2026 NFL Draft•Steelers Analysis
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The 2026 NFL Draft process is entering the home stretch following the close of the NFL Combine on Sunday in Indianapolis, and that means it’s time for Pittsburgh Steelers mock draft season to kick into high gear.
Usually, after a week of watching prospects and talking to scouts and coaches, I feel like I have a pretty good handle on what the Steelers are thinking when it comes to this year’s draft class.
This year, it’s less clear than ever, with a handful of positions that could still be in the mix in the first round, let alone new players. That’s kind of uncertainty that a new coaching staff brings to the table.
Adding to the uncertainly is that the Steelers have too many draft picks. There’s no way that 12 rookies would make this team, so making all 12 picks seems foolish. But it’s not so easy when just doing a mock draft to make them go away.
It’s probably more likely that the Steelers trade away picks for players, or trade 2026 picks for 2027 picks, but in this mock, I had to find a way to whittle down that number somehow.
I traded away two and still have 10, and frankly, that’s probably still too many, but I just couldn’t come up with the scenarios that made sense to make more moves.
With so much salary cap space and so many pending free agents, we’ll know a lot more about this draft class after the free agent period, so we’ll do another one of these in a couple of weeks before the final one right before April’s draft.
Steelers Now Mock Draft Rules: For first-round picks, they must be within three spots of the selection on the NFL Mock Draft Database consensus big board, second-round picks must be within five spots, third-round picks with seven spots, fourth-round picks within 10 spots and later picks within 15 spots.
Trade: Steelers trade pick No. 21 in the first round and pick No. 75 in the third round to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for pick No. 15 in the first round and a 2027 fourth-round draft pick.
First round, No. 15 overall: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the second half at Mountain America Stadium on Oct 18, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; . — Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
If you eliminate his somewhat-extensive injury history from the equation, I think Jordyn Tyson is the most talented wide receiver in the draft class. He has an elite combination of traits that could make him one of the very best receivers in the NFL.
While he has been injured often, it’s a combination of ailments that doesn’t necessarily look repeatable. He missed one season with a major knee injury, part of another with a broken collarbone, and had a hamstring injury this year. That’s not a real pattern of anything other than randomness, and while his hamstring injury lingering until the present day has muddied the waters when it comes to his draft evaluation (Tyson did not run at the NFL Combine), I don’t think it hurts his long-term projection much.
The Steelers scouted Arizona State as much as any team in the country last season, with an obvious interest in both Tyson and Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt, who decided not to come out after his mid-season injury.
They also have a big-time connection on the coaching staff, as Tyson’s wide receivers coach is none other than Hines Ward. While Mike McCarthy and Ward don’t necessarily have a lot of overlap, Omar Khan has been on the Steelers’ staff since Ward’s fourth season.
In terms of the fit, well, there isn’t an offense that Tyson would look bad in, and Khan has repeatedly shown a willingness to take chances on otherwise talented players whose stock has fallen because of injury concerns.
The trade-up is expensive, and to a team with fewer picks, with the likelihood of a player like Denzel Boston, KC Concepcion or Omar Cooper being available at No. 21, you could make an argument it’s not really worth it. But I was trying to find a way to take fewer picks, not more, and Tyson is the one elite talent that I think has a decent chance of falling to within the Steelers’ range.
Others considered at 15: USC WR Makai Lemon, Penn State OG Vega Ioane, Clemson DT Peter Woods.
Others considered at 21: Clemson CB Avieon Terrell, Washington WR Denzel Boston, Alabama G/T Kadyn Proctor, Florida DT Caleb Banks, Texas A&M WR KC Concepcion.
Second round, No. 53 overall: CB Keionte Scott, Miami
Miami cornerback Keionte Scott in a game against Pitt on Nov. 29, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Pittsburgh Sports Now
The Steelers have not traditionally invested heavily in the slot cornerback position, but that changed in a big way in 2025, when the team traded starting safety Minkah Fitzpatrick for cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
That plan didn’t end up playing out the way the Steelers hoped, with Juan Thornhill unable to fill in at safety and Ramsey being moved to the back of the defense. It’s still unclear where Ramsey will be playing in 2026, but with him turning 32 years old this fall, the intended investment in the slot should still be part of the team’s draft plans this year, regardless of where Ramsey plays.
Scott is probably a slot or zone cornerback only at 5-foot-11, 193 pounds, but he is an explosive athlete, and when you look at the Steelers’ 2025 secondary, their most-glaring weakness was a lack of team speed. Scott didn’t run at the combine, but his tape shows plenty of burst, and he’s an above-average run defender, especially for his size, which helps make the projection to a Nickel role an easy one.
Others considered: Louisville WR Chris Bell, Georgia WR Zachariah Branch, Tennessee WR Chris Brazzell, Indiana CB D’angelo Ponds, Iowa G/T Gennings Dunker, Arizona State CB Keith Abney II, Cincinnati LB Jake Golday, Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez, LSU S A.J. Haulcy, Indiana WR Elijah Sarratt, Alabama WR Germie Bernard
Third round, No. 85 overall: DT Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State
Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Darrell Jackson Jr. (6) prepares for the snap during the first quarter against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on Nov 23, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA. — Melina Myers / Imagn ImagesCredit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images
The Steelers have made big strides in their defensive line rebuild over the last couple of classes, with Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black looking like the young nucleus of what could be a very successful unit down the road.
But with Cam Heyward entering the final year of his contract — and probably more importantly, his age 37 season — the Steelers aren’t quite done along the defensive line just yet.
Jackson is a big bear of a man, another very strong run stopper. He’s a bit inconsistent at times, but has enormous 34 3/4-inch arms at 6-foot-5 1/2 and has played over the A gap for Florida State and has two-gapped, as well, which makes an easy projection to be a nose tackle in the Steelers’ 3-4 base defense. He can also play three-technique, though his pass-rush moves are not as refined as Benton’s were with a similar collegiate resume.
Others considered: Georgia Tech G Keylan Rutledge, Penn State S Zakee Wheatley, Florida G Jake Slaughter, Iowa State DT Domonique Orange, LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier, Penn State QB Drew Allar, Georgia State WR Ted Hurst
Third round, No. 99 overall: FS Genesis Smith, Arizona
Arizona Wildcats defensive back Genesis Smith (12) against the Baylor Bears at Casino Del Sol Stadium on Nov 22, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA. — Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn ImagesCredit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Steelers tried a stop-gap solution to replace Fitzpatrick in 2025 and it failed. Whatever the answer is in 2025, this is a shot at finding the long-term replacement for the future. Genesis Smith is a pure centerfielder at free safety, and he has the athleticism and explosiveness to be a real playmaker from that position, as well.
He didn’t run the 40-yard dash at the combine, but he did post an absurd 42.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-8 broad jump. At 6-foot-2 and 202 pounds, if his 40 time is even average, he’s going to have an elite Relative Athletic Score.
He has solid production, as well, with four interceptions and 14 passes defended over his last two seasons at Arizona.
He’s not necessarily the hardest hitter or the surest tackler, which is why he’s going to be around at the end of the third round, but in terms of pure cover safeties, he might be the best in the draft class.
Others considered: Oklahoma DT Gracen Halton, USC WR Jacobi Lane, Alabama LB Deontae Lawson, Notre Dame G Billy Schrauth, UConn WR Skyler Bell, Duke CB Chandler Rivers, Cincinnati DT Dontay Corleone, Texas A&M CB Will Lee III, Southeastern Lousiana DT Kaleb Proctor
Fourth round, No. 121 overall: G Beau Stephens, Iowa
Iowa offensive lineman Beau Stephens (70) celebrates with running back Kaleb Johnson in the second quarter against Nebraska during a NCAA football game on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. — Bryon Houlgrave / The Register / USA TODAY NETWORKCredit: Bryon Houlgrave/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK
I expect the Steelers to make some kind of signing at guard in free agency, and maybe if they commit enough resources to that position there, it might take guard off the board for the team in the draft, but as things stand right now, they could use at least one more linemen to complete their rebuild project, and I really like Beau Stephens out of Iowa.
Compared to some of the Steelers’ other picks, he’s a real pass-block technician. He did not allow a single sack over his final three seasons at Iowa. He’s not the biggest guy, but he’s big enough at 6-foot-5 1/2, 315 pounds, and he’d fit right in next to Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick in the middle of the Pittsburgh offensive line.
Others considered: TCU S Bud Clark, South Carolina S Jalon Kilgore, LSU LB Harold Perkins, Georgia CB Daylen Everette, Miami QB Carson Beck, Texas S Michael Taaffe, Oklahoma WR Deion Burks, Missouri DL Chris McClellan, Alabama DL Tim Keenan III, North Dakota State WR Bryce Lance, Arkansas QB Taylen Green
Fifth round, No. 135 overall: WR Kevin Coleman, Missouri
Missouri Tigers wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. (3) runs the ball against the Virginia Cavaliers during the third quarter at EverBank Stadium on Dec 27, 2025; Jacksonville, FL, USA.. — Travis Register / Imagn ImagesCredit: Travis Register-Imagn Images
Kevin Coleman is slightly undersized, but has a lot of experience as a four-year college player that played in four different offenses over an itinerant collegiate career.
He seems like a perfect slot option to complement Tyson and DK Metcalf, while being a different enough player compared to Roman Wilson that there’s room for both of them, should the former third-round pick pan out the way the Steelers still hope he will.
Others considered: Penn State RB Kaytron Allen, Alabama IOL Parker Brailsford, Michigan LB Jaishawn Barham, Indiana IOL Pat Coogan, Michigan DL Rayshaun Benny, Texas A&M LB Taurean York, Penn State DT Zane Durant, Kentucky IOL Jalen Farmer, Oregon LB Bryce Boettcher, North Dakota State QB Cole Payton
Fifth round, No. 159 overall: RB Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest
I expect that the Steelers will probably take care of the running back position in free agency, but if they don’t, Demond Claiborne is a ready-made replacement for Kenneth Gainwell, with a 4.37-second 40-yard dash and great hands.
Others considered: Oregon CB Jadon Canady, Cal CB Hezeiah Masses, Texas A&M IOL Ar’maj Reed-Adams, Baylor WR Josh Cameron, Indiana LB Aiden Fisher, Ole Miss DL Zxavian Harris, Indiana RB Kaelon Black, Indiana S Louis Moore, Washington CB Ephesians Prysock, Texas Tech DL Skyler Gill-Howard, Miami WR C.J. Daniels, USC S Bishop Fitzgerald, TCU WR Eric McAlister, Clemson DT DeMonte Capehart
Trade: No. 213 and No. 214 in the sixth round to the Washington Commanders for No. 186 in the sixth round and a 2027 sixth-round pick. I’ve now added two picks to the 2027 class, and moved up in the sixth round.
Sixth round, No. 186 overall: LB Lander Barton, Utah
Utah Utes linebacker Lander Barton (8) on offense scores a touchdown pass against the UCLA Bruins during the first half at Rose Bowl on Aug 30, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA. — Gary A. Vasquez / Imagn Images
The Steelers have a player they hope is a big part of the future at the linebacker position who has a coverage-first skillset in Payton Wilson. The addition of Lander Barton would give them a totally different dimension. Barton is huge for an off-ball linebacker at 6-foot-5 and 233 pounds. Both of his older brothers have played in the NFL before him.
Others considered at 186: Texas IOL D.J. Campbell, Michigan State IOL Matt Gulbin, Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson, Ole Miss WR De’Zhaun Stribling, Kentucky RB Seth McGowna, USC LB Eric Gentry, Auburn IOL Jeremiah Wright, Texas A&M DL Albert Regis, John Carroll WR Tyren Montgomery, Virginia RB J’Mari Taylor, Buffalo LB Red Murdock
Others considered at 213, 214: Navy WR Eli Heidenreich, Miami S Jakobe Thomas, NC State CB Devon Marshall, Georgia Tech WR Eric Rivers, Stephen F. Austin CB Charles Demmings, Clemson RB Adam Randall, Illinois QB Luke Altmeyer, Iowa WR/KR Kaden Wetjen, Texas Tech S Cole Wisniewski
Seventh round, No. 224 overall: CB Andre Fuller, Toledo
The Steelers tried to draft a big outside cornerback that projected to move to safety at the NFL level a couple of classes ago, when they took Ryan Watts late out of Texas. Watts seemed to be having some success in making the transition, when a neck injury ended his career in the preseason of his rookie season.
This is another bite at the same apple, as Fuller is a 6-foot-1, 200-pound outside cornerback who had solid testing, with a 4.49-second 40-yard dash and a 35-inch vertical for a 9.19 Relative Athletic Score.
Fuller isn’t quite fluid enough in man coverage to stick at outside cornerback at the NFL level without some improvements, but he could project as a big zone defender or a safety, as well as an above-average special teamer.
Seventh round, No. 227 overall: OT Nolan Rucci, Penn State
Penn State tackle Nolan Rucci in a game against Nevada on Aug. 30, 2025 — Matthew Lynch / Nittany Sports Now
A rarity for a late-round offensive tackle prospect, Nolan Rucci is a better pass protector than he is a run blocker. The Steelers are looking for a new No. 4 tackle with Calvin Anderson just released, and Rucci could fit that mold.
Others considered: Kansas QB Jalon Daniels, Indiana RB Roman Herby, UTSA RB Robert Henry Jr., Cincinnati WR Cyrus ALlen, Oklahoma State Robert Spears-Jennings, Notre Damę S Jalen Stroman
Mentioned In This Article: 2026 NFL Draft Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers top