With free agency dust largely settled, I\u2019m back with my latest and updated Pittsburgh Steelers mock draft. The pieces of the team\u2019s needs and interest are becoming clearer to create a more-informed mock. With a dozen picks, Pittsburgh has ample chances to plug roster holes and add an infusion of talent.<\/p>\n
One note. I\u2019m not predicting trades in this mock. I understand Pittsburgh is unlikely to make all 12 of its current selections, but my mocks typically don\u2019t reflect trades. For now, I intend on keeping it that way.<\/p>\n
As always, let me know your thoughts in the comments below. I\u2019ll likely release my third mock in early-to-mid April before my final edition is published right before the draft.<\/p>\n
Mock Draft (Pre-Free Agency)<\/a><\/p>\n Round One (21st Overall) \u2013 Emmanuel McNeil-Warren\/S Toledo: 6034, 201 pounds<\/p>\n Analysis: I went cornerback in my first mock draft, and now safety in this one. Debated between Oregon\u2019s Dillon Thieneman and McNeil-Warren. Thieneman is probably the better true free safety but there\u2019s a greater chance he\u2019s gone by No. 21 than McNeil-Warren.<\/p>\n In his own right, McNeil-Warren is a solid prospect without a glaring weakness. He has size, range, hit power (nine career forced fumbles) with good workout numbers. He can play free safety, strong safety, and over slot.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh\u2019s bolstered safety by signing Jaquan Brisker and retaining Jalen Ramsey. It\u2019s not an immediate need. But DeShon Elliott, Darnell Savage, Brisker, and Ramsey are all free agents after the 2026 season, and the Steelers are missing a young and long-term option. That\u2019s McNeil-Warren.<\/p>\n So far, the team\u2019s interest in him has seemed light, but we\u2019ll see if he comes in for a pre-draft visit.<\/p>\n Emmanuel McNeil-Warren Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Others Considered: WR Omar Cooper Jr., OG Olaivavega Ioane, WR Denzel Boston<\/p>\n Round Two (53rd Overall)\u2013 Germie Bernard\/WR Alabama: 6012, 206 pounds<\/p>\n Analysis: Pittsburgh waits until Round 2 to address wide receiver, benefitting from a deep class. Bernard brings a blend of size, good-enough athleticism, savvy route running, and inside\/outside versatility. Pittsburgh needs someone who can separate and get open. Bernard can be that guy. He\u2019s been productive and checks the boxes Pittsburgh looks for. Most of Mike McCarthy\u2019s drafted receivers have been at least six feet,<\/a> and Bernard easily clears that bar.<\/p>\n Bernard reportedly has an upcoming visit with the Steelers. A clear sign of interest.<\/p>\n He can come in as the No. 3 from Day 1 to revamp Pittsburgh\u2019s wide receivers room. Being a little older and experienced will help the learning curve with QB Aaron Rodgers, should be return.<\/p>\n Germie Bernard Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Others Considered: WR Zachariah Branch, DL Christen Miller, OG Chase Bisontis, ILB Jacob Rodriguez<\/p>\n Round Three (76th Overall) \u2013 Billy Schrauth\/OG Notre Dame: 6050, 310 pounds<\/p>\n Analysis: I didn\u2019t write our scouting report on Schrauth but liked what it said and the clips I\u2019ve watched. A plug \u2018n play guard with good size, he\u2019s a people mover in the running game.<\/p>\n He\u2019s played both guard spots with over 1,000 snaps on the left side and spent all last season playing there. He won\u2019t be guaranteed to start and replace Isaac Seumalo, but is likely the favorite over Spencer Anderson and Brock Hoffman. Day 2 is where Pittsburgh is most likely to address the interior offensive line.<\/p>\n Billy Schrauth Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Others Considered: WR Ted Hurst, ILB Kyle Louis, WR Antonio Williams<\/p>\n Round Three (85th Overall) \u2013 Daylen Everette\/CB Georgia: 6012, 196 pounds<\/p>\n Analysis: Surprised myself by going cornerback before the end of Day 2, but Pittsburgh having a trio of selections here helps. Everette is just good value to round out the room. He has size, speed, and comes highly experienced with 41 starts and more than 2,100 career snaps. He needs to clean up tackling and penalties, but the Steelers love their Georgia-to-Pittsburgh pipeline.<\/p>\n Asante Samuel Jr. and Brandin Echols are on expiring contracts, meaning Everette could push for a bigger role come 2027.<\/p>\n Daylen Everette Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Others Considered: OG Keylan Rutledge, S Zakee Wheatley, NT Domonique Orange<\/p>\n Round Three (99th Overall) \u2013 Cole Payton\/QB North Dakota State: 6025, 232 pounds<\/p>\n Analysis: I really debated this one. Not just if I should put a quarterback like Cole Payton in this mock, but where he should slot. Pittsburgh\u2019s interest in Payton is clear. Quarterbacks coach Tom Arth attended his Pro Day and Payton immediately flew into Pittsburgh for a visit.<\/p>\n His tools and upside are undeniable. Josh Allen-like as a runner with a live arm, the Steelers probably see him as an \u201cAFC North\u201d type of quarterback who is big, strong, and tough. He\u2019s a big project, but the developmental prospect a team like Pittsburgh should be going after.<\/p>\n Where will he be drafted? It\u2019s a hard question to answer. Most still think he\u2019ll be a Day 3 candidate, but I wouldn\u2019t be shocked if buzz keeps picking up on him in a QB weak class. The third round seems to be where teams are willing to stick their necks out for a developmental type of quarterback. Jalen Milroe in 2025, Hendon Hooker in 2023, and Malik Willis in 2022 are recent examples. That\u2019s where teams like Pittsburgh may come in on Payton, ones that don\u2019t want the long Day 2-to-3 wait where teams may try to trade up.<\/p>\n If Rodgers returns who becomes odd man out? I\u2019m not sure how it\u2019ll look. But teams like Pittsburgh need and want options when there isn\u2019t a long-term passer on the roster.<\/p>\n Cole Payton Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Others Considered: CB Tacario Davis, ILB Josiah Trotter, DB Jalon Kilgore<\/p>\n Round Four (121st Overall) \u2013 Chris McClellan\/DL Missouri: 6040, 313 pounds<\/p>\n Analysis: McClellan might be the perfect fit. He checks the size boxes of height, weight, and arm length with 34-inch vines. He blends run defense with a serviceable pass rush that produced six sacks in 2025. He profiles as a defensive end and long-term piece. As a rookie, he\u2019ll help round out the room as a No. 6 defensive lineman.<\/p>\n Our McClellan scouting report noted his hot motor, a requirement for Steelers d-linemen over the years.<\/p>\n Chris McClellan Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0QB Carson Beck, OT Markel Bell, QB Taylen Green<\/p>\n Round Four (135th Overall) \u2013 Drew Shelton\/OT Penn State: 6050, 313 pounds<\/p>\n Analysis: Offensive tackle is a little murky given Broderick Jones\u2019 neck injury, but Dylan Cook\u2019s strong showing down the stretch last season makes the situation less dire. Still, depth is needed. Shelton must get stronger but is athletic and a good pass protector capable of playing either tackle spot. Penn State even used him in creative tight end and split-out alignments to highlight his mobility.<\/p>\n Though unrelated to why Pittsburgh should draft him, but Shelton and QB Will Howard were high school teammates<\/a>. In this scenario, they reunite with Shelton maybe one day blocking for Howard again.<\/p>\n Drew Shelton Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0LB\/EDGE Jaishawn Barham, OL Brian Parker II, DL Rayshaun Benny<\/p>\n Round Five (161st Overall) \u2013 Marlin Klein\/TE Michigan: 6060, 248 pounds<\/p>\n Analysis: Tight end isn\u2019t a screaming need but Pittsburgh only has two assured of making its 53-man roster: Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth. Klein will have the inside track on the No. 3 spot. Well-built, his college production was light, but it\u2019s hard to find tight ends who put up big numbers. At the Combine, he impressed with a 4.63 40 and good jumps. A deep tight end class could still push him down.<\/p>\n A worthwhile add on Day 3.<\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0DL James Thompson Jr., LB Harold Perkins Jr., CB Hezekiah Masses<\/p>\n Round Six (216th Overall) \u2013 Kendrick Law\/WR Kentucky: 5113, 203 pounds<\/p>\n Analysis: Law came in for a visit earlier this month and though he\u2019s listed as a wide receiver, his value and path come on special teams. Law\u2019s speed and background make him an option on kick returns. He\u2019s also interesting because of his coverage value with an extensive background as a gunner, especially during his career at Alabama.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh has Ben Skowronek, but Law is a different type of receiver. A gadget-type prospect Mike McCarthy might use better than past Steelers coordinators. High character and coming off a breakout 2025 with the Wildcats, he\u2019s a worthy candidate late in the draft.<\/p>\n Kendrick Law Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0CB Ephesians Prysock, OG Evan Beerntsen, OT Riley Mahlman<\/p>\n Round Seven (224th Overall) \u2013\u00a0Adam Randall\/RB Clemson: 6033, 232 pounds<\/p>\n Analysis: Randall is someone I\u2019ve liked while watching from afar. I didn\u2019t write his Depot scouting report, but he impressed in the Clemson tape I\u2019ve watched of teammates, and he had solid Combine and Pro Day workouts.<\/p>\n A former wide receiver converted to running back, Randall\u2019s pass-game ability is intriguing. He might not have always shown it last season and his game as a runner is developing. Still, he\u2019s worth adding to the running back mix even after the team reportedly agreed to terms with Travis Homer.<\/a> With a dozen picks, Pittsburgh can make selections seen as luxuries and add competition to each room.<\/p>\n