Two days down, one more to go. The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to enter Day Three, the final day of the 2026 NFL Draft. With five picks to make, who could the team consider to round out its rookie class? Let’s look at some options. There are many more names we could add to this list, but here are a handful who especially make good sense.

Running Back
Eli Heidenreich/Navy

Running back isn’t high on Pittsburgh’s list of needs, but Heidenreich is more than just a runner. He’s a versatile runner and receiver who stuffed the stat sheet at Navy (1,994 receiving yards, 1,157 rushing yards). A Pittsburgh kid, the Steelers have had a theme of versatility throughout the draft.

He could compete for a final offensive skill position on the roster. Ideally, he’s a seventh-round pick, so if he doesn’t make the 53, he can begin his NFL career on the practice squad.

If Pittsburgh is focusing on a return angle, then Pitt’s Desmond Reid might be the choice late on Day Three.

Wide Receiver
Kaden Wetjen/Iowa & Barion Brown/LSU

Lumping these two together. Not just for what they offer as a receiver, but as returners. Wetjen is the top returner in the class, but both players scored six return touchdowns in their college careers. Wetjen dominated on kicks and punts, while Brown was mainly a kick returner but set an SEC record thanks to his elite track speed.

Germie Bernard offers some return value, but his production has been meager, and he hasn’t been in that role since 2023. Pittsburgh could use a big swing here. Wetjen in the fifth or Brown in the seventh fits.

Kendrick Law/Kentucky

Law also has return value, but not to the degree of Wetjen and Brown. Law is a compact space player with great speed and some break-tackle ability. His special teams calling card also comes as a gunner and coverage player. That would give him a path to the end of the roster and challenge someone like Ben Skowronek for a spot. Law was one of six wide receivers who came in for a pre-draft visit.

Jeff Caldwell/Cincinnati

Pittsburgh could double-dip at wide receiver. If the team truly wants depth and competition everywhere, loading up on wideouts should be a mandate. Caldwell is much different than Bernard, a height/weight/speedster who flashed in his lone year at the FBS level after transferring from Lindenwood. At the NFL Combine, he burned up Indy’s track with a 4.31 40 at 6053, 216 pounds.

The profile is more appealing than the tape, but he’s a developmental prospect who could be considered in the fifth round. Caldwell, like Law, came in for a visit.

Tight End
Khalil Dinkins/Penn State

A local visit, Dinkins could be a fallback choice after the major Day Two tight end run that wiped out many of Pittsburgh’s options. Dinkins is a local prospect who attended North Allegheny. He is a good-effort blocker with soft hands, the few times he got involved in the passing game. The Steelers are empty at No. 3 tight end behind Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington and will likely use one of their final five selections at the position. Dinkins in the seventh would be best-case, but the tight end run could bump him up earlier to teams still needing to add.

Other tight ends to think about include Ole Miss’ Dae’Quan Wright and LSU’s Bauer Sharp.

Defensive Line
Rayshaun Benny/Michigan

Benny doesn’t quite meet the threshold of the size Pittsburgh likes (6032, 298, 33 3/8 inch arms), but he’s not far off from that mark. He played at a top school in Michigan that runs a similar defensive scheme to lessen his transition and projection. Benny showed a hot motor on tape with good athleticism and helped his stock during the Senior Bowl.

If the d-line is the path in the fourth round, Benny might be the choice.

James Thompson Jr./Illinois

One of two d-linemen hosted for visits, Thompson has the ideal size that Pittsburgh looks for at the position. He measures in at 6055 and 308 pounds. A lack of length knocks him (31 3/8 inch arms), but the Steelers have drafted stubbier linemen in the past, seemingly prioritizing height over length. Isaiahh Loudermilk and Logan Lee are examples.

Thompson could be had with one of Pittsburgh’s seventh-round selections or even possibly as an undrafted free agent. Florida State’s Darrell Jackson remains on the board and could be under consideration earlier, but I won’t repeat the names from yesterday’s list who haven’t been picked.

Other d-linemen to consider include South Carolina’s Nick Barrett, Minnesota’s Deven Eastern, Arkansas’ Cameron Ball, and Cincinnati’s Dontay Corleone.

Inside Linebacker
Jaden Dugger/Louisiana

Like Dinkins, Dugger came in for a pre-draft visit. A former safety-turned-linebacker, Dugger offers a rare frame at nearly 6’5″, 240 pounds, with 35-inch arms. He closes quickly and uses his length well. Despite his on-the-job learning, Dugger still piled up 125 tackles and a first-team All-Sun Belt bid in 2025.

Most project Dugger as a seventh-round/undrafted candidate, but given his athletic profile and upside, I could see him being taken as early as the fifth at No. 161.

Jack Kelly/BYU

Kelly is a high-production and aggressive linebacker with good size and speed. Transferring from Weber State to BYU for the 2024 season, he’s posted 106 tackles (23.5 TFL), an incredible 15 sacks, and four forced fumbles over the past two combined seasons. Pittsburgh brought him in for a visit to take a longer look.

Harold Perkins/LSU

A former top high school recruit, Perkins didn’t quite live up to lofty expectations. Still, he’s athletic and versatile off the edge and off the ball. In Pittsburgh, he’d primarily play the latter, but that flexibility is a bonus as a final linebacker on the roster. At 6005, 220 pounds, he ran 4.45 at his Pro Day. Perkins could enter the fifth-round conversation.

Safety
Zakee Wheatley/Penn State

Pittsburgh’s draft has carried plenty of local ties and has already selected one Nittany Lion in QB Drew Allar. The team could add another. Wheatley would join his former college teammates in CB Joey Porter Jr. and S Jaquan Brisker. Wheatley is a rangy free safety whose stock dipped due to a 4.62 40 Pro Day time. In 2024, he picked off three passes, forced one fumble, and recorded a sack.

Wheatley would be a candidate in the fourth or fifth round.

Arizona’s Genesis Smith, Texas’ Michael Taaffe, and USC’s Bishop Fitzgerald are other possibilities.

Punter

I could list out every punter here in specific detail. To spare you, here are a couple of draftable names: Georgia’s Brett Thorson, Michigan State’s Ryan Eckley, Florida’s Tommy Doman Jr., and Syracuse’s Jack Stonehouse. Thorson is the best punter in the class, Eckley and Stonehouse have big legs, and Doman’s boots produce great hangtime. Good news. We have scouting reports on them all.

With one of those trio of seventh-round picks, the Steelers could opt to use one on the position to battle Cameron Johnston this summer.