attack but wins vs contact. https://t.co/mgMuygn53v
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) October 14, 2026
Germie Bernard #Steelers Slant -Double up with outside foot. - Wipe counter vs. DB - Sharp turn of shoulders - Underhand bucket catch, clapping with arms extended - Wins despite wrapped at catch point https://t.co/mZimCOvLlY
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) October 14, 2026
Germie Bernard #Steelers Variation on the same route themes from earlier posts on him in this game -- in-breaking route and underhand attack with bucket catch against frame. Taking contact and maintaining possession. Executing the role given to him effectively. https://t.co/TyNiVlZUrw
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) October 14, 2026
Germie Bernard #Steelers - Adjusts pacing and stride length outside the hash to let blocks develop - Slight acceleration near numbers to stretch the DB outside the numbers and set up the blocker. - Attacks the crease and gets his heels high through backside pursuit. Good run https://t.co/UjQNMxHStJ
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) October 14, 2026
Germie Bernard #Steelers -Sinks low into stance before release - Head and eyes up through stem - Snaps head to QB at break. - Flatten's out break in the open zone - Good turn behind break path for the catch to get back to first hitters. - Bucket catch with only slight fighting of the ball - Secures in time to deal with multiple points of contact
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) October 14, 2026
Bernard runs these routes effectively, and we're seeing contested catches. This is a good sign because his technique as a pass catcher was problematic situationally at Alabama. We'll get into that in a moment
Pittsburgh is using him effectively as an outside runner breaking inside from the perimeter or getting the ball over the middle on the second level. He's making the easy catches. If Bernard gets 6-8 targets in Week 6, you're looking at 80-100 yards and possibly a touchdown. That gives you a puncher's chance at starter value in many leagues.