"Have To Get One": Steelers Have Plans To Target Important Position Of Need Early In 2026 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been speculated to potentially be taking a variety of different positions with their first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Steelers own 12 draft picks and have addressed several positions of need in free agency thus far. This allows the organization to pick the "best player available," and that has been a strategy for Pittsburgh for decades. The 2026 offseason is no different, and General Manager Omar Khan and company are preparing to draft the most impactful player for the team. 

The Steelers have made moves to revamp their wide receiver positional group, like adding veteran Michael Pittman Jr. in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts. The team was speculated to go with a receiver in round one, and that is still very likely, but Pittman's presence does change things a bit. 

If Pittsburgh does decide to wait on receiver, which recent mock drafts have them doing, and choose a position like safety. However, in some of the bigger mocks like Mel Kiper Jr's, the Steelers are linked to an offensive line selection. 

The Black and Gold have yet to add a starting-caliber guard to its roster as of now, and the draft is seemingly looking to go that way. Kiper does have them going with an offensive lineman in round one, and it makes sense as the Steelers have done little to fill the hole at the position. However, Steelers beat writer Ray Fittipaldo has the Steelers waiting until the later rounds to pick a guard. Fittipaldo spoke on 93.7 The Fan to discuss the Steelers' waiting in the draft for a guard.

"If they don't take a guard in the first round, they have to get one in the top 100. You can see them going mid-rounds for a guard, and they've had success going that route. Sometimes, it doesn't hurt to wait. I could see them getting a guard in the second or third round," Fittipaldo said. 

The Steelers haven't made any significant moves for a guard, and their starter from last year, Isaac Seumalo, left for the Arizona Cardinals. Seumalo was a high-impact player, and some consider it a mistake to let him leave. 

In turn, it seems the Steelers want to get younger on the line and have solidified a young core throughout the last few years via the draft. The waiting game for developmental guard has worked in the past, like when the Steelers drafted, now starter, Mason McCormick in the fourth round in 2024. 

The Steelers have proven to be good at finding mid-round talent on the offensive line, like they did with McCormick, so the notion they would wait isn't far-fetched. Pittsburgh still has lineman Spencer Anderson for one more year, and he could be a spot starter at left guard as a draft pick develops. 

The lack of bringing in a veteran proves the team has some trust in the process. The Steelers may address other positions of need, like safety and wide receiver, before the offensive line, based on their sheer confidence in being able to develop quality players at the position. 

Steelers Waiting Could Be Smart

The Steelers still have many needs that could be a focal point in the draft, that aren't linemen. The team is still looking for youth in their secondary and depth at wide receiver, and these are viable options at pick 21. The Steelers have 12 picks, and while it's not certain they'll use all of them, the flexibility to double-dip at positions is intriguing. 

The Steelers' multiple third-round picks make it possible to take a developmental lineman or two. The line of last year certainly got better and adding more youth will only increase its longevity as a unit. 

While anything is possible, Pittsburgh will more than likely go for a lineman. But, using a first-round pick might be too high a price for a team that prides itself on developing players in the trenches. 

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