It\u2019s finally here. After months of mock drafts and the endless work the Steelers Depot crew has put into compiling scouting reports, it all comes down to this week, with the draft kicking off on Thursday. As I mentioned in my previous mock, this final version reflects how I expect the team to approach the weekend.<\/p>\n
Thanks for making these so much fun to put together. I\u2019ve loved reading all the feedback on every edition up to this point. For the final time in this draft cycle\u2014let\u2019s have some fun!<\/p>\n
Round 1 (21st Overall): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren\/S\/Toledo<\/p>\n
Expected Role:\u00a0Year 1 Starter<\/p>\n
Analysis: Since Omar Khan has taken over as general manager, every first-round pick has made a pre-draft Top 30 visit to Pittsburgh. While trends can always break, that streak continues in this mock. Drafting McNeil-Warren would make him the highest safety the team has selected since Troy Polamalu in 2003\u2014and he\u2019d be every bit worth it.<\/p>\n
At 6\u20193\u201d and 201 pounds, he has prototypical size to enforce the back end. He\u2019s an urgent, downhill run defender, not a sit-and-wait safety. He actively inserts himself into the alley and sifts through traffic with confidence.<\/p>\n
In Toledo\u2019s defensive scheme, McNeil-Warren primarily operated as a robber. From that alignment, he anticipates throws well and drives on the football with conviction. He doesn\u2019t shy away from contact when receivers enter his area; he delivers it with authority.<\/p>\n
The hallmark of his tape is his ability to generate turnovers. He\u2019s mastered the \u201cPeanut Punch,\u201d consistently targeting the football while still securing the tackle. He finished his career with nine forced fumbles.<\/p>\n
Many will hope for a receiver or offensive lineman at this spot. But McNeil-Warren is the best player on the board here, and he has the skill set to lead the back end of the defense for the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n
Others Considered:\u00a0Omar Cooper Jr.\/WR\/Indiana, Kevin Concepcion\/WR\/Texas A&M, Denzel Boston\/WR\/Washington, Kadyn Proctor\/OT\/Alabama<\/p>\n
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Round 2 (53rd Overall): Keylan Rutledge\/OG\/Georgia Tech<\/p>\n Expected Role:\u00a0Year 1 Starter<\/p>\n Analysis: Despite signing Brock Hoffman, Rutledge would still give the Steelers a Pro Bowl-caliber talent if he\u2019s on the board here. They\u2019ve done their homework on him, bringing him in for a Top 30 visit, and he fills the last glaring need on the roster. Once projected as an early Day Three pick, Rutledge has skyrocketed up draft boards after playing like one of the best linemen in college football.<\/p>\n Rutledge is a bulldozer in the run game. He brings a rugged, nasty on-field demeanor to the trenches. His game translates to both gap\/power and zone schemes. He thrives on displacing defenders with drive and combo blocks, yet he\u2019s also an excellent mover in space.<\/p>\n After allowing zero sacks over his final two college seasons, he\u2019s proven to be a pristine pass protector. His r\u00e9sum\u00e9 is strong, but he still needs refinement. He carries his hands too low pre-engagement, which allows savvy rushers to land first contact. He can get overly aggressive, leaning into his punches instead of sitting back in his stance.<\/p>\n If he can iron out those small kinks, the Steelers will be set at guard for the foreseeable future\u2014and he can play at a high level right away.<\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0Anthony Hill Jr.\/LB\/Texas, Lee Hunter\/IDL\/Texas Tech, Jake Golday\/LB\/Cincinnati, Treydan Stukes\/CB\/Arizona<\/p>\n Keylan Rutledge Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Round 3 (76th Overall): Skyler Bell\/WR\/UConn<\/p>\n Expected Role:\u00a0Year 1 Starter<\/p>\n Analysis: The receiver selection finally comes with the first pick in the third round. Bell emerged as arguably the most productive receiver in college football this past season, posting 101 receptions for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns. His 3.13 yards per route run is elite among his draftable peers.<\/p>\n From the slot, Bell operates with exceptional smoothness and intelligence. He understands zone spacing, knows when to throttle down, and consistently finds soft spots in coverage. His movement skills are highly fluid, allowing him to change direction with minimal wasted motion.<\/p>\n Despite standing at 5\u201911\u201d, his catch radius is outstanding for his size. He boasts 10-inch hands and 31-inch arms, and he\u2019s a natural hands-catcher who plucks the ball away from his frame with confidence. Concentration drops are rare, and he pairs that reliability with the leaping ability to climb the ladder and attack high throws.<\/p>\n Bell may not be the flashy first-round name, but he has the potential to become one of the most productive receivers in this class. If the Steelers decide to wait on a wide receiver, Bell is an ideal target to control the middle of the field.<\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0Antonio Williams\/WR\/Clemson, Kyle Louis\/LB\/Pittsburgh, Keith Abney II\/CB\/Arizona State, Keionte Scott\/CB\/Miami (FL)<\/p>\n Skyler Bell Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Round 3 (85th Overall):\u00a0Darrell Jackson Jr.\/IDL\/Florida State<\/p>\n Expected Role:\u00a0Rotational Depth\/0-tech<\/p>\n Analysis: Jackson gives the Steelers potential answers to multiple questions. The first is the glaring need for an old-school nose tackle who can plug the middle. With his 6\u20195\u201d frame and 34-inch arms, Jackson can do exactly that. But with Cam Heyward\u2019s playing days numbered, Jackson also has the upside to grow into an every-down player who wins similarly.<\/p>\n The peak of his game shows up against the run. He\u2019s an overwhelming trench defender built to do the dirty work. His physical dimensions immediately command double teams and make life easier for his teammates. When he plays with sound technique, he\u2019s an effortless two-gapper who can lock out offensive linemen with his 86-inch wingspan.<\/p>\n He must develop his pass rush the most at the next level. His sack production was modest in college, largely because he leans on a straight-ahead bull rush. While he has the power to collapse the pocket, he must develop a counter move and a deeper arsenal if he wants to become a consistent pass-rush threat.<\/p>\n Jackson has already drawn interest from the Steelers during this draft process. The box score numbers may not be flashy, but his impact is felt on a snap-to-snap basis\u2014and the defense will be better with him in the fold.<\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0Oscar Delp\/TE\/Georgia, Jaishawn Barham\/LB\/Michigan, Kamari Ramsey\/S\/USC, Garrett Nussmeier\/QB\/LSU<\/p>\n Darrell Jackson Jr. Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Round 3 (99th Overall): Malik Muhammad\/CB\/Texas<\/p>\n Expected Role:\u00a0Rotational Depth\/Future Starter<\/p>\n Analysis: I\u2019ve been bullish on Muhammad since early in the draft process. He\u2019s undervalued and a genuine gem of a prospect. The Steelers need to infuse youth into their cornerback room after signing Jamel Dean, and Muhammad has the versatility to play outside on the boundary while also kicking inside to nickel if needed.<\/p>\n He\u2019s primarily a coverage technician. Zone or man, he has played both at a high level on college football\u2019s biggest stage. He uses excellent peripheral vision to feel overlapping routes while keeping his eyes on the quarterback. His movement skills are very fluid, highlighted by a buttery-smooth crossover run that allows him to transition effortlessly.<\/p>\n The primary knock on him is his size at 182 pounds. Against more physical receivers, he can be bullied off his spot and outmuscled at the catch point. To compensate, he can grab at the top of the route stem.<\/p>\n Muhammad is a player I grade as worthy of an early Day Two selection. He\u2019s one of my draft crushes and someone I\u2019d love to see end up in the Steel City.<\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0Bryce Lance\/WR\/NDSU, Julian Neal\/CB\/Arkansas, Bud Clark\/S\/TCU, Genesis Smith\/S\/Arizona<\/p>\n Malik Muhammad Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Round 4 (121st Overall): Drew Allar\/QB\/Penn State<\/p>\n Expected Role:\u00a0Developmental Prospect\/Future Starter<\/p>\n Analysis: It\u2019s becoming increasingly likely that the Steelers will take a swing at a quarterback in this draft. Where and when is up for debate, but they\u2019ve done their homework, and the popular \u201cAFC North QB\u201d tag applies to multiple guys in this class. With his physical tools, Allar may possess the highest ceiling of any passer available.<\/p>\n He looks like he was built in a quarterback laboratory: big, sturdy, with an effortless, fluid release. His arm talent is elite and could realistically be in the conversation as one of the best in the NFL on Day One. He can fire fastballs into tight windows and drive deep outs or in-breakers to the far hash with ease.<\/p>\n All of the questions come once you move beyond his physical gifts. His accuracy and touch are highly erratic, largely because he too often throws with \u201cdead\u201d feet. He doesn\u2019t always step into throws and square his shoulders. When his lower half falls apart, he can make the layups look difficult.<\/p>\n There are plenty of concerns with Allar\u2019s game. What isn\u2019t in question is his raw talent. If Mike McCarthy can unlock that upside, the Steelers will be set at the game\u2019s most important position.<\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0Brian Parker II\/OT\/Duke, Deonte Lawson\/LB\/Alabama, Chris McClellan\/IDL\/Missouri, Kage Case\/OT\/Boise State<\/p>\n Drew Allar Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Round 4 (135th Overall): Travis Burke\/OT\/Memphis<\/p>\n Expected Role:\u00a0Swing Tackle\/Possible Future Starter<\/p>\n Analysis: Although Broderick Jones has made encouraging progress from his injury this offseason, his play still hasn\u2019t met expectations. If that trend continues, Burke would provide a developmental option who\u2019s logged snaps on both sides of the line in college. Physically, he\u2019s one of the most intimidating prospects in the class. At 6\u20198\u201d with 35-inch arms and 10-inch hands, he absolutely looks the part.<\/p>\n His tape is incredibly violent, showcasing an unrelenting finishing mentality. In the run game, he can effortlessly displace defenders on down blocks and consistently use his massive frame to his advantage. However, that same frame makes it difficult for him to lower his pad level, which can sap some of his power.<\/p>\n Burke\u2019s length dictates his pass-protection abilities. He can erase edge defenders simply by landing his initial punch, but overall, his game is still unrefined. Quicker rushers can turn the corner on him, and he lacks the recovery quickness to fully regain control of the rep once he\u2019s beaten.<\/p>\n Burke needs time and coaching, but his size and length are absolutely worth betting on. He\u2019s not a lumbering giant\u2014he plays violently and with real passion.<\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0Kaleb Elarms-Orr\/LB\/TCU, Harold Perkins\/LB\/LSU, Tyler Onyedim\/IDL\/Texas A&M, Eli Raridon\/TE\/Notre Dame<\/p>\n Travis Burke Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Round 5 (161st Overall): Jeff Caldwell\/WR\/Cincinnati<\/p>\n Expected Role:\u00a0Depth\/Developmental Prospect<\/p>\n Analysis: Wide receiver is a position the Steelers will likely double-dip at in this draft. Selecting Bell secures the top three starters on the roster, but they still need developmental depth. If they\u2019re looking to add true top-end athleticism to the room, it doesn\u2019t get much more explosive than Caldwell.<\/p>\n Standing over 6\u20195\u201d with nearly 10-inch hands, Caldwell is a certified athletic freak after posting a 4.31-second 40-yard dash and a 42-inch vertical. While much of his game is underdeveloped because of his college offense, he flashes natural hands. He tracks the ball beautifully over his shoulder and has the strength to finish through contact.<\/p>\n At Cincinnati, he operated almost exclusively as a vertical threat. His long strides chew up cushions in a hurry, and his presence alone forces defenses to account for help over the top. However, when he\u2019s asked to run a full route tree, the rawness shows. He frequently rounds off his breaks, which makes it tougher for him to create clean separation at the top of routes.<\/p>\n Caldwell is a project, but at this stage of the draft, you\u2019re looking for a prospect with an elite, bankable trait you can deploy while the rest of his game develops. His route running can be coached. His size and speed are elite\u2014and unteachable.<\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0Hezekiah Masses\/CB\/California, Aiden Fisher\/LB\/Indiana, Michael Taffe\/S\/Texas, Jadon Canady\/CB\/Oregon<\/p>\n Jeff Caldwell Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Round 6 (216th Overall): Will Kacmarek\/TE\/Ohio State<\/p>\n Expected Role:\u00a0Sub-package Contributor\/Special Teams Contributor<\/p>\n Analysis: Kacmarek isn\u2019t a player I\u2019ve mocked to the Steelers often, but the team has shown interest in him throughout the draft process. With Jonnu Smith and Connor Heyward departing this offseason, there\u2019s a clear incentive to add another tight end to the room.<\/p>\n His evaluation begins and ends with his blocking. A former high school defensive end, he brings a defensive mentality to the tight end position. When firing off the ball, he has a true mauler\u2019s mindset. In-line, he shows impressive grip strength and hand placement, allowing him to control the point of attack.<\/p>\n The receiving aspect of his game is highly limited. He\u2019s a stiff mover who labors through his routes, and for a player of his size, he\u2019s knocked off his stem too easily.<\/p>\n If the Steelers decide to draft Kacmarek, it will be with a very specific role in mind. As a blocker, he\u2019d be a fantastic addition to the room.<\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0Matthew Hibner\/TE\/SMU, Devon Marshall\/CB\/NC State, Kaden Wetjen\/WR\/Iowa, Malik Benson\/WR\/Oregon<\/p>\n Will Kacmarek Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Round 7 (224th Overall): Eli Heidenreich\/RB\/Navy<\/p>\n Expected Role:\u00a0Return Specialist\/Sub-package Contributor<\/p>\n Analysis: For much of the offseason, it\u2019s been a toss-up between Wetjen and Heidenreich in these mock drafts. Heidenreich ultimately gets the nod despite lacking Wetjen\u2019s return r\u00e9sum\u00e9. While inexperienced in that specific role, his unique skill set should fully translate to it.<\/p>\n Leaving Navy as the program\u2019s all-time leader in career receiving yards (1,994) and touchdowns (16), he\u2019s proven to be a natural playmaker with the ball in his hands. He wasn\u2019t asked to run a full route tree in college, operating primarily in a \u201csnipe\u201d role within Navy\u2019s option-heavy scheme. Even so, he\u2019s developed the baseline traits needed to handle more than return duties. His change of direction is top-notch, and he can sink his hips and transition out of breaks with ease.<\/p>\n Once he transitions into a runner, his playmaking comes alive. He doesn\u2019t dance in the open field: Heidenreich is decisive, using his explosive acceleration and contact balance to chew up yardage. He runs behind his pads and fights for every extra inch.<\/p>\n He projects as an immediate contributor on special teams, but his talent shouldn\u2019t be pigeonholed. This is a player worth manufacturing touches for.<\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0Andre Fuller\/CB\/Toledo, Vincent Anthony Jr.\/EDGE\/Duke, Caden Barnett\/OT\/Wyoming, Cole Wisniewski\/S\/Texas Tech<\/p>\n Eli Heidenreich Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Round 7 (230th Overall): James Thompson Jr.\/IDL\/Illinois<\/p>\n Expected Role:\u00a0Rotational Depth<\/p>\n Analysis: Thompson is a new face in these mock drafts. After selecting Jackson earlier to address the defense\u2019s nose tackle needs, there\u2019s never any harm in adding more depth to the trenches. The Steelers have shown interest in Thompson throughout the draft process, and it\u2019s easy to see why: he\u2019s nearly 6\u20196\u201d and a menace against the run.<\/p>\n He\u2019s an absolute grinder in the trenches. His size brings the density and power needed to hold the point of attack. Double teams rarely faze him\u2014he can drop his weight and give up very little ground. His motor runs incredibly hot, and he routinely chases plays down from the backside.<\/p>\n His size, though, is a double-edged sword. Because of his height, he struggles to consistently keep his pads low, which can stall his pass-rushing momentum. He leans heavily on upper-body power to collapse the pocket and lacks a diverse rush plan.<\/p>\n Thompson\u2019s limited upside as a pass rusher likely caps him as a long-term depth piece. That said, if he can grow into a reliable rotational player, this would be a home run selection.<\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0Collin Wright\/CB\/Stanford, Kendal Daniels\/LB\/Oklahoma, Jordan van den Berg\/IDL\/Georgia Tech, Lorenzo Styles Jr.\/CB\/Ohio State<\/p>\n James Thompson Jr. Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Round 7 (237th Overall): Jaden Dugger\/LB\/Louisiana-Lafayette<\/p>\n Expected Role:\u00a0Rotational Depth\/Special Teams Contributor<\/p>\n Analysis: Personally, I\u2019d prefer the team address linebacker earlier in the draft. However, the Steelers have shown interest in second-level defenders projected to go earlier, when they had already addressed other needs in this mock. Dugger is another player they\u2019ve done their homework on. He\u2019s a hometown kid from Pittsburgh with unicorn-like measurables. Nearly 6\u20195\u201d with 35-inch arms and an 84-inch wingspan, he offers an unteachable tackle radius and length advantage.<\/p>\n His background as a former safety shows up against the run. He displays excellent sideline-to-sideline range and closes space quickly. When he triggers downhill, he throws around his 242-pound frame and flashes real power on contact. Because he lacks experience at the second level, he\u2019s a tick slow with his keys right now, but more snaps should speed that up.<\/p>\n Dugger\u2019s natural athleticism pops when covering in space. Coaches rarely assigned him complex man-to-man duties, but his long strides let him cover ground with ease. With more experience, he should fine-tune his route anticipation from a linebacker alignment.<\/p>\n He may not be the flashy name who sees defensive reps early, but he has the kind of traits that make him an intriguing developmental option. Size, speed, and length\u2014he has it all.<\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0Eric Gentry\/LB\/USC, Toriano Pride\/CB\/Missouri, Latrell McCutchin\/CB\/Houston, Haynes King\/QB\/Georgia Tech<\/p>\n Jaden Dugger Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Previous Steelers Mock Draft Monday<\/p>\n January 19<\/a>
January 26<\/a>
February 2<\/a>
February 9<\/a>
February 16<\/a>
February 23<\/a>
March 2<\/a>
March 9<\/a>
March 16<\/a>
March 23<\/a>
March 30<\/a>
April 6<\/a>
April 13<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It\u2019s finally here. After months of mock drafts and the endless work the Steelers Depot crew has put…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":618667,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[559],"tags":[17076,64,63,593,1241,85,313,16375],"class_list":{"0":"post-618666","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nfl","8":"tag-2026-nfl-draft","9":"tag-au","10":"tag-australia","11":"tag-nfl","12":"tag-pittsburgh-steelers","13":"tag-sports","14":"tag-trending","15":"tag-weekly"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/618666","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=618666"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/618666\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/618667"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=618666"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=618666"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=618666"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}