The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming up on a crucial draft in just a few weeks, and the franchise holds the 21st overall pick in the event. It remains unclear what the organization's thought process is going to be when making this selection. There are a few different routes the team can go, one of which is adding to its arsenal of offensive weapons by drafting a wide receiver, while the franchise can also opt to fortify the trenches. This can come in the form of the organization drafting an offensive guard or tackle, or continuing to add to the defensive line. There should be prospects available that fit both of those options when Pittsburgh gets on the clock.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan signs for and meets with fans during the team's 2025 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
One area that the Steelers clearly need to address is the left side of the offensive line. That can happen in the first round, but the team does have five picks in the top 100 selections of the event, so General Manager Omar Khan can choose to wait. If the front office decides it wants to go after an offensive lineman in the first round, a name that can't be ignored is Olaivavega Ioane out of Penn State. He is the top guard prospect in the event, and he would be a good replacement for Isaac Seumalo. There is a chance Ioane could be off the board by the time Pittsburgh picks, and it is also important to note that the Los Angeles Chargers are behind the Steelers on the draft board and also have a pressing need at guard.
This is a dangerous situation for the Steelers. The Chargers can jump over Pittsburgh for Ioane by trading up to the 19th or 20th overall pick and steal Ioane. ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller spoke about Los Angeles' need at guard in a recent article.
"Sources inside and outside the Chargers' scouting staff indicate guard is the team's top need," Miller wrote.
The Chargers have been heavily criticized for not protecting quarterback Justin Herbert in recent years, and the franchise has consistently had one of the worst offensive lines when it comes to pass protection. There has been some bad luck with injuries, but it is also clear that it is an area that needs to be addressed quickly.
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Steelers' Cam Heyward runs after Justin Herbert during a road loss to the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 season.
Both the Chargers and the Steelers need a player like Ioane, and there is a chance he will still be on the board when the two are coming up in the draft order. The Carolina Panthers hold the 19th overall pick, while the Dallas Cowboys sit at 20. Those are two teams Los Angeles could be calling to try and leapfrog the Steelers to grab Ioane. This is something that General Manager Omar Khan will have to be cognizant of, as the Steelers have enough draft capital to move up as well.
Ioane is far and away the best guard in the draft, with Emmanuel Pregnon being the next best option. Pregnon is seen as an early second-round pick by most, but he could sneak into the bottom of the first round.
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Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz speaks to the media at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.
Steelers May Luck Out As Chargers Lack Draft Capital
The Chargers moving ahead of the Steelers is a possibility, but it may be something that Los Angeles is hesitant to do. The Chargers have the second-fewest selections in the event with just five, and the franchise probably wouldn't want to part ways with anything too valuable. They have a pick in each of the first four rounds and in the sixth round, and moving up two or three spots could cost the franchise its third-round pick. Los Angeles could also use 2027 draft capital as that class is highly regarded and picks for that event are highly coveted by teams around the league.
What do you think about the Steelers potentially being jumped for Ioane? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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