Steelers Could Be "Covering Their Tracks" With Interesting Top-30 Visit Strategy

The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft at the North Shore. They have hosted a variety of players with their top-30 visits. These prospects include quarterbacks, offensive linemen, defensive backs, and even a tight end. The front office has plenty of draft capital, giving them the ability to conjure up a variety of moves on draft night. The Black and Gold seem to be playing the "best player available" strategy like they've been known to do historically. However, the potential draftees they've brought in tell an interesting story. 

Pittsburgh's top-30 visitors have included some first-rounders who could be available towards their pick at 21. The organization has brought in some clear mid-to-late round guys at positions of need, too. This strategy means that they're going to be well-versed in players who could be remaining at their picks in later parts of the draft. With some of their visits, there have been players who could be considered fringe first-rounders. Pittsburgh has made it unclear whether or not they have first-round grades on some of these players, and there could be a purpose as to why they chose these players to visit. 

On an episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, Steelers beat writer Ray Fittipaldo spoke on the Steelers' visit strategy and how that could translate to their draft plans. 

"It's interesting if you look at it, they have now, if you consider a [Spencer] Fano a guard, they have now brought in a first-round guard and a second-round guard in Georgia Tech's Keylan Rutledge. If you look at receiver, they brought in a first-rounder in Makai Lemon and then a bunch of like second- or third-rounders, including Germie Bernard," Fittipaldo said. "So, looks like they're kind of covering their tracks here. If they don't get one guy in the first round, maybe another guy in the second round is their target." 

The Steelers have been speculated to select an offensive lineman or a wide receiver with one of their first two picks by many. It seems that those two positions will be atop General Manager Omar Khan and the front office's list in the draft. This strategy makes it seem as though they're comfortable taking one of those positions in either the first or second round, as they have stacked visits from each of those positions with players that fit either one of those grades. 

This will be the first draft under Head Coach Mike McCarthy's tenure in Pittsburgh, and the franchise wants to get this right. They'll look to ensure their offense is up to snuff, especially compared to 2025. Adding a receiver of the future and continuing to build upon the young offensive line are priorities. The Steelers' top-30 visit choices tell that tale, and the team is ready for any scenario, as their first-round graded player at one position might not be there, but they know someone they like that could be there in round two. 

This could be a really smart way of going about their visits, especially if the draft shakes out in the Steelers' favor. The organization is aware of the areas that need improvement on the team, and they'll do all they can to add quality youth to a team that wants to maintain its winning ways. 

The Steelers Have Plenty Of Ways To Ensure They Get Who They Want

Pittsburgh has a dozen picks in 2026. It can trade up or down, add 2027 draft capital, or any combination. If the front office wants to maximize the quality of players that come out of their draft class, they could use one or more of their three third-round picks as additional trade capital. This could be in an effort to get as many picks in the top 75 as they can. Pittsburgh will hope to load up with young talent for the future. 

The possibilities seem to be endless for the Steelers as they handle the 2026 draft, and it will be intriguing to see how they'll approach it. 

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