The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to be one of the teams to watch during the 2026 NFL Draft. As of right now, the organization is projected to have 12 selections in the event, with four of those picks coming within the top 100 selections. The Steelers can make a splash during the draft, which would probably be welcomed as the event is being hosted in Pittsburgh. It is going to be an exciting three days with a ton of fans from all around the league, but the Steelers still need to focus on improving the team while moving on from some of their selections.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy and General Manager Omar Khan during McCarthy's introductory press conference in January 2026
Making 12 picks in a draft is ridiculous, and the Steelers will absolutely be attempting to trade some of this year's draft capital in exchange for draft capital in 2027. That is the right move to make, especially when searching for a franchise quarterback. That quarterback is not likely going to come from this draft as Fernando Mendoza is probably the only QB worth of that title, and he will be off the board no more than eight minutes into the event. Ty Simpson is another quarterback that could go in the first round, and the Steelers have been a popular landing spot for him in mock drafts with the 21st overall pick.
Selecting Simpson would be the splashy move, but it would be very risky as the organization would be reaching on a quarterback like it did back in 2022. Beat writer Ray Fittipaldo joined 93.7 The Fan on Wednesday morning to discuss draft strategy, and what could happen on draft night.
"Omar was asked about trading back into next year's draft with some of the draft capital you have this year -- the question was whether or not that is possible, and Omar said yes," Fittipaldo said. "That's on the table. You talk to people around the league, they also think that's going to be a popular thing to do this year. He's done really well with trades. Moving up, moving back in his first three seasons, that's something to keep an eye on as the draft approaches. I know Steelers ownership probably wants to make that big splash with the draft being in Pittsburgh. The football operations part of it has to be what's best for the football team."
With the quarterback class being weak in 2026, the Steelers should look to bring in some additional picks in 2027. Fittipaldo mentioned this and General Manager Omar Khan said it was a possibility. That would not be the splashy move, but it would probably be the right move and what is best for the team.
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Steelers Team President and Owner Art Rooney II with Head Coach Mike McCarthy at his introductory press conference in 2026.
Fittipaldo is essentially hypothesizing that ownership could put pressure on Khan to make a splash at the draft since it will be in Pittsburgh and there will be a ton of fans in attendance. A splash could be a big trade, or it could be selecting Simpson with the 21st overall pick. It could also mean moving up in the first round of the draft and drafting a top wide receiver, which is something the fan base would probably encourage. Drafting Simpson or doing anything too aggressive would likely be a mistake, as the organization needs to set itself up for the future.
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Steelers' Omar Khan walks the halls before being introduced as the new General Manager in Pittsburgh in 2022.
Steelers' Art Rooney II Needs To Let Omar Khan Do His Thing
Khan has done a great job of drafting over the last three years, and he has done a great job of maneuvering drafts by moving up and back. Art Rooney II needs to let Khan do his job while not putting any pressure on the executive to make some move just to make the fans happy because the draft is in Pittsburgh. A mistake like that could set the franchise even further back.
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