Welcome to Mock Draft Monday, version 9.0! With the first week of free agency in the books, the Steelers have already begun adding pieces to soft spots in their roster, which will influence the direction of these mock drafts. That being said, this is not an expectation of what I think the team will do during the draft, but rather one of many possibilities that could unfold.<\/p>\n
Round 1 (No. 21 overall): CJ Allen\/LB\/Georgia<\/p>\n
Expected Role:\u00a0Year 1 Starter<\/p>\n
Analysis: With the trade for Michael Pittman and the signing of Jamel Dean, those position groups are no longer glaring needs and don\u2019t justify forcing a selection. However, with trade rumors swirling around Patrick Queen, the defense could suddenly have a significant question mark at middle linebacker. That\u2019s where CJ Allen comes in. He has the talent to be a perennial 100-plus tackle producer and a steady, reliable green-dot communicator. Allen brings a culture\u2011setter mindset from Day 1.<\/p>\n
Allen\u2019s calling card is his run defense. He plays with outstanding football IQ and consistently sound gap discipline. It\u2019s rare to see him out of position or abandoning his assignment. He\u2019s at his best flowing downhill and initiating contact, rather than catching and absorbing blocks. Shedding blockers is not a major concern in his game, either. He routinely slips around or goes through them to create tackles for loss and disrupt plays in the backfield.<\/p>\n
Coverage will be his steepest learning curve\u2014particularly in man. In zone coverage, Allen is comfortable reading the quarterback\u2019s eyes and reacting to route concepts in front of him. That allows him to anticipate throws and close quickly. His issues show up more in man coverage, where there\u2019s some stiffness in his lower half. That tightness can leave him a split-second late out of his breaks, forcing him into recovery mode against more fluid, explosive athletes.<\/p>\n
If Queen is moved, Allen profiles as an immediate replacement. He would slide right into the green\u2011dot role and project as a long-term defensive captain, setting the tone both on the field and in the locker room.<\/p>\n
Others Considered:\u00a0Olaivavega Ioane\/IOL\/Penn State, Monroe Freeling\/OT\/Georgia, Caleb Banks\/IDL\/Florida, Caleb Lomu\/OT\/Utah<\/p>\n
CJ Allen Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Round 2 (53rd Overall): Zachariah Branch\/WR\/Georgia<\/p>\n Expected Role:\u00a0Year 1 Starter<\/p>\n Analysis: The aforementioned Pittman trade reduces the need for a receiver at the top of the draft, but the room still isn\u2019t fully solidified. DK Metcalf and Pittman form a twin\u2011tower duo on the outside, yet there remains a clear need for a true separator in the slot. Branch is that player, and he\u2019s one of the most explosive athletes in this draft.<\/p>\n While many view his route running as a concern, much of that perception stems from how he was used at Georgia. His role was heavily tilted toward screens and quick-game concepts designed to get the ball in his hands and let him create. That part is accurate, but it undersells what he can do when asked to run a full route tree.<\/p>\n When Branch is given the freedom to work more nuanced routes, his jittery change-of-direction skills allow him to snap off breaks and create instant separation at the top of his stem. With an expanded route portfolio, he\u2019ll show just how dangerous he can be.<\/p>\n Despite standing just 5-8, he\u2019s surprisingly tough at the catch point. Branch is a natural hands catcher with excellent ball-tracking ability downfield. His knack for finishing through contact and making difficult catches in traffic is impressive given his size. He may be undersized, but he consistently plays bigger than his frame suggests.<\/p>\n With the one-two punch on the perimeter in place, Mike McCarthy\u2019s penchant for three\u2011receiver sets makes the slot role all the more important. Branch is a stick of dynamite with the ball in his hands and an ideal complement to the bigger, jump\u2011ball threats on the outside. He gives this offense the true inside separator it\u2019s currently missing.<\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0D\u2019Angelo Ponds\/CB\/Indiana, Christen Miller\/IDL\/Georgia, Germie Bernard\/WR\/Alabama, A.J. Haulcy\/S\/LSU<\/p>\n Zachariah Branch Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Round 3 (76th Overall): Keylan Rutledge\/OG\/Georgia Tech<\/p>\n Expected Role:\u00a0Year 1 Starter<\/p>\n Analysis: With Isaac Seumalo\u2019s departure, the Steelers turn their focus to finding a long-term answer at guard. Rutledge offers plug-and-play reliability and a well-balanced skill set that fits both zone and gap\/power schemes. His strong showing at the Combine only confirmed what his tape already showed: he\u2019s a high-end athlete who\u2019s highly effective on the move, with seamless transitions from lateral movement to vertical drive.<\/p>\n He can win with both power and finesse, but he brings an old-school brawler\u2019s mentality in the run game. The rep doesn\u2019t end for him until his matchup is buried in the dirt. It starts with a quick first step that, combined with a powerful lower half, drives defenders out of their gaps. He\u2019s also effective on combo blocks and climbing to the second level.<\/p>\n In pass protection, Rutledge is outstanding against powerful interior rushers. When he sinks his hips, his heavy anchor stops defenders in their tracks, and his active hands are constantly working to reset and maintain his grip.<\/p>\n The team can still explore interior offensive line upgrades in free agency, but if Rutledge is on the board, it should be a no-brainer. He projects as a stable, long-term solution who can help solidify an offensive line on the rise.<\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0Kamari Ramsey\/S\/USC, Caleb Tiernan\/OT\/Northwestern, Zakee Wheatley\/S\/Penn State, Domonique Orange\/IDL\/Iowa State<\/p>\n Keylan Rutledge Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Round 3 (85th Overall): Gracen Halton\/IDL\/Oklahoma<\/p>\n Expected Role:\u00a0Rotational Depth\/Future Starter<\/p>\n Analysis: Cameron Heyward signing a one-year extension eliminates any retirement speculation for this season and eases the immediate pressure to find his successor. That makes Halton an intriguing developmental piece for the rotation who could grow into a future starter. He\u2019s been one of the biggest offseason risers in draft conversations after lighting up the Combine.<\/p>\n He\u2019s not just a testing warrior, either. Halton\u2019s quick in pads, and his pass-rush profile is built on his explosive first step. The instant he comes out of his stance, interior linemen are stressed and put on their heels as they scramble to recover. His overall rush plan is still coming along, but he\u2019s an active hand fighter who works to swat away initial punches and stay clean.<\/p>\n At 6-2 and 293 pounds, Halton is a bit undersized, but he uses that lower center of gravity to his advantage against the run. He\u2019s stronger than he looks and does a good job dropping his weight to hold the point of attack. His game against the run isn\u2019t perfect due to his physical limitations, but he\u2019s far from a liability. His non-stop motor and effort make him a constant headache for opposing linemen.<\/p>\n With Heyward back, the front line is stabilized for 2026. Adding Halton would give Pittsburgh a future option who can spend this season learning from a Steelers great while still making meaningful contributions of his own.<\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0Julian Neal\/CB\/Arkansas, Darrell Jackson Jr.\/IDL\/Florida State, Genesis Smith\/S\/Arizona, Chandler Rivers\/CB\/Duke<\/p>\n Gracen Halton Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Round 3 (99th Overall): Jalon Kilgore\/S\/South Carolina<\/p>\n Expected Role:\u00a0Rotational Depth\/Potential Year 1 Starter<\/p>\n Analysis: The signing of Jaquon Brisker gave the defense a much\u2011needed boost on the back end, but there\u2019s still a need to plan for the future, given it\u2019s a one-year deal. Selecting Kilgore lets the team develop a successor for the aging and injured DeShon Elliot. Kilgore has a dense build capable of delivering punishment, paired with 4.40 speed that lets him build momentum and close quickly.<\/p>\n As a coverage defender, Kilgore is better off in zone. He\u2019s highly instinctual, showing strong anticipation when reading the quarterback\u2019s eyes and diagnosing route concepts. His background as a receiver gives him a better understanding of how to track and attack the ball in the air, making him more effective when contesting at the catch point.<\/p>\n Man coverage is a bit more challenging for him. There\u2019s some stiffness in his change of direction, which makes him susceptible to sharp in\u2011breaking routes. He has exceptional straight\u2011line speed, but shiftier slot receivers can give him trouble.<\/p>\n He\u2019s at his best when he\u2019s triggering downhill in the run game. Like Elliott, he plays with an aggressive, no\u2011nonsense mindset and isn\u2019t afraid to stick his nose into the trenches. At 210 pounds, he\u2019s able to hold his own against bigger blockers. His tackling will need refinement to cut down on misses, but when he makes contact, it\u2019s felt.<\/p>\n Kilgore would be the first step in preparing the defense for its future at safety, and he\u2019s well equipped to make an immediate impact.<\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0Drew Allar\/QB\/Penn State, Ted Hurst\/WR\/Georgia State, Bud Clark\/S\/TCU, Tacario Davis\/CB\/Washington<\/p>\n Jalon Kilgore Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Round 4 (121st Overall): Dontay Corleone\/IDL\/Cincinnati<\/p>\n Expected Role: Rotational Depth\/0-tech<\/p>\n Analysis: Without Derrick Harmon on the field for part of the season, the defense continued to struggle against the run. Adding an old-school brawler to the middle of that front would go a long way toward limiting opponents\u2019 success. Corleone fits that bill. He\u2019s a massive presence at 340 pounds, and he knows how to use that size to his advantage.<\/p>\n Corleone\u2019s calling card at the next level will be his ability to eat up space. At 6\u20191\u2033 with a naturally low center of gravity, he plays with excellent leverage. Pair that with exceptional lower-body strength, and you get an immovable object in the middle of the line. Corleone excels at absorbing and splitting double-teams, consistently resetting the line of scrimmage. He makes life easier for his teammates in the run game while also producing on his own.<\/p>\n His pass rush is still a work in progress. Although he shows a quick initial burst off the line for a man his size, his move set remains limited. He leans heavily on his bull rush and long-arm techniques, and when those are neutralized, he currently lacks the counters to continue affecting the play.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not a flashy pick, but it\u2019s a necessary one. The Steelers need a brick wall up front, and Corleone would help anchor that effort.<\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0Michael Taaffe\/S\/Texas, Sam Roush\/TE\/Stanford, Harold Perkins\/LB\/LSU, Anthony Lucas\/EDGE\/USC<\/p>\n Dontay Corleone Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Round 4 (135th Overall): Taylen Green\/QB\/Arkansas<\/p>\n Expected Role:\u00a0Backup\/Developmental Prospect<\/p>\n Analysis: The ultimate wildcard at the quarterback position in this draft class. After dominating the Combine in Indianapolis, his athleticism was fully confirmed. Green is a freak of nature and is often the most physically gifted player on the field. However, playing quarterback requires far more than being a physical specimen. The fact that he\u2019s not being mentioned as a first-round pick\u2014despite the typical hype surrounding late risers\u2014shows how much growth his game still needs.<\/p>\n Green is a streaky passer who thrives when he\u2019s in rhythm. When everything comes together, he shows a lively arm with impressive velocity, driving the ball into tight windows. He is wildly inconsistent, though. His lower-body mechanics frequently break down under pressure, and he often throws off his back foot, failing to properly set his base.<\/p>\n His feel in the pocket is another area that must improve. Despite being nearly 6\u20196\u201d, he lacks the presence and subtlety to navigate muddy pockets. He\u2019s more likely to drift backward when sensing pressure rather than stepping up and trusting his protection. There\u2019s also a tendency to be fooled by post-snap coverage rotations, leading to errant throws that will need to be cleaned up.<\/p>\n Besides winning games, Mike McCarthy was hired for a primary reason: to find and develop the next franchise signal-caller. Green serves as the ultimate litmus test for the coach\u2019s ability to develop talent, because there is no questioning the physical gifts. As a dart throw on Day Three, this is a risk worth taking.<\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0Charles Demmings\/CB\/Stephen F. Austin, Oscar Delp\/TE\/Georgia, Keyron Crawford\/EDGE\/Auburn, Jaishawn Barham\/LB\/Michigan<\/p>\n Taylen Green Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Round 5 (161st Overall): Jeff Caldwell\/WR\/Cincinnati<\/p>\n Expected Role: Rotational Depth\/Developmental Prospect<\/p>\n Analysis: The Steelers have already bolstered their receiving room with Pittman, and adding Branch in this mock solidifies the top three. Still, the depth behind them is thin. That\u2019s where Caldwell comes in as a developmental swing.<\/p>\n Caldwell is a 6\u20195\u201d burner who ran a 4.31 with a 42\u2033 vertical and 11\u20192\u2033 broad jump, giving him one of the best size-speed profiles in the class. His game, however, is raw. He mainly ran verticals and quick slants in college and hasn\u2019t shown a full route tree yet, though his suddenness at the top of routes lets him separate.<\/p>\n His greatest asset is his hands. Caldwell has a massive catch radius and can make acrobatic grabs when high-pointing the ball. If he learns to consistently play to his size, he\u2019ll be a tough cover.<\/p>\n Caldwell is a long-term project who may never become a starter, but traits like his are rare. I\u2019m willing to take a flier on him to add much-needed juice to this receiver room.<\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0Eli Raridon\/TE\/Notre Dame, VJ Payne\/S\/Kansas State, Aamil Wagner\/OT\/Notre Dame, Marlin Klein\/TE\/Michigan<\/p>\n Jeff Caldwell Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Round 6 (216th Overall): Andre Fuller\/CB\/Toledo<\/p>\n Expected Role:\u00a0Rotational Depth\/Special Teams Contributor<\/p>\n Analysis: The organization has done well to bolster its cornerback room with the addition of Jamel Dean and the retention of Asante Samuel Jr. Drafting the position is no longer nearly as big of a need as it was two weeks ago. However, the room still needs added depth, and the loss of James Pierre means the search for a new gunner begins.<\/p>\n Much like the other cornerbacks currently on the roster, Fuller excels in press coverage and getting physical early in the rep. He is at his best when he can disrupt a receiver\u2019s timing off the line. However, his game needs development when he is asked to play tight man coverage. While his long speed is effective, his short-area burst is questionable, raising concerns when he is forced into recovery mode.<\/p>\n He is much more effective in zone coverage. His processing of route combinations while maintaining vision on the quarterback is well developed. His longer wingspan also serves him well when condensing throwing lanes and attacking at the catch point.<\/p>\n Fuller is unlikely to contribute early on the defensive side, but he has developmental traits worth investing in. If he is able to stick on the roster, he could develop into an impactful contributor in future years.<\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0Riley Nowakowski\/TE\/Indiana, Mason Reiger\/EDGE\/Wisconsin, Dae\u2019Quan Wright\/TE\/Ole Miss, Fernando Carmona\/IOL\/Arkansas<\/p>\n Round 7 (224th Overall): Mason Reiger\/EDGE\/Wisconsin<\/p>\n Expected Role:\u00a0 Rotational Depth\/Special Teams Contributor<\/p>\n Analysis: Late in the draft, the Steelers should be looking to add as much talent as possible to round out their depth. While edge rushers are the strongest aspect of their defense, it doesn\u2019t hurt to strengthen the room even further. After he dominated the Shrine Bowl and earned Defensive MVP honors, Reiger gained significant recognition in draft circles.<\/p>\n Reiger\u2019s pass rush is still a work in progress. He primarily wins with his non-stop motor and an explosive first step that immediately threatens the outside shoulder of tackles. There is also a good display of natural bend and the ability to sink under the lineman as he runs the arc. However, he converts speed to power inconsistently and stalls when defenders neutralize his initial plan of attack.<\/p>\n His effort as a run defender is also solid. He shows good processing speed with quick hands to stack and shed tight ends and smaller blockers. His arm length isn\u2019t ideal, and he shows only average play strength, allowing linemen to swallow him up when they latch on.<\/p>\n As a late-round dart throw, he fits the type the Steelers have historically developed well, especially Wisconsin edge rushers. Adding another productive Badger to the room should only strengthen it.<\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0Landon Robinson\/IDL\/Navy, Quintayvious Hutchins\/EDGE\/Boston College, Jadon Canady\/CB\/Oregon, Jakobe Thomas\/S\/Miami(FL)<\/p>\n Mason Reiger Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Round 7 (230th Overall): Keagen Trost\/IOL\/Missouri<\/p>\n Expected Role: Swing Tackle\/IOL Depth<\/p>\n Analysis: Taking Rutledge earlier in this mock locked in the core of an ascending offensive line, but adding depth up front should still be a priority. Bringing in a first-team All-SEC tackle like Trost is a strong next step. If he were younger, he\u2019d rank among this class\u2019s top linemen, but entering as a 25-year-old rookie may concern teams.<\/p>\n At Missouri, Trost was a rock in pass protection, showing a stout anchor and allowing just one sack over more than 400 pass-blocking snaps. However, his average lateral quickness and foot speed push him inside, where twitchier rushers are less likely to beat him around the edge. He truly excels in the run game as a classic road grader who wins the line of scrimmage, finishes blocks with a nasty edge and maintains good leverage and hand placement despite his height.<\/p>\n Short arms and limited lateral agility point him inside long term, but his tackle experience still provides swing versatility. He has the tools to be a high-end backup, and the Steelers could use that kind of depth on their offensive line.<\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0Robert Henry Jr.\/RB\/UTSA, Jalen Huskey\/S\/Maryland, Desmond Reid\/RB\/Pittsburgh, Nolan Rucci\/OT\/Penn State<\/p>\n Round 7 (237th Overall): Matthew Hibner\/TE\/SMU<\/p>\n Expected Role:\u00a0Sub-Package Depth\/Special Teams Contributor<\/p>\n Analysis: With the loss of Jonnu Smith and Connor Heyward, the Steelers now have only three tight ends on their roster. If they choose to add to the room, Hibner provides the athletic upside to be an intriguing late-round developmental option.<\/p>\n He\u2019s an incredibly explosive straight-line athlete who can stress the seam of a defense. At 251 pounds, he explodes off the line with receiver-like suddenness, quickly erasing safeties\u2019 and linebackers\u2019 cushion. His route tree still needs refinement, but his athleticism lets coaches deploy him in unconventional tight end roles.<\/p>\n There is still room for growth as a blocker, but not due to a lack of effort. His main issue lies in leverage. When playing in-line, Hibner will pop upright out of his stance, which limits his ability to wash down defenders. He also needs to sharpen his hand placement so he can consistently establish inside leverage and dictate engagements.<\/p>\n At this point in the draft, Hibner would be an excellent addition. He shows above-average athleticism for his size and logged extensive special teams snaps at Michigan. For a room built around Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington, Hibner would be a strong complement.<\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0TJ Hall\/CB\/Iowa, Wesley Williams\/IDL\/Duke, Justin Jefferson\/LB\/Alabama, Devon Marshall\/CB\/NC State<\/p>\n Previous Steelers Mock Draft Mondays<\/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><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Welcome to Mock Draft Monday, version 9.0! With the first week of free agency in the books, the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":139656,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[31803,73,75,74,1833,995,7666],"class_list":["post-139655","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\/139655","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=139655"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139655\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/139656"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=139655"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=139655"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=139655"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}