NFL Insider Suggests Three Non-Receiver Names Steelers Could Draft In First Round

Wide receiver has been a position frequently linked to the Pittsburgh Steelers early in the 2026 NFL Draft, but NFL insider Jason La Canfora believes there’s a chance the Steelers go elsewhere. Going off information from league sources, La Canfora reported for Sports Boom that the Steelers are interested in Ohio State DL Kayden McDonald, Oregon S Dillon Thieneman and Alabama OL Kadyn Proctor in the first round.

None of those three have yet to come in for pre-draft visits with the Steelers, but the team did have formal meetings with Thieneman and McDonald at the NFL Combine. Proctor makes sense as a prospect who can play either tackle or guard. The Steelers lost Isaac Seumalo in free agency, and if they don’t pick up Broderick Jones’ fifth-year option, they will have both Jones and Dylan Cook on expiring contracts. Proctor’s versatility could be intriguing as an NFL-ready guard and potential long-term starting tackle.

The Steelers hinted they could be interested in an early-round safety when they brought Emmanuel McNeil-Warren for a pre-draft visit, and McDonald is a true run-plugger who could play nose tackle in Pittsburgh. The Steelers have had issues defending the run since the second half of the 2024 season. Keeanu Benton may be out of his depth as a nose tackle, and drafting McDonald would allow him to move to defensive end. It’s something Pittsburgh’s new staff could certainly consider.

There hasn’t been much buzz linking those three names to Pittsburgh, which makes La Canfora’s report intriguing. The Steelers could be playing their cards close to their vest with who they’re truly interested in, but it will be worth watching to see if any of the three come in for a pre-draft visit. Under Omar Khan, the Steelers haven’t taken a first-round pick who had not come in for a pre-draft visit with the team.

It would break precedent if one of the three is selected without a pre-draft visit. La Canfora’s guess if the Steelers did take a receiver would be WR Jordyn Tyson, and he’s also yet to come in for a pre-draft visit. While it would break precedent, all three make a lot of sense for the Steelers. For Thieneman, the prevailing thought is he won’t be on the board by No. 21 overall, and Proctor also could be gone, with McDonald is the most likely to be around. If one or more of the three names La Canfora reported are still around, we’ll see if the Steelers feel strongly enough to bypass receiver, as he believes.