Steelers Appear Eager To Make Brutal Mistake In Round 1 Of 2026 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers are drawing significant attention as the 2026 NFL Draft rapidly approaches. For the first time in league history, the draft will be hosted in Pittsburgh, adding another layer of excitement to an already pivotal offseason. The buzz around the organization is reaching a true boiling point as fans and analysts alike anticipate what could be a franchise-shaping weekend. In his first year as head coach, Mike McCarthy is not approaching this as a long-term rebuild. The Super Bowl-winning coach arrives in Pittsburgh with urgency, aiming to turn the Steelers into immediate contenders. 

His vision is clear as he hopes to maximize the current roster by injecting high-impact talent through the draft, and compete at the highest level right away rather than taking a slow, developmental approach. To accomplish that, General Manager Omar Khan and McCarthy must capitalize on their 12 draft picks. Whether they package selections to move up the board or utilize all of them to build depth, their decisions will dominate headlines and fuel debate across the league. Every move carries weight, especially given the spotlight of hosting the draft. One position consistently linked to Pittsburgh at pick No. 21 is guard following the loss of veteran Isaac Seumalo in free agency. However, recent insight has complicated that expectation. 

NFL draft analyst Dane Brugler revealed on The Athletic Football Podcast that the Steelers could be eyeing other offensive line prospects instead. Brugler excluded top names like Olaivavega Ioane out of Penn State and Emmanuel Pregnon out of Oregon. That possibility would spark strong reactions among the fan base. 

"Teams feel like there's gonna be another guard drafted in Round 1," Brugler said while speaking on Thursday via The Athletic YouTube Channel. "And the three names that keep coming up are [Keylan] Rutledge, [Chase] Bisontis, and Gennings Dunker. There's a feeling around the league that one of those guys is gonna sneak into Round 1."

Prospects such as Chase Bisontis, Gennings Dunker, and Keylan Rutledge have been floated as alternatives, but many Steelers fans would view selecting them over more established options as a major gamble in the first round. 

With so much uncertainty, one thing remains very certain. Pittsburgh’s draft strategy will be one of the most closely watched storylines of the entire event. Not just because the city is hosting the draft, but because of what this new chapter led by McCarthy and Khan will look like.

"I wouldn't be surprised at all if it's Rutledge, I think Bisontis has a really good chance as well, I think as early as probably the Chargers or the Steelers," Brugler said. "I think once we get into the 20s, we're on watch for where that second guard could come off the board." 

Of course, all of this first depends on whether guard is the position the Steelers target when they are on the clock with their first selection at No. 21. 

Steelers Fans Would Love The Penn State Guard

If Ioane is still on the board and the Steelers pass on him in favor of Rutledge, Bisontis, or another option, it would likely be viewed as a major mistake, at least initially. However, a prospect’s career is never defined by immediate fan reaction on draft night. It is about what he does after being selected. 

Steelers fans may not like the decision at first, but it could still work out in the long run. Either way, if a guard is the pick, fans will be hoping it is Ioane. Any other choice at the position would spark serious debate. 

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