We’re less than two weeks away from the start of the 2026 NFL Draft, and things continue to take shape for the Pittsburgh Steelers when it comes to draft needs and potential targets at those positions of need.
So far, the Steelers have hosted a total of 27 players for official pre-draft visits, three of which are local and don’t count towards the allotted 30.
The Steelers find themselves still waiting for a decision from 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers, too, which makes quarterback a need at the moment, though not necessarily in the first round in a down quarterback class. Other positions of need remain at offensive tackle, left guard, wide receiver, tight end, linebacker and in the secondary.
There’s a lot of work to do here for GM Omar Khan and assistant GM Andy Weidl. Fortunately, the Steelers have 12 picks to work with in the draft. They could be aggressive and trade up, or they could trade down and try to add some picks for the 2027 NFL Draft.
Below, I laid out my latest mock draft for the Steelers across seven rounds. No trades, so all 12 picks are used.
Enjoy.
ROUND 1 (21ST OVERALL) – JORDYN TYSON, WR, ARIZONA STATE
Analysis: Yes, the durability concerns are real, and yes, it’s concerning and somewhat frustrating that he hasn’t done any on-field testing for NFL teams — and won’t do so — until next week. But the tape doesn’t lie, and the tape is very good when it comes to Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson. He’s a big-bodied receiver, which new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy wants, and he can create after the catch.
The blocking is adequate, too, and he’s learned under a past Steelers great in Hines Ward during his time with the Sun Devils. With DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. already in the room, adding Tyson — who I believe will slide outside of the top 20 due to the injury issues — would be a home run for the Steelers. They’ve taken chances on injury concerns before and been rewarded.
Others considered: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana; Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama; Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Previous selection: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington (version 1.0), KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M (version 2.0)
ROUND 2 (53RD OVERALL) — A.J. HAULCY, S, LSU
Analysis: Even with the likes of Jalen Ramsey, DeShon Elliott and Jaquan Brisker in the safety room, not to mention hopefully soon Darnell Savage and special teams piece Sebastian Castro, the Steelers still have a need at safety. Specifically, the Steelers have a need at safety for one with ball skills. LSU’s A.J. Haulcy has that in abundance.
Last season with the Tigers, Haulcy had three interceptions in 12 games, which came one season after he had five interceptions with Houston in 2024. He’s a bit undersized at height wise at 5115 but he can handle a single-high role and brings high-level ball skills to the secondary. He can play all over the defense, too.
Others considered: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati; Keionte Scott, CB, Miami (FL); Gennings Dunker, iOL, IowaÂ
Previous selection: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State (version 1.0), Gennings Dunker, iOL, Iowa (version 2.0)
ROUND 3 (76TH OVERALL, FROM COWBOYS) — KEYLAN RUTLEDGE, iOL, GEORGIA TECH
Analysis: There are some draft analysts who see Georgia Tech iOL Keylan Rutledge as a first-round pick. Many see him as a second rounder, but considering he’s a guard and has worked some at center, I can’t see the league valuing him that high. Instead, I think he drops to the third round, and that would be terrific for the Steelers, especially with them having him in as a pre-draft visitor.
Pittsburgh can say they are confident in Spencer Anderson at left guard all they want, but they need to upgrade the position. Rutledge would fit in perfectly as that mauler in the middle alongside Zach Frazier. His presence would give the Steelers two legitimate ass-kickers at guard with Mason McCormick, too.
It all starts up front for the Steelers. Rutledge would be plug-and-play.
Others considered: Darrell Jackson Jr., DL, Florida State; Max Klare, TE, Ohio State; Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh
Previous selection: Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU (version 1.0), Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia (version 2.0)
Keylan Rutledge Scouting Report
ROUND 3 (85TH OVERALL) — OSCAR DELP, TE, GEORGIA
Analysis: Throwing a couple of new names at you here, so bear with me. There has been some buzz recently regarding the Steelers and potentially drafting a tight end early. There’s been some questions about the future of Darnell Washington, too, and his fit in McCarthy’s scheme.
The Steelers attended the Georgia Pro Day heavily, and Oscar Delp is one of the better tight ends in the class. He ran a blazing 4.48 40-yard dash, can be a power slot and can hold his own as an in-line blocking tight end. Pittsburgh needs as many weapons as possible, and with questions about the future of the position with what’s on the roster currently, it makes some sense for them to swing big on the position.
Delp might feel like a luxury pick this early, but long-term he could be a great fit in McCarthy’s scheme.
Others considered: Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia; Sam Roush, TE, Stanford; Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
Previous selection: Darrell Jackson Jr., DL, Florida State (version 1.0), Drew Allar, QB, Penn State (version 2.0)
ROUND 3 (99TH OVERALL — COMPENSATORY) — AUSTIN BARBER, OT, FLORIDA
Analysis: The second of two new names here for you, and this one comes at left tackle. Florida’s Austin Barber isn’t getting much buzz, but for a guy who has started 38 career games in college at left tackle and has seen some time at right tackle in his career, this is a nice shot at the position.
He might not be as stout in pass protection as some others in this range, but he brings a nasty demeanor to the position, which would help fit the identity the Steelers are building up front. Add in the fact that he’s working with a former NFL great in Joe Staley former NFL OL coach Paul Alexander and is just 22 years old, this is a nice piece for the Steelers to add to the room under James Campen and Jahri Evans’ direction.
Others considered: Markel Bell, OT, Miami (FL); Carson Beck, QB, Miami (FL); Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama
Previous selection: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson (version 1.0), Markel Bell, OT, Miami (FL) (version 2.0)
ROUND 4 (121ST OVERALL) — COLE PAYTON, QB, NORTH DAKOTA STATE
Analysis: Throughout much of the pre-draft process, I’ve consistently taken a quarterback with one of the three third-round picks for the Steelers. This time, though, I’m waiting until the fourth round. There’s some buzz that just two quarterbacks will be taken on the first two days of the draft, pushing names down the board. In this scenario that happens, allowing the Steelers to land North Dakota State’s Cole Payton in the fourth round.
The Steelers have done plenty of work on Payton to this point. They hosted him for a pre-draft visit, and QBs coach Tom Arth went to his Pro Day. He meets the physical requirements that McCarthy laid out a few weeks ago, fitting the description of an AFC North QB.
It all makes sense as a developmental QB behind (eventually) Aaron Rodgers and Will Howard.
Others considered: Bryce Boettcher, LB, Oregon; Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington; Brenan Thompson, WR, Mississippi State
Previous selection: Bud Clark, S, TCU (version 1.0), Kaden Wetjen, WR/PR, Iowa (version 2.0)
ROUND 4 (135TH OVERALL, COMPENSATORY) — HAROLD PERKINS JR., LB, LSU
Analysis: There are questions about Patrick Queen’s future in Pittsburgh, and rightfully so. He’s been a bit of a disappointment and enters the final year of his contract. The Steelers need to look toward the future and start adding youth to the room to build with Payton Wilson. Landing Harold Perkins Jr., another pre-draft visitor, accomplishes that.
Perkins was on a meteoric rise as a freshman at LSU, looking like the next elite defender to make it to the NFL. Then, LSU coaching moved him all over the place and disrupted his growth. He’s still shown flashes on tape as that dominant off-ball linebacker, but the inconsistencies with his role have hindered him.
That’s why this type of talent should fall to early Day 3. The Steelers would be very happy with that, landing an uber-athletic specimen to put in the room with Wilson long-term.
Others considered: Ja’Kobe Lane, WR, USC; Tauren York, LB, Texas A&M; Caleb Douglas, WR, Texas TechÂ
Previous selection: Nick Singleton, RB, Penn State (version 1.0), DeMonte Capehart, DL, Clemson (version 2.0)
Harold Perkins Jr. Scouting Report
ROUND 5 (161ST OVERALL) — EPHESIANS PRYSOCK, CB, WASHINGTON
Analysis: While I still think the cornerback position is a much greater need for the Steelers than most, I do have them waiting until the fifth round to address it here. Still, they land a nice developmental prospect at the position with great size in Washington’s Ephesians Prysock, a player they hosted for a pre-draft visit.
Prysock opened a ton of eyes at the Combine, measuring in at 6033, 196 pounds with 33 1/8-inch arms. He also clocked a 4.45 40 with a 39-inch vertical, putting up some terrific testing numbers. With that size and length along with that speed, he could be a really good piece opposite Joey Porter Jr. long-term in Pittsburgh.
Others considered: DeMonte Capehart, DL, Clemson; Albert Regis, DL, Texas A&M; Aiden Fisher, LB, Indiana
Previous selection: Ar’maj Reed-Adams, iOL, Texas A&M (version 1.0), Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington (version 2.0)
Ephesians Prysock Scouting Report
ROUND 6 (216TH OVERALL, COMPENSATORY) — KADEN WETJEN, WR/KR, IOWA
Analysis: Losing Calvin Austin III in free agency hurt, not from a receiver perspective, but from a punt return perspective. The Steelers don’t have anyone on the roster right now who can return punts and adequately replace Austin. That’s why I’m so high on Iowa’s Kaden Wetjen as a perfect fit for the Steelers.
He was the nation’s best punt returner two years in a row, and can return kicks at an elite level, too. He’s still developing as a receiver as well, but he was dominant at the East-West Shrine Bowl as a route runner, showing off his ability to separate consistently.
Special teams is very important in today’s NFL, and the Steelers need to address the return game in a big way.
Others considered: Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas; Jeff Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati; Caden Curry, EDGE, Ohio State
Previous selection: James Thompson, DL, Illinois (version 1.0), Red Murdock, LB, Buffalo (version 2.0)
ROUND 7 (224TH OVERALL, FROM PATRIOTS) — JAMES THOMPSON JR., DL, ILLINOIS
Analysis: Another pre-draft visitor here in Illinois’ James Thompson Jr., and a guy who I’ve tabbed as a great fit for the Steelers for months now due to his size and ability to play up and down the line of scrimmage. His tape at Illinois wasn’t all that great, especially rushing the passer, but he sure can defend the run and has good power to his frame.
I compared him to former Steelers defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk due to his ability to defend the run. He still has a lot of developing to do as a pass rusher, but he profiles as a guy who could give the Steelers some early-game rotational snaps.
Others considered: Tim Keenan II, DL, Alabama; Riley Nowakowski, FB/TE, Indiana; Deven Eastern, DL, Minnesota
Previous selection: Xavian Sorey Jr., LB, Arkansas (version 1.0), Max Bredeson, FB/TE, Michigan (version 2.0)
James Thompson Jr. Scouting Report
ROUND 7 (230TH OVERALL, FROM COLTS) — MAX BREDESON, FB, MICHIGAN
Analysis: Throughout his coaching career, McCarthy has always used a fullback. The Steelers don’t have one on the roster currently after losing Connor Heyward to Las Vegas in free agency. In steps another young player who can handle fullback and tight end duties with NFL bloodlines in Michigan’s Max Bredeson.
He was a valuable special teams piece during his time at Michigan. He plays with a real edge and embraces the blocking aspect of the game. There are some concerns about durability due to his style of play, but he has the look of a McCarthy-like fullback.
Others considered: Jaden Dugger, LB, Louisiana; Andre Fuller, CB, Toledo; Khalil Dinkins, TE, Penn State
Previous selection: Riley Nowakowski, FB/TE, Indiana (version 1.0), Lorenzo Styles, S, Ohio State (version 2.0)
ROUND 7 (237TH OVERALL) — BOBBY JAMISON-TRAVIS, NT, AUBURN
Analysis: Closing out this mock draft with another new name, one that probably isn’t all that familiar to Steelers fans at the moment, and understandably so. The Steelers need to add a true nose tackle, especially with McCarthy really wants the Steelers to tap into the roots of the 3-4 defense under new coordinator Patrick Graham.
While Keeanu Benton has been serviceable in Pittsburgh, he’s had his struggles as a run defender in a true NT role. Adding a big, squatty body like Auburn’s Bobby Jamison-Travis could help those matters, though he would need some development under new position coach Domata Peko.
Jamison-Travis weighed in at 6030, 328 pounds at the Combine with absurd 34 1/4-inch arms. He has great size, but limited production and still has a lot of learning to do at the position, especially after three years of JUCO and one redshirt season. With the last pick here for the Steelers, he’s worth a dart throw.
Others considered: Micah Morris, iOL, Georgia; Joshua Braun, iOL, Kentucky; Alex Tecza, FB, Navy
Previous selection: Riley Mahlman, OT, Wisconsin (version 1.0), Micah Morris, iOL, Georgia (version 2.0)
