Prediction Has Steelers Making Massive Mistake By Reaching For A Quarterback In 2026 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a very important 2026 NFL Draft coming up. It's seemed like the franchise has always focused on the defensive side of the ball during the event in recent years, but that might not be the case anymore as Mike McCarthy if an offensive-minded head coach that probably wants to add to that side of the ball. Pittsburgh needs more weapons, and the franchise also needs a fix at quarterback. A wide receiver will certainly be drafted in 2026, and a quarterback is also high on the list of priorities, although Pittsburgh isn't really in a spot to land a starting-caliber player yet again.

It is obvious that the Steelers need help at wide receiver, and many fans believe that will be the approach in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, which is being hosted in Pittsburgh. The Steelers should be able to land a top wide receiver with the 21st overall pick, but the organization also has the draft capital to trade up if it wants to. Chad Reuter, a draft analyst for the NFL, put out his three-round mock draft recently. He had Pittsburgh landing KC Concepcion in the first round while reaching for quarterback Drew Allar early in the third round of the event.

Concepcion would be a great pick for Pittsburgh, but drafting Allar early in the third round might be a bit of a reach. The quarterback was viewed as a potential first-round pick before the 2025 season began, but he did not play well and his season ended when he broke his ankle. He is coming off of a season where he did not perform great and a fairly serious ankle injury raises concerns.

The Steelers have two third-round picks thanks to the franchise trading George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. Pittsburgh picks at 76 and at 85, and Reuter has the first of those picks being used on Allar. Reuter has Allar being one of three quarterbacks selected in the third round, with Carson Beck and Garrett Nussmeier being drafted before him.

Allar would be a decent value pick if he fell to Day 3 of the draft. He has raw tools and a ton of potential, but he has not learned how to best use those assets to his advantage. He makes far too many mistakes, but he has the frame and skills that could excite some franchises. Teams get excited about a quarterback with raw tools ever since the Josh Allen experiment worked out for the Buffalo Bills. Teams have been searching for the next Allen, and Allar fits that mold.

Allar has been compared to Allen, but there is no guarantee that he will get any better at playing quarterback. Reaching on him would be a major risk, especially when there are so many other areas on the roster that need to be upgraded and addressed. Will Howard can move around and has a big frame, he can be given a shot before taking a risk on a player like Allar.

Steelers Are Better Off Avoiding The Quarterback Position In The 2026 NFL Draft

The draft class in 2026 is relatively weak when it comes to the quarterback position. Hopes for the group were high ahead of the 2025 season, but a ton of players regressed and no one has really stood out outside of Fernando Mendoza. Pittsburgh would likely be better off finding a cheap quarterback via trade or in free agency -- someone who could provide some competition for the current quarterback room.

There is also a chance that Aaron Rodgers decides to come back, which would likely change the organization's strategy entering the draft.

What do you think about Allar landing with the Steelers? Let us know in the comments below!

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