The Steelers hold the 21st selection in the 2026 NFL Draft and enter the offseason in desperate need of wide receiver help, once again. It’s a good time to need a WR, as the ’26 draft class is loaded with receiving talent, as there are 8 WRs in the top 50 players on Blitz Big Board.
The draft is unpredictable, and the Steelers aren’t likely to land any of the top 3 receivers (Tate, Tyson, and Lemon) without a trade up, meaning they could be left without one of the elite receiving prospects. If the draft board falls unfavorably, and the 21st selection is too rich for the next crop of receivers, Omar Khan and company may be forced to draft another position.
These are 5 players I believe they could draft in the 1st round that are not wide receivers.
Olaivavega Ioane | G | Penn State
Isaac Seumalo, the Steelers’ three-year starter at left guard, is a free agent, and with his decline in play and entering his 11th season, it appears the team may move on. Spencer Anderson is still on the roster and impressed in 2025 as the “sixth man” in heavy packages, which may have earned him the nod over bringing back Seomalo, but the draft may offer an even better alternative.
Olaivavega Ioane is 6’3″, 348 pounds, and plays with every bit of it. He’s an absolute mauler in the downhill run game but has enough athleticism to pull when needed. In pass protection, he’s a stone wall, absorbing rushers with ease without giving up any ground.
Ioane fits Mike McCarthy‘s inside zone running game well and enters the league as an advanced pass protector. Drafting the Penn State product would solidify another spot along the offensive line for the future, leaving only left tackle with any question.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren | S | Toledo
The Steelers met with several safeties at the NFL combine, and although we do not have a complete list of their meetings, it’s fair to assume they could be in the market for one in the draft. It has been reported that Jalen Ramsey will be retained despite predictions that he could be a cap casualty. What is not known is what position he will play. Early in 2025, he lined up as a nickel and boundary corner until he was ultimately forced to safety.
If the new coaching staff prefers Ramsey at corner, or they want to get younger at the position, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren provides a viable option in round 1. At Toledo, he showed outstanding range, playing best in zone coverage by understanding spacing, and breaking like a missile with his eyes on the QB. He excels at separating receivers from the ball and creating turnovers.
Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham‘s “system” is that he builds the defense around his players. A versatile impact player like McNeil-Warren would allow the defense to be multiple and keep opposing offenses off balance.
C.J. Allen | LB | Georgia
The Steelers have been heavily involved with the linebackers at the Scouting Combine, meeting with many of the top names, including C.J. Allen. With 4 linebackers on the current roster, it doesn’t appear to be an immediate need, but that could change quickly. Patrick Queen only has one season left on his contract, Payton Wilson has two left on his rookie deal, Malik Harrison is a possible cap casualty, leaving only 7th round pick Carson Bruener signed to the team beyond 2027.
Allen measured into the combine at 6’1” and 230 pounds, but plays much bigger than that. He’s an old school thumper – a type Steelers fans should be familiar with. He’s excels in pursuit of ball carriers and shedding blocks to make tackles. His coverage ability is not a strength, but it is adequate.
Patrick Graham traditionally prefers stout linebackers, having signed former Steelers Elandon Roberts and Robert Spillane. C.J. Allen fits that mold, with more speed and coverage ability. He could provide longevity as the “green dot” of the future in Pittsburgh.
Kayden McDonald | DT | Ohio State
In 2025, the Steelers addressed their defensive line through the draft by selecting Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black in the 1st and 5th rounds, respectively. Keanu Benton and Cam Heyward are both entering contract years in ‘26, which could create a scenario where DL needs addressing yet again, especially if Heyward decides to retire.
Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald could address it in a big way. He measured into the combine at 6’2”, 326 pounds and has drawn comparisons to Steelers great, Casey Hampton.
McDonald is a natural run defender. He uses leverage well, not only to stalemate blockers, but to penetrate the backfield and create TFL’s in bunches. He plays with his head up, allowing him to track ball carriers and finish with his rare tackling ability for a bigger body.
Mike Tomlin did not covet true nose tackles, but the Steelers’ meeting with McDonald indicates the new coaching staff sees it differently.
Ty Simpson | QB | Alabama
The Steelers’ years-long need at wide receiver has almost deterred attention from their top need, quarterback. There’s a consensus assumption that Aaron Rodgers will return as the starter in 2026, but the Steelers are doing their homework on the ’26 QB draft class nonetheless.
Mike McCarthy presumably ran the formal meeting the team held with potential first-round pick Ty Simpson.
Ty Simpson says all the right things, and did all the right things in his lone season starting at Alabama. He threw for 3,567 yards and 28 TDs with just 5 INTs while completing 64.5% of his passes in a season that ended with a Rose Bowl loss to the eventual National Champion Indiana Hoosiers.
His strengths are at the line of scrimmage, recognizing defenses, and adjusting the play. He also excels at play-action passing, attacking the middle of the field, and has the rare ability to throw guys open by attacking spots on the field rather than players.
There is much debate on whether Simpson should be selected in the first or second round. For the Steelers, Mike McCarthy was brought to Pittsburgh for his innate ability to develop quarterbacks. If McCarthy believes that Simpson is the next Steelers franchise QB, then he is surely worth the 21st overall pick in the draft.
