{"id":127549,"date":"2026-03-02T17:06:21","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T17:06:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/127549\/"},"modified":"2026-03-02T17:06:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T17:06:21","slug":"mock-draft-monday-pittsburgh-steelers-mock-draft-march-2nd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/127549\/","title":{"rendered":"Mock Draft Monday: Pittsburgh Steelers Mock Draft (March 2nd)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to the first post-Combine Pittsburgh Steelers Mock Draft Monday! The Indy spectacle is sure to shake up draft boards and heavily influence where players are mocked. While it doesn\u2019t directly indicate who the team is targeting, our combine tracker shows which prospects they met with<\/a> throughout the week.<\/p>\n

As a reminder, this isn\u2019t a prediction of what the team will actually do on draft day, but one of many alternative scenarios to consider.<\/p>\n

Round 1 (No. 21 Overall): KC Concepcion\/WR\/Texas A&M<\/p>\n

Expected Role:\u00a0Year 1 Starter<\/p>\n

Analysis: The Steelers find themselves in the market for a dynamic wide receiver for the third year in a row. If their interviews are any indication, they\u2019ve wasted no time doing their due diligence on this upcoming class. Concepcion is one of several talented prospects to receive a formal interview with the team in Indianapolis \u2014 and for good reason. KC would bring much-needed versatility and explosive playmaking to a room starved for it.<\/p>\n

Concepcion\u2019s greatest strengths are his separation skills and his ability to create after the catch. While DK Metcalf is already a playmaker who can turn nothing into something, the room still needs a receiver who consistently wins with route running. Concepcion is a twitchy athlete who excels at manipulating leverage and forcing corners into uncomfortable positions. He\u2019s a nightmare against both man and zone coverage \u2014 exactly the type of profile the Steelers have been missing.<\/p>\n

There are, however, questions about his focus. Despite being strong and competitive in traffic at 5\u201911\u201d, 190 pounds, he has had too many lapses on routine catches. Cleaning up those concentration drops will be a point of emphasis early in his career.<\/p>\n

Adding a player like Concepcion is precisely what this receiver room needs to spark the passing game. Pairing a true separator with a physical force like Metcalf would give the Steelers a formidable one-two punch on the perimeter.<\/p>\n

Others Considered:\u00a0Denzel Boston\/WR\/Washington, Kayden McDonald\/IDL\/Ohio State, Colton Hood\/CB\/Tennessee, Ty Simpson\/QB\/Alabama<\/p>\n

KC Concepcion Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n

Round 2: Keith Abney II\/CB\/Arizona State<\/p>\n

Expected Role:\u00a0Year 1 Starter<\/p>\n

Analysis: Cornerback is another position that drew heavy attention in interviews, and it\u2019s highly likely the team taps into this strong class to find a running mate for Joey Porter Jr. Abney is a high-upside talent whose name has gotten a bit lost among the other top corners in this draft. He\u2019s a fluid playmaker on the back end, able to change direction seamlessly.<\/p>\n

Abney is a sticky cover corner who mirrors receivers with ease. His ability to flip his hips and redirect without wasted movement lets him stay glued to a receiver\u2019s hip through the route. He can also make plays on the ball in zone coverage, showing a strong feel for route concepts in his area and the closing burst to attack the catch point.<\/p>\n

While he has the speed and agility to hang with shiftier receivers, questions remain about his physicality. At 190 pounds, he isn\u2019t the biggest corner, and it shows when he\u2019s matched against more imposing outside receivers. He also needs refinement in avoiding penalties. His stickiness can become a flaw. Like Porter, Abney can get a bit too handsy at the top of routes to stay attached.<\/p>\n

If he cleans up the penalties, Abney has shutdown potential and the skill set to shine opposite Joey Porter Jr.<\/p>\n

Others Considered:\u00a0Anthony Hill Jr.\/LB\/Texas, Lee Hunter\/IDL\/Texas Tech, Jake Golday\/LB\/Cincinnati, D\u2019Angelo Ponds\/CB\/Indiana<\/p>\n

Keith Abney II Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n

Round 3: Kyle Louis\/LB\/Pittsburgh<\/p>\n

Expected Role:\u00a0Sub-package Contributor\/\u201dStar\u201d Defender<\/p>\n

Analysis: Louis is the first player in this mock who hasn\u2019t been publicly reported as meeting with the team, but the Steelers are well aware of the versatile defender. He\u2019s an explosive athlete with dangerous short-area quickness and long speed, and his motor matches his movement skills \u2014 he\u2019s constantly hunting the football.<\/p>\n

Beyond his fiery play style, coverage is his calling card. His speed allows him to cover a ton of ground in zone, and his eye discipline is just as sharp. He reads the quarterback\u2019s intentions and uses his acceleration to drive on the ball and close passing windows. In man coverage, he shows enough lower-body fluidity to mirror slot receivers and hold his own against tight ends.<\/p>\n

His size is the major concern. He lacks the bulk to function as a traditional off-ball linebacker and can struggle to disengage from blocks in the run game.<\/p>\n

Louis fits the mold of a modern-day chess piece. He\u2019s not a plug-and-play traditional linebacker you stick in one spot and forget about. At Pitt, he played the \u201cStar\u201d role,<\/a> asked to do a little bit of everything, and his NFL future will likely follow a similar path.<\/p>\n

Others Considered:\u00a0Darrell Jackson Jr.\/IDL\/Florida State, Antonio Williams\/WR\/Clemson, Keylan Rutledge\/OG\/Georgia Tech, Domonique Orange\/IDL\/Iowa State<\/p>\n

Kyle Louis Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n

Round 3: Garrett Nussmeier\/QB\/LSU<\/p>\n

Expected Role:\u00a0Developmental Prospect<\/p>\n

Analysis: There isn\u2019t a quarterback selection that comes without controversy, and drafting Nussmeier will cause some to pause. His 2025 season was highly inconsistent, in part because of an oblique injury suffered before the year that derailed his accuracy. While his most recent tape can\u2019t be ignored, his last fully healthy season had him firmly in the early first-round conversation.<\/p>\n

When healthy and in rhythm, Nussmeier shows exceptional touch on intermediate and deep throws. His arm isn\u2019t the strongest, but he consistently drops downfield shots into the bucket. When kept clean, his passes are generally on time and in stride.<\/p>\n

Confidence is an essential trait for any quarterback, but there\u2019s a thin line between confidence and recklessness. When his internal clock speeds up under consistent pressure, he drifts toward the latter. He trusts his arm, sometimes too much, leading to forced throws into double coverage and unnecessary risk.<\/p>\n

His strong Senior Bowl showing<\/a> was a reminder that, when fully healthy, he can operate at a high level. As a third-round pick, there would be no pressure for him to start immediately. Selecting him would be a bet that his 2024 film represents his true baseline as a prospect \u2014 and that 2025 was the outlier, not the norm.<\/p>\n

Others Considered: Zakee Wheatley\/S\/Penn State, Julian Neal\/CB\/Arkansas, Ja\u2019Kobi Lane\/WR\/USC, Genesis Smith\/S\/Arizona<\/p>\n

Garrett Nussmeier Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n

Round 3: Bud Clark\/S\/TCU<\/p>\n

Expected Role:\u00a0Rotational Depth\/Potential Year 1 Starter<\/p>\n

Analysis: The Steelers need a succession plan as Jalen Ramsey and DeShon Elliott enter the later stages of their careers. Enter Clark, who\u2019s a true ballhawk with experience in every safety alignment and blazing speed.<\/p>\n

Clark heads into the draft with 15 career interceptions and 21 pass breakups. He attacks the ball in the air like he\u2019s on offense, but it\u2019s his processing that consistently puts him in position to make plays. His anticipation from depth is excellent. He reads the quarterback, keys the route concepts, and drives on the football. He transitions seamlessly from his backpedal into a forward sprint, rapidly closing the space between himself and the receiver.<\/p>\n

As a run defender, Clark\u2019s lean frame can be overwhelmed by bigger ball carriers. His tackling technique is inconsistent, and there isn\u2019t much pop behind his hits.<\/p>\n

His size will likely keep him in more traditional deep-safety roles rather than consistently playing in the box, but he has the range to be a true playmaker on the back end. The Steelers\u2019 secondary isn\u2019t getting any younger, so it\u2019s time to inject some youth.<\/p>\n

Others Considered:\u00a0Skyler Bell\/WR\/UConn, Dontay Corleone\/IDL\/Cincinnati, Treydan Stukes\/S\/Arizona, Justin Joly\/TE\/NC State<\/p>\n

Round 4: Billy Schrauth\/OG\/Notre Dame<\/p>\n

Expected Role:\u00a0Developmental Prospect\/Potential Year 1 Starter<\/p>\n

Analysis: A recent riser in draft circles, Schrauth is another player who met with the Steelers, albeit informally. His raw power in the run game and sound technique in pass protection give him a high floor from Day 1. With Isaac Seumalo\u2019s return in question, Schrauth could step in on the left side immediately and provide valuable snaps.<\/p>\n

The foundation of his game is built on strength. In both the run and pass game, it\u2019s clear he often holds a power advantage over his matchup. As a run blocker, he effortlessly generates push at the point of attack, opening lanes for his ball carrier. He has enough foot speed to climb to the second level.<\/p>\n

His pass protection is just as sturdy. He\u2019s rarely walked back into the quarterback\u2019s lap by pure power. Schrauth absorbs contact well, sinks his hips, and stalls bull-rush attempts. Though he carries a power-first mentality, he\u2019s surprisingly patient in his sets and shows consistently good hand placement.<\/p>\n

There are technical issues to address. In pass protection, he plays too upright, which reduces his leverage and neutralizes some of his natural power. He also has a tendency to overextend in the run game, causing him to lose balance and fall off blocks.<\/p>\n

Schrauth is the type of player who can outperform his draft slot and become a rock-solid starter on the interior. Adding him could be the final piece of the puzzle for an emerging offensive line.<\/p>\n

Others Considered:\u00a0Anthony Lucas\/EDGE\/USC, Gracen Halton\/IDL\/Oklahoma, Tim Keenan III\/IDL\/Alabama, Jack Endries\/TE\/Texas<\/p>\n

Billy Schrauth Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n

Round 4: Rayshaun Benny\/IDL\/Michigan<\/p>\n

Expected Role: Rotational Depth<\/p>\n

Analysis: There\u2019s a clear trend forming among these picks. Benny is another player the team met with during the week. He\u2019s a stout run defender along the front. Without Derrick Harmon on the field, the run defense suffered severely last year, and it\u2019s unwise to rely on a single player\u2019s availability. Benny is a well-proportioned defender who will thrive on early downs.<\/p>\n

His immediate path to playing time lies in his run-stuffing floor. He shows a quick get-off with a powerful strike that shocks offensive linemen. Incredibly strong in his lower body, he\u2019s a true space-eater who maintains gap discipline and rarely abandons his assignment to chase stats.<\/p>\n

His pass-rush skillset is still a work in progress. Benny is currently over-reliant on a bull rush that can create pressure, but he needs to expand on that foundation. That said, he contributes in other ways. When he realizes his rush won\u2019t get home, he\u2019s quick to get his hands into passing lanes.<\/p>\n

This selection isn\u2019t about finding Cam Heyward\u2019s replacement. Benny has plenty of development ahead of him before his game becomes truly balanced. Nevertheless, he can immediately fill an important niche as a shutdown run defender.<\/p>\n

Others Considered:\u00a0Skyler Gill-Howard\/IDL\/Texas Tech, Kevin Coleman Jr.\/WR\/Missouri, Chris McClellan\/IDL\/Missouri, Jaishawn Barham\/LB\/Michigan<\/p>\n

Rayshaun Benny Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n

Round 5: CJ Daniels\/WR\/Miami (FL)<\/p>\n

Expected Role:\u00a0Depth\/Potential Year 1 Starter<\/p>\n

Analysis: With the Steelers carrying 12 picks, it\u2019s hard not to imagine them double-dipping to fix their weakest position group. KC Concepcion gives you the savvy separator to pair with DK, while Daniels profiles as the reliable chain mover at the next level. It\u2019s not the splashiest approach, but every offense needs a safety blanket it can depend on.<\/p>\n

Daniels has hands made of glue. His ability to track the ball in the air is exceptional, and he boasts an impressive catch radius, routinely plucking the ball away from his frame. He has a knack for making difficult plays look effortless.<\/p>\n

His route running is nothing to sleep on, either. He isn\u2019t the most explosive athlete vertically, but he wins with nuance. His long speed leaves something to be desired, yet he shows plenty of short-area quickness to snap off routes and separate at the top of his stem.<\/p>\n

Daniels didn\u2019t run the 40-yard dash at the Combine, so questions about his vertical speed remain. Fortunately, his role in the league won\u2019t be as a pure deep threat. If he can provide a dependable pair of hands and consistently find soft spots in the short-to-intermediate areas of the field, this pick will be a hit.<\/p>\n

Others Considered:\u00a0Bryce Lance\/WR\/NDSU, Lander Barton\/LB\/Utah, DeMonte Capehart\/IDL\/Clemson, De\u2019Zhaun Stribling\/WR\/Ole Miss<\/p>\n

Round 6: Marlin Klein\/TE\/Michigan<\/p>\n

Expected Role: Sub-package Contributor\/Special Teams Contributor<\/p>\n

Analysis: The Steelers are not firmly in the tight end market, but it\u2019s highly plausible they look to add talent to the room. Klein is an intriguing Day 3 option who possesses raw, unteachable traits. He ran a 4.61-second 40-yard dash at 6\u20196\u2033, 248 pounds. Moving that fast at that size will catch the attention of NFL front offices.<\/p>\n

Klein\u2019s game stands out as an outlier compared to today\u2019s modern \u201cmove\u201d tight ends. He is very capable and more comfortable when aligned in a traditional in-line \u201cY\u201d role. He\u2019s a high-effort blocker who fires off the ball and demonstrates excellent grip strength.<\/p>\n

The development of his route running will be his steepest learning curve. Although Klein has impressive long speed, he\u2019s a bit stiff in his lower body, which isn\u2019t unusual for someone his size. However, that stiffness can create issues separating against man coverage if he can\u2019t consistently snap off his routes.<\/p>\n

Klein is a toolsy player who needs significant refinement. His immediate blocking value would complement Pat Freiermuth and also allow the team to be more creative with how they deploy Darnell Washington.<\/p>\n

Others Considered:\u00a0Nick Barrett\/IDL\/South Carolina, Xavier Nwankpa\/S\/Iowa, Xavian Sorey Jr.\/LB\/Arkansas, Andre Fuller\/CB\/Toledo<\/p>\n

Round 6: Jaydn Ott\/RB\/Oklahoma<\/p>\n

Expected Role:\u00a0Sub-package Contributor\/Special Teams Contributor<\/p>\n

Analysis: Until Kenneth Gainwell is re-signed, the Steelers must prepare to find his replacement. Jaydn Ott had a very disappointing 2025 season, during which he essentially disappeared from the lineup. Not long ago, he was viewed as a surefire Day 2 pick, which speaks to his natural talent. He has enough long speed to run away from defenders, plus the short-area burst and lateral agility to make people miss in a phone booth.<\/p>\n

The primary production the Steelers are losing with Gainwell is in the passing game. Ott is a premier receiver out of the backfield. He catches cleanly with his hands rather than letting the ball sink into his body, and he has proven highly reliable when targeted.<\/p>\n

At his collegiate peak, his running ability was superb. He operated as a patient runner with excellent vision behind the line of scrimmage, consistently showing a knack for turning negative plays into positive gains.<\/p>\n

Drafting Ott comes with risk after such a disappointing season, but he reminded evaluators of his talent at the Senior Bowl, where he flashed the ability that once made him a buzzworthy prospect. Selecting him requires believing you\u2019re getting the version that tore up defenses at Cal \u2014 not the disappearing act he became at Oklahoma.<\/p>\n

Others Considered: Kaleb Elarms-Orr\/LB\/TCU, Eli Heidenreich\/RB\/Navy, Jalen Husky\/S\/Maryland, Devonta Smith\/CB\/Notre Dame<\/p>\n

Round 7: Cole Brevard\/IDL\/Texas<\/p>\n

Expected Role: 0-tech\/Rotational Depth<\/p>\n

Analysis: The selection of Benny added another run stuffer to the front seven, but the team still lacks a true nose tackle who can eat space in the middle. Keeanu Benton hasn\u2019t shown the consistent ability to hold the point against the run. Enter the massive Brevard, weighing in at 340 pounds. His entire game is built on his size and strength.<\/p>\n

Brevard\u2019s lower-body power serves as a true anchor, making him almost immovable up front. He routinely absorbs contact from double teams without giving up ground. He\u2019s a natural two-gapper who elevates the players around him by freeing up linebackers and giving his fellow linemen more favorable matchups.<\/p>\n

However, he is a one-dimensional player with limited upside as a pass rusher. He doesn\u2019t offer much in the way of quickness or lateral agility to consistently penetrate the backfield. His bull rush is adequate, but he\u2019s more of a pocket pusher than someone who collapses the pocket.<\/p>\n

The upside is that his role is clearly defined. He doesn\u2019t need to be a pass-rushing demon. This defense badly needs a space-eater in the middle who can make everyone\u2019s job easier.<\/p>\n

Others Considered:\u00a0Brandon Cleveland\/IDL\/NC State, Keyshawn James-Newby\/EDGE\/New Mexico, Jeffrey M\u2019ba\/IDL\/SMU, Gary Smith III\/IDL\/UCLA<\/p>\n

Round 7: Quintayvious Hutchins\/EDGE\/Boston College<\/p>\n

Expected Role:\u00a0Rotational Depth\/Special Teams Contributor<\/p>\n

Analysis: With the last pick in the mock draft, it\u2019s never a bad strategy to double down on a strength. At 233 pounds, Hutchins doesn\u2019t bring much raw power to his game. His style is primarily built on finesse, and his overall athleticism is nothing to write home about. However, he\u2019s far from a liability on the edge.<\/p>\n

His get-off runs hot and cold. There are reps where he\u2019s late out of his stance, but when he times the snap correctly, his acceleration immediately stresses the offensive tackle. He has good bend, allowing him to turn the corner after unleashing his deadly club-rip move. Beyond that, though, his pass-rush arsenal is limited. He lacks a reliable counter move to keep blockers guessing.<\/p>\n

Despite weighing just 233 pounds, Hutchins sets the edge against the run surprisingly well. He plays with a high motor, and his size gives him a natural leverage advantage that helps him hold his ground. While he doesn\u2019t have the play strength to consistently shed blocks once linemen fully latch on, his lateral agility and quickness allow him to slip past before his matchup can lock in.<\/p>\n

Hutchins is unlikely to develop into a full-time starter in the NFL, but his bend and agility as a pass rusher should earn him plenty of opportunities to carve out a role as a reliable rotational edge defender.<\/p>\n

Others Considered:\u00a0Jalen Stroman\/S\/Notre Dame, Charles Demmings\/CB\/Stephen F. Austin, Jeff Caldwell\/WR\/Cincinnati, Jack Kelly\/LB\/BYU<\/p>\n

Previous Steelers Mock Draft Mondays<\/p>\n

January 19th
<\/a>January 26th<\/a>
February 2nd<\/a>
February 9th<\/a>
February 16th<\/a>
February 23rd<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Welcome to the first post-Combine Pittsburgh Steelers Mock Draft Monday! The Indy spectacle is sure to shake up…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":120174,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[31803,73,75,74,1833,995,7666],"class_list":["post-127549","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-pittsburgh","tag-2026-nfl-draft","tag-pittsburgh","tag-pittsburgh-headlines","tag-pittsburgh-news","tag-pittsburgh-steelers","tag-trending","tag-weekly"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/127549","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=127549"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/127549\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/120174"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=127549"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=127549"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=127549"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}