Just like that, the pre-draft process has come and gone. The 2026 NFL Draft is just six days away.
All of the work on the prospects, from tape to background and medical checks, are complete. Now it’s about finalizing the board for teams and gearing up for a busy three days in the Steel City.
For the Pittsburgh Steelers, the pre-draft process was a busy one. The Steelers signed a number of players in free agency and lost some key pieces in the process, too. They also made a big trade to land Michael Pittman Jr., shoring up the WR2 position behind DK Metcalf.
Yet despite all the moves, the Steelers are still waiting for a decision from 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers – a decision many insiders expected prior to free agency. Here we are, though.
So, as the draft draws near, the needs for the Steelers are pretty clear. With that in mind, below is my final version of a seven-round mock for the Black and Gold.
Pencils down!
I hope you enjoy.
ROUND 1 (21ST OVERALL) – OLAIVAVEGA IOANE, iOL, PENN STATE
Analysis: Throughout the pre-draft process and three previous mock drafts, I’ve landed on wide receiver over and over again. Not this time, though.
After a pre-draft visit for Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane checked a huge box for the Steelers, I feel very comfortable slotting him here at No. 21 overall. The usual pushback will be “he won’t be on the board” and the Baltimore Ravens are a clear threat at No. 14 overall. The league just doesn’t value guard as highly as tackle, though, and I think Ioane slides right to the Steelers, much like David DeCastro did a number of years ago.
He’s a plug-and-play starter at left guard immediately for the Steelers and projects as a Pro Bowl talent right away. With his tape at Penn State and what he does well, he could even reach All-Pro status at some point in his career. This would be a home-run selection for the Steelers. It fits the mold of building through the trenches again.
Others considered: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington; Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama; Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Previous selection: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington (version 1.0), KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M (version 2.0), Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State (version 3.0)
Olaivavega Ioane Scouting Report
ROUND 2 (53RD OVERALL) — GERMIE BERNARD, WR, ALABAMA
Analysis: Passing on a receiver in the first round is tough for me, but Alabama’s Germie Bernard would be a great consolation prize in the second round, plugging a major need offensively. He’s not the biggest or the fastest at the position, but he fits the mold of a Mike McCarthy receiver.
All Bernard did last season with the Crimson Tide was make plays. He’s tough as nails, can align all over the formation, and has consistent hands. He’d pair perfectly with the likes of DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. offensively, allowing McCarthy to move all three around the formation snap-to-snap.
Others considered: Jacob Rodriguez, ILB, Texas Tech; Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia; A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU
Previous selection: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State (version 1.0), Gennings Dunker, iOL, Iowa (version 2.0), A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU (version 3.0)
Germie Bernard Scouting Report
ROUND 3 (76TH OVERALL, FROM COWBOYS) — KYLE LOUIS, LB, PITTSBURGH
Analysis: Quietly throughout the pre-draft process, the Steelers have shown interest in off-ball linebackers. Patrick Queen enters the final year of his contract, and he’s been a bit of a disappointment his first two years in Pittsburgh. Payton Wilson had an up-and-down 2025 season, and Malik Harrison was rough in his first season with the Steelers.
It’s a clear need for the Steelers, and they need another athletic specimen at the position. They won’t have to look far for Pittsburgh’s Kyle Louis, who shares the facility with Pittsburgh. Louis was dominant the last two years with the Panthers. He has tremendous range and is outstanding in coverage, leading to some wondering if he could slide to safety in the NFL.
He’ll stay at linebacker here and projects as a three-down force at the position.
Others considered: Darnell Jackson Jr., DL, Florida State; Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia; Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
Previous selection: Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU (version 1.0), Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia (version 2.0), Keylan Rutledge, iOL, Georgia Tech (version 3.0)
ROUND 3 (85TH OVERALL) — MALIK MUHAMMAD, CB, TEXAS
Analysis: Time and time again since the signing of Jamel Dean, I’ve still pounded the table for cornerback being a significant need for the Steelers. Their actions based on pre-draft visits spoke loudly, too, as the Steelers signaled they’re clearly in the market for a cornerback in the 2026 NFL Draft.
With one of the three third-round picks, it makes sense to address the position here and do so with another pre-draft visitor in Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad. The Texas product has good size and length, fitting the mold that the Steelers have looked for at the position in recent years.
The ball skills aren’t quite there yet with just three career interceptions, but he’s sound in coverage and projects as a nice developmental piece behind Joey Porter Jr., Dean and Asante Samuel Jr. in 2026.
Others considered: Domonique Orange, DL, Iowa State; Chris McClellan, DL, Missouri; Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State
Previous selection: Darrell Jackson Jr., DL, Florida State (version 1.0), Drew Allar, QB, Penn State (version 2.0), Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia (version 3.0)
Malik Muhammad Scouting Report
ROUND 3 (99TH OVERALL — COMPENSATORY) — TRAVIS BURKE, OT, MEMPHIS
Analysis: Another pre-draft visitor here in Memphis offensive tackle Travis Burke. The Steelers have some questions along the offensive line, particularly at left tackle moving forward. Burke played primarily right tackle in college at Memphis, Florida International and Gardner-Webb, so he might not be able to help out at left tackle right away in 2026. But he’s a great athlete with tremendous size at 6086, 325 pounds with 34 1/4-inch arms.
He has a lot of experience at right tackle in three stops in college, so he could be a nice backup for Troy Fautanu in 2026 while learning how to play left tackle behind the scenes, should the Steelers choose to do that. With new offensive line coaches James Campen and Jahri Evans in place, it’s all about development.
Burke has a very high ceiling.
Others considered: Markel Bell, OT, Miami (FL); Drew Allar, QB, Penn State; Carson Beck, QB, Miami (FL)
Previous selection: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson (version 1.0), Markel Bell, OT, Miami (FL) (version 2.0), Austin Barber, OT, Florida (version 3.0)
ROUND 4 (121ST OVERALL) — COLE PAYTON, QB, NORTH DAKOTA STATE
Analysis: Quarterback is a real need for the Steelers, regardless of what Aaron Rodgers decides to do. With a new coaching staff in place and McCarthy overseeing the quarterback position, the Steelers have reportedly expressed frustration with the lack of athleticism at the position in this draft class, so why not pair them with arguably the most athletic, dynamic quarterback in the class?
The Steelers have done a ton of work on North Dakota State’s Cole Payton. QBs coach Tom Arth was at his Pro Day, and the Steelers hosted him for a pre-draft visit. He’s still very raw as a passer and needs some development, but he’s a dynamic weapon with his legs and could provide some designed-run packages as a rookie, particularly in the red zone as he develops under McCarthy.
Keep taking swings at the most important position in sports until you find a franchise guy.
Others considered: Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State; Sam Roush, TE, Stanford; Tacario Davis, CB, Washington
Previous selection: Bud Clark, S, TCU (version 1.0), Kaden Wetjen, WR/PR, Iowa (version 2.0), Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State (version 3.0)
ROUND 4 (135TH OVERALL, COMPENSATORY) — MARLIN KLEIN, TE, MICHIGAN
Analysis: After cutting Jonnu Smith ahead of free agency and surprisingly losing Connor Heyward to the Las Vegas Raiders on the open market, the Steelers have a need at tight end behind Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth. Michigan’s Marlin Klein was one of just two tight ends who visited the Steelers on an official pre-draft trip, so chances are high he’ll hear his name called by the Steelers.
Klein has great size but had limited production as a pass catcher. Still, he projects as a nice piece at the position, someone who can handle an in-line blocking role, but has the athleticism and traits to be a potential weapon downfield as a No. 3 TE early in his career.
Others considered: Nate Boerkircher, TE, Texas A&M; De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss; Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State
Previous selection: Nick Singleton, RB, Penn State (version 1.0), DeMonte Capehart, DL, Clemson (version 2.0), Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU (version 3.0)
ROUND 5 (161ST OVERALL) — JAKOBE THOMAS, S, MIAMI (FL)
Analysis: Much like cornerback, safety is a major need for the Steelers, even with the addition of Jaquan Brisker this offseason and the expected signing of Darnell Savage at some point. DeShon Elliott is set to return from his season-ending injury, and Jalen Ramsey has the versatility to play in the slot, on the boundary or at safety like he did last season. But Pittsburgh needs to add some youth to the position.
That’s where Miami (FL)’s Jakobe Thomas comes in. Another pre-draft visitor, Thomas broke out in his lone season with the Hurricanes, recording 76 total tackles, five interceptions, six passes defensed and 3.5 sacks after transferring from Tennessee. He can play all over the defense but appears most comfortable in two-high and single-safety looks where everything is in front of him and he can drive downhill.
That fits in new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham’s defense and could give the Steelers a real weapon on special teams early in his career, too.
Others considered: Jeff Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati; Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington; Tim Keenan III, DL, Alabama
Previous selection: Ar’maj Reed-Adams, iOL, Texas A&M (version 1.0), Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington (version 2.0), Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington (version 3.0)
ROUND 6 (216TH OVERALL, COMPENSATORY) — KENDRICK LAW, WR, KENTUCKY
Analysis: The Steelers have a major need on special teams in the return games, and they need more depth at receiver, too. Kentucky’s Kendrick Law checks both of those boxes here in the sixth round.
The Steelers hosted Law for a pre-draft visit and got a good look at the diminutive receiver. He started out his career at Alabama before transferring to Kentucky for his final season, and while the production wasn’t all that good (53 receptions, 540 yards, 3 TDs), he can line up all over the offense and brings that return ability to the table, which will help him stick on the roster.
Others considered: Desmond Reid, RB/KR, Pittsburgh; Kaden Wetjen, WR/KR, Iowa; Barion Brown, WR, LSU
Previous selection: James Thompson, DL, Illinois (version 1.0), Red Murdock, LB, Buffalo (version 2.0), Kaden Wetjen, WR/KR, Iowa (version 3.0)
ROUND 7 (224TH OVERALL, FROM PATRIOTS) — LORENZO STYLES, DB, OHIO STATE
Analysis: The Steelers lost a ton on special teams this offseason via free agency and haven’t really adequately replaced some of the losses, so that’s what this first of three picks in the seventh round aims to address with Ohio State defensive back Lorenzo Styles.
There’s a Pittsburgh connection here with Styles, as his father was a former WPIAL star, and he has the NFL bloodlines as the brother of Sonny Styles, a likely top 10 pick in the draft. Lorenzo Styles can play corner or safety, is blazing fast, and even has some kick return work in his career, too.
Others considered: Louis Moore, S, Indiana; Cole Wisniewski, S, Texas Tech; Mason Reiger, OLB, Wisconsin
Previous selection: Xavian Sorey Jr., LB, Arkansas (version 1.0), Max Bredeson, FB/TE, Michigan (version 2.0), James Thompson Jr., DL, Illinois
Lorenzo Styles Scouting Report
ROUND 7 (230TH OVERALL, FROM COLTS) — JAMES THOMPSON JR., DL, ILLINOIS
Analysis: This just feels like a classic Steelers pick, and it’s felt that way with Illinois defensive lineman James Thompson Jr. throughout the pre-draft process. He has the size and length the Steelers covet along the defensive line, and he can play all over the 3-4 front.
He’s not much of a pass rusher at this point, but he’s a good run defender who can provide some early-game snaps to help keep the likes of Cameron Heyward, Derrick Harmon and Keeanu Benton fresh later into games. I compared him to former Steelers defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk in my scouting report, so it makes sense to land him here in the mock.
Others considered: Cameron Ball, DL, Arkansas; Tristan Leigh, OT, Clemson; Trey Moore, OLB, Texas
Previous selection: Riley Nowakowski, FB/TE, Indiana (version 1.0), Lorenzo Styles, S, Ohio State (version 2.0), Max Bredeson, FB, Michigan (version 3.0)
James Thompson Jr. Scouting Report
ROUND 7 (237TH OVERALL) — MAX BREDESON, FB, MICHIGAN
Analysis: With McCarthy as the new head coach of the Steelers, the fullback position is poised to make a comeback in Pittsburgh, and in a big way. The only issue? Pittsburgh needs a fullback on the roster.
Enter Michigan’s Max Bredeson. He can play some in-line tight end, too, but he projects as an old-school fullback that barrels through the offensive line and lands devastating blocks to spring the run game. He can catch the ball a bit out of the backfield, too, and will be a demon on special teams. The only real issue with Bredeson is some durability concerns.
But he projects as a sound fullback for McCarthy and could give the Steelers a real edge to the run game while plugging a major hole on special teams, too.
Others considered: Patrick Payton, OLB, LSU; Alex Tecza, FB, Navy; Riley Mahlman, OT, Wisconsin
Previous selection: Riley Mahlman, OT, Wisconsin (version 1.0), Micah Morris, iOL, Georgia (version 2.0), Bobby Jamison-Travis, NT, Auburn (version 3.0)