The NFL Draft has finally arrived, with the Pittsburgh Steelers as its hosts. As the North Shore will be packed with fans, the Steelers brass will be locked away in their war room conducting the draft on the team’s behalf.
After months of preparation, the visits, interviews, and workouts are complete, and the board is final. Weighing what we know about the Steelers’ pre-draft process, the franchise and Mike McCarthy’s history, and my own research, these items are what I believe we can expect from the Steelers 2026 draft.
WR in Round 1
The need at WR has been well-documented ever since Omar Khan took over as General Manager. The need is magnified by new head coach Mike McCarthy’s WR-heavy offense. D.K. Metcalf and Michael Pittman are great fits, but another starting-caliber WR is still needed to fill out 11 personnel, which is expected to be used heavily this season.
The team met with six 1st round talent WRs at the combine and brought two of them to Pittsburgh as “30 visits”. Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, and Jordyn Tyson are expected to be off the board within the first 15 picks, leaving them out of the Steelers’ range at 21. With so much draft capital in their pocket, a trade-up is possible, however unlikely.
Offensive line is a possibility in round 1, after the team brought in Olaivavega Ioane and Spencer Fano, but both players are expected to be off the board before pick 21. If either fall, I would expect they would be the selection with such tremendous value being difficult to ignore
Round 1 candidates: Denzel Boston, Omar Cooper Jr., Olaivavega Ioane, K.C. Concepcion
DB is a Sneaky Early Need
The team added a pair of defensive backs in free agency, but that does not mean they are finished at that position. Jamel Dean and Jaquan Brisker were solid additions, with Dean to play opposite Joey Porter Jr., and Jaquan Brisker’s role undefined; there is still a need for youth, depth, and speed.
The new defensive coordinator, Patrick Graham, indicated that they will play a heavy dose of nickel, with Ramsey being used in a variety of roles, which was the case entering last offseason, though it never panned out.
The Steelers have had pre-draft meetings with a bevvy of defensive backs, making their draft intentions clear, as they often do. Free safety remains the top question mark. Ramsey played there last year, but I believe they prefer to move him around. Brisker is capable, but projects better as a “big nickel”.
Jamel Dean fits the Steelers’ boundary corner prototype perfectly, but will turn 30 in October, making boundary corner of the future a sneaky need. The team met with my top 7 corners, making it apparent they are in the market.
Corner, safety, or a hybrid of both are on the Steelers’ radar, and I expect to see one chosen by the end of day 2.
Defensive back candidates: Treydan Stukes, Dillon Thieneman, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Chris Johnson
Mid-Round, Developmental OL
Recent news of Broderick Jones’ “setback” was shot down by Omar Khan at the pre-draft presser, leaving even more question marks at left tackle. We do know this – the Steelers have done their homework on this year’s tackle class. They have met with 5 tackle-capable players: Monroe Freeling, Kadyn Proctor, Markel Bell, Travis Burke, and the aforementioned Spencer Fano.
Freeling, Proctor, and Fano will all be off the board early, but Bell and Burke qualify as mid-round picks in need of some development.
Guard hasn’t been ignored either. Spencer Anderson is penciled in as the starter at LG, but pre-draft visits indicate that the staff may be interested in an upgrade. Ioane, Spencer (who can play guard), and Keylan Rutledge head up the Steelers pre-draft visits, but again will all be gone by the end of round 2. Candidates who should be available deeper in the draft, such as Beau Stephens and Bill Schrauth, have also been of interest to the Steelers.
Mike McCarthy and offensive line coach James Campen found success together in Green Bay by attacking OL in the mid rounds, drafting Josh Sitton, T.J. Lang, David Bakhtiari, and Corey Linsley in the 4th round or later. Those 4 players alone combined for 436 games started in their Packers careers.
If the board doesn’t fall in the Steelers’ favor to draft offensive line early, they will most certainly add depth and developmental players in the middle rounds.
Mid-round offensive line candidates: Markel Bell, Travis Burke, Beau Stephens
Special Teams
The new coaching staff brings with them a new special teams coach, Danny Crossman. The Steelers have historically made room for strong special teams players on their roster, and I do not expect that to change. Special teams staples such as Connor Heyward, James Pierre, and Miles Killebrew departed in the offseason, making way for more bodies to be added to the mix.
Carson Bruener and Ben Skowronek return and will head up the unit, but more additions are needed. I expect the Steelers to use late draft picks to target roster depth with strong special teams backgrounds. Khalil Dinkins and Jack Kelly were both pre-draft visits who could be in play as late-round picks with a chance to make the final 53.
Finding a reliable kick returner is also an underrated need, as both return men from last year are no longer on the team. With WR being such a heavy need, I would expect the Steelers to double up on the position, with at least one of the selections having strong kick return ability. K.C. Concpcion could get the nod above other similarly graded receivers in round 1 due to his added kick return value.
Special teams candidates: Khalil Dinkins, Jack Kelly
Kick return candidates: K.C. Concepcion, Kendrick Law, Antonio Williams
TE3
After carrying 4 tight ends throughout 2025, only 2 remain. Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington are the only tight ends on the roster, but that will not last. The team will certainly carry 3, with the final spot being used in jumbo packages, special teams, and of course, as depth in case of injury.
The position will not likely be heavily involved as a pass catcher on Sundays, but may be asked to help out in the run game. McCarthy traditionally favors having a fullback on the roster, so I am expecting the TE3 to also serve in that role. The prospects they have been connected to suggest this as well.
Pre-draft visits, such as Will Kacmarek and Marlin Klein, are known for their blocking as much as any skill. A mid to late round pick will most certainly be spent on TE.
TE3 candidates: Marlin Klein, Will Kacmarek, Oscar Delp
Trades
12 selections in a single draft is far too many, especially for a team with an established roster. The team will not make 12 selections this weekend, but how will they choose to move their picks?
The goal is QB in 2027 – that is very clear. It’s also known to be a much better draft class, making its picks more valuable. The goal will be to trade 2026 picks for capital in 2027, preparing for flexibility in drafting the next franchise QB. They will need trade partners, though, which could be a problem as many clubs view the draft class the same – as weak.
The surplus of picks gives the team the ability to move around the board and draft the players they desire most. If they are unable to obtain 2027 draft picks, they will certainly package them to draft prospects higher on their board, rather than a higher quantity of players.
Trade outlook: Steelers end the draft with fewer than 10 selections made
No QB Drafted
The team’s top need is clearly QB, although it’s rarely talked about. Drafting a high-profile QB has been the plan “next year” for two years now, and I believe it will stand true. Will Howard was drafted in the 6th round in 2025 and has created plenty of buzz around Pittsburgh, and for good reason.
Ownership, front office, and coaching staff alike appear genuinely interested in developing Howard, or at least giving him an opportunity to maximize his growth in 2026. He’ll be taking QB1 reps in offseason activities with no Aaron Rodgers in sight, and I believe that’s part of the plan. The Steelers are in no hurry to have Rodgers on the field because it gives them an extended look at Howard—more time to find out if he can be the guy.
Rightfully so, the Steelers have done due diligence on many QBs in this class. Many are enamored with the likes of Drew Allar, Ty Simpson, and Taylen Green, but I believe the Steelers are just kicking the tires. The plan is clearly to run it back with Rodgers in order to compete on Sundays, meanwhile loading up on Howard for a year behind the scenes to determine if he can be QB1 going forward. Adding another young QB would just muddy those waters.
Result: No QBs drafted, late-round “camp arm”/practice squad QB
Other Notes
- Patrick Queen is playing on a contract year, with opposite starter Payton Wilson’s contract expiring after next season. The team has been doing homework on linebackers, and it would not come as a shock to see one selected, perhaps within the first two days. Queen has been brought up with trade rumors, though I don’t believe he will ultimately be moved.
- Edge Trade Rumors: Nick Herbig is due a contract extension, which would tie up a lot of cap space in one position, considering the contracts of Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt. There are rumors that one of the edge rushers could be on the trade market. Watt is and will be a lifelong Steeler. Herbig is yet to show his true potential, playing spot duty as the 3rd rusher. If anyone is to be moved, it’s Highsmith. Jack Sawyer showed steady progression throughout his rookie year and is a similar type of player to Highsmith. Herbig would start opposite Watt, while Sawyer eats up some run-downs and spells both Watt and Herbig. There should be a viable trade market for Alex Highsmith – everyone needs to get to the QB.
- Two WRs will be selected. WR will become a strength for the Steelers. McCarthy prefers it that way, and Omar Khan has come up too short in that department for too long. The sign of a strong position group is that it’s difficult to cut someone. Metcalf, Pittman, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek, rookie WR1, and rookie WR2 will fill out the room in 2026.
