Steelers Are Likely Locked In On One Player As The 2026 NFL Draft Is A Day Away

The Pittsburgh Steelers have not shown their hand much when it comes to what area of the roster might be addressed with the team's first selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. There isn't even a side of the ball that could be confidently guessed at this juncture as Pittsburgh needs help in a few areas. The left side of the offensive line is an obvious hole currently, while fans would like to see the organization add an exciting wide receiver with the 21st overall pick. The defense could also use some help, as young depth on the defensive line and in the secondary would not be a bad idea.

The first-round selection is going to be the first in Mike McCarthy's tenure as the team's head coach. He is an offensive-minded individual, which has led some fans to believe that the pick is going to be on that side of the football. That is fair reasoning, but as a native of Pittsburgh, the coach understands what the organization is built on, and that is defense. One player that has been mentioned with the Steelers a few times has been former Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman. Beat writer Gerry Dulac joined VSiN Live on Tuesday, and he mentioned Thieneman in this setting.

"I will tell you cornerback and safety could be in play in the first round, depending on who's there," Dulac said. "Especially at safety. They really like Dillon Thieneman from Oregon. He probably won't be there at that point, but if he's lurking around at that point, don't be surprised if they go in a direction like that."

Thieneman has been known as one of the better safeties in the draft throughout the 2026 offseason, and some people have even tried to mention that he could be better than top prospect Caleb Downs. Thieneman has been mocked as high as the top 12 in this event, but there is a real chance he could be on the board for the Steelers with the 21st overall pick.

The Steelers could even explore trading up in the first round to land a player like Thieneman, of course, it depends how the draft begins to unfold. If Downs stays on the board a little longer than expected, the more likely it is that Thieneman could fall to 21. The safety has been flying up draft boards, and he recently received glowing reviews from an anonymous defensive backs coach, according to an article on The Athletic from Bruce Feldman.

"'I would take Thieneman over Downs,' said DB coach No. 2," Feldman wrote. "'Thieneman is one of the more versatile safeties I’ve seen come out in the last few years. I feel good about him in the deep part of the field, about him in and around the box and about him in coverage, especially from a safety's standpoint. I loved the movement skills from him at the [NFL] Combine. He looked really fluid and loose. There’s a lot to like with him.'"

Downs has been viewed as the best defensive prospect over the last three years, and many have said he could have been in the NFL before this year. He is highly regarded in NFL circles, so saying there is a chance that Thieneman could go over him is extremely high praise.

Steelers Could Use Safety Help

A casual fan might not realize why the Steelers need a safety. The team currently has DeShon Elliott, Jaquan Brisker, and Jalen Ramsey back there. However, the NFL is shifting to a lot more three-safety looks, and the way safeties are used continues to evolve. That has been seen with Kyle Hamilton and with Nick Emmanwori. 

Ramsey and Elliott are both older, and Brisker only signed a one-year deal. Adding a safety high in the draft will give Pittsburgh flexibility.

What do you think about the Steelers going after Thieneman? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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