The Pittsburgh Steelers will have the luxury of possessing 12 total picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Despite this, it would be rather shocking if the front office decides to use all of them. General Manager Omar Khan is expected to get aggressive if need be, with the top-half of the prospect pool projecting to be where the value will be present.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan holds up a phone to his ear as he stands in the team's war room during the 2025 NFL Draft.
With the big event so close, let's dive into my first and only mock draft of the 2026 offseason. Recent reports have speculated that the team is aiming to get its 12 total selections down to about seven or eight, so the goal was to be aggressive when needed, but also target positions of need that the organization has to improve moving forward.
Getting the first complaint out of the way — not taking a cornerback was tough to do, but the Steelers have made it clear that it might not be a top-of-the-line need due to Jamel Dean's signing and Asante Samuel Jr's return. Using the SteelerNation simulator, here's out it all came together.
1.) Round 1 - Pick 21 - Jordyn Tyson - WR - Arizona State
It would be a pretty great story if Jordyn Tyson out of Arizona State ended up in the Steel City. He was coached by Steelers legend Hines Ward in college, and just might be the most talented pass-catcher in this class. Unfortunately, he has a history of injury issues, which could turn teams away. Pittsburgh, however, has been reluctant to take wide receivers in the first round for well over a decade. That changes with Tyson, and he gets inserted into the lineup very quickly.
2.) *TRADE* - Round 1 - Pick 25 - Emmanuel McNeil-Warren - S - Toledo
How about some fireworks on night one in Pittsburgh? The Chicago Bears took the call and, due to the amount of draft capital that Khan possesses, a deal was made to send Pittsburgh's second and two of the third-round picks in order for the Steelers to hop back into Round 1. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren has quickly been rising on draft boards, and rightfully so. He is a phenomenal tackler and very physical. Some have him going in the top 15, so this was too good to pass up.
3.) Round 3 - Pick 76 - Keylan Rutledge - G - Georgia Tech
While Olaivavega Ioane has received a bunch of attention from Steelers fans, another top-30 visit in Keylan Rutledge has flown under the radar. Pittsburgh found its future starting right tackle in Mason McCormick in the fourth round back in 2024, so the addition of Rutledge here allows the team to potentially insert him as the starter on the left side almost right away.
4.) *Trade* - Round 3 - Pick 97 - Drew Allar - QB - Penn State
The Steelers had to give up two third-rounders in the deal for McNeil-Warren, so Khan gets aggressive once again. It took a lot to get back into the third round, with the price being picks 121 and 135 (fourth round) as well as 216 (sixth round) and a seventh in 2027 for the Minnesota Vikings. The franchise isn't planning on using all 12, so this big move up on Day 2 locked in another passer for the roster.
One of Pittsburgh's final top-30 visits was Drew Allar, and the Penn State quarterback might have the highest ceiling of any signal-caller in the draft not named Fernando Mendoza. Regardless of what Aaron Rodgers decides to do, Allar is the kind of player that Mike McCarthy could really turn into someone special.
Matthew O'Haren / USA TODAY Sports
Former Penn State quarterback Drew Allar prepares to throw a football as he warms up prior to the team competing in a collegiate football event.
5.) Round 5 - Pick 161 - Nate Boerkircher - TE - Texas A&M
There were some murmurs that the Steelers might consider taking Kenyon Sadiq in the first round if he happened to be available, but it didn't work out that way here. Nate Boerkircher did not come to the Steel City for a top-30 visit, but projects to be a respectable number three tight end at the NFL level. With Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington around, this is a simple depth decision that is expected to happen at some point.
Steelers Stack Up On Depth In Round 7
6.) Round 7 - Pick 224 - Harold Perkins Jr. - LB - LSU
Pittsburgh did bring Harold Perkins Jr. in for a top-30 visit, which has traditionally suggested some serious interest. If other needs are more pressing early on, taking an inside linebacker such as Perkins on Day 3 will certainly be in play. He provides versatility as a pass rusher and also has the motor to initially make the roster as a special teams contributor.
7.) Round 7 - Pick 230 - Parker Brailsford - IOL - Alabama
A smaller center, Parker Brailsford projects to be an interior offensive lineman at the professional level. There are no guarantees that he would contribute right away, or at all, but it's never a bad thing to take a guy later on that played for a program such as Alabama. It made sense for Khan to get a little more depth due to the uncertainty all over the line.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan in the team's war room during the 2023 NFL Draft.
8.) Round 7 - Pick 237 - Noah Thomas - WR - Georgia
Taking Tyson left the Steelers with five primary wide receivers. It seems like it would be worth it to take one more chance at the position in the seventh round. Noah Thomas played in 48 collegiate games for Texas A&M and the University of Georgia, so his experience came off as attractive.
What are your thoughts on the first and only mock draft? Let me know on X!
#SteelerNation