The Pittsburgh Steelers are projected to have five picks through the first three rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. Compared to the two they had a year ago, that gives them an opportunity to start a significant youth movement on an aging roster desperate for one. Pro Football Focus conducted a three-round mock earlier this week and opted for an offensive overhaul on Pittsburgh\u2019s roster.<\/p>\n
First Round
\nNo. 20 \u2013 QB Ty Simpson \u2013 Alabama<\/p>\n
Simpson fell off a bit at the end of the college season, but he could revitalize his draft stock with a strong performance in the College Football Playoffs. If he doesn\u2019t return to college and the Steelers don\u2019t use their 12 picks to move up, Simpson feels like a realistic option.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do think it\u2019s realistic \u2019cause I think Simpson\u2019s stock has actually fallen the last month or so in SEC play with the way that he\u2019s played. But you then wonder, okay, is it a question of how desperate are the Steelers to find somebody,\u201d Dalton Wasserman said via PFF\u2019s YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Steelers obviously want to be drafting a quarterback this year, but will one be available that makes sense? Are they going to be forced to take a flyer on a Day 2 prospect?<\/p>\n Simpson is intriguing as a one-year starter with 26 TDs and 5 INTs, but he isn\u2019t a first-round slam dunk after a shaky end to the season for Alabama.<\/p>\n Second Round Lane would add another physically imposing body type to the Steelers\u2019 WR room along with DK Metcalf. Listed at 6-4, 195 pounds, the Steelers would have one of the biggest groups of pass catchers in the league if they added Lane.<\/p>\n Most of the focus will be on his teammate Makai Lemon as a slot receiver in the first round, but Lane deserves a look on day two with 49 receptions for 745 yards and four TDs this year.<\/p>\n To pair with his size, he has elite ball-tracking abilities and a strong set of hands. While a similar size to Metcalf, he has a different skill set.<\/p>\n \u201cContested catch monster, that\u2019s what you need to know,\u201d Wasserman said. \u201cYou\u2019re really talking about a guy who can go up and get \u2019em.\u201d<\/p>\n Third Round After back-to-back picks to improve the offense and the passing game, the PFF crew have the Steelers hopping over to the defensive side of things to grab a talent that should never have fallen this far. Toledo has one of the best defenses in the country, and McNeil-Warren is the straw that stirs the drink.<\/p>\n The Steelers have both DeShon Elliott and Jalen Ramsey under contract, but I suppose they could move Ramsey back to a more hybrid role if they decide to grab a safety. They\u2019d have plenty of options if they did.<\/p>\n \u201cYou want a tough football player?\u201d Wasserman said. \u201cHe\u2019s the king of the peanut punch in college football right now. He\u2019s just an aggressive football player.\u201d<\/p>\n The explosiveness of Toledo\u2019s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (6\u20192\u201d, 200) doesn\u2019t take long to pop on tape. <\/p>\n Long, rangy, defender that hopefully takes the opportunity to raise his stock further at a pre draft showcase. One of the premier G5 players in the class. pic.twitter.com\/DgHLRzmXdJ<\/a><\/p>\n
\nNo. 52 \u2013 WR Ja\u2019Kobi Lane \u2013 USC<\/p>\n
\nNo. 72 \u2013 S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren \u2013 Toledo<\/p>\n