Omar Khan and the Pittsburgh Steelers did a solid job of filling almost all immediate needs in free agency. That gives the team plenty of flexibility in the draft, with no fewer than four or five logical positions in play for their top selection — a great spot for the team, but tougher for mock draft accuracy.
My first mock draft featured a trade up for Caleb Downs. I still don’t hate that idea, but today the focus shifts to the possibility of standing pat and making all 12 selections. This may be the only time I do a full 12-pick mock because I still think there’s a strong chance of a trade or two throughout the event to lower that number to nine or ten picks when it’s all said and done.
Here’s my post-free agency 2026 Steelers mock draft version 2.0.
Round 1 – Pick 21: KC CONCEPCION/WR/TEXAS A&M
You won’t find many individuals in the NFL media landscape more bullish on Concepcion than me. With Michael Pittman Jr. joining DK Metcalf in the Steelers’ WR room, Concepcion’s skill set would round out the room perfectly. He is a natural separator, and extremely explosive out of his breaks and with the ball in his hands. The drops are a problem, but I wouldn’t say he has bad hands. Once the game slows down for him, the concentration drops can improve. The rest of his game is good enough to overlook the warts.
His recent knee scope is less of a concern to me. He should be ready for rookie minicamp no problem, and that particular procedure is much more common than you probably realize.
Others Considered: S Dillon Thieneman, OT Kadyn Proctor, OG Vega Ioane
Previous Selection: S Caleb Downs (trade up)
Round 2 – Pick 53: EMMANUEL PREGNON/OG/OREGON
Have you seen this guy’s physique? He’s as strong as an ox, and the Steelers could use one of those to round out the young offensive line.
Spencer Anderson is best suited to continue in his backup and jumbo package role. They need a long-term plan at left guard. Pregnon played there in college and wouldn’t need time to translate things from right to left.
Others Considered: ILB Jacob Rodriguez, DL Christen Miller, DB Keionte Scott
Previous Selection: WR Omar Cooper Jr.
Emmanuel Pregnon Scouting Report
Round 3 – Pick 76: JOSIAH TROTTER/ILB/MISSOURI
If the Steelers want an inside linebacker, they better get one in their top three picks. Outside of maybe Kyle Louis, it’s hard to find good value past this point. Trotter is a downhill thumper, and a darn good one. Pittsburgh could use a reliable tackler and run stuffer at the position, and they could get around his shortcomings with some of the other athletes in the room.
Others Considered: DL Gracen Halton, CB Treydan Stukes, WR Skyler Bell
Previous Selection: No Pick (traded away)
Josiah Trotter Scouting Report
Round 3 – Pick 85: GENESIS SMITH/S/ARIZONA
Smith was excellent at Arizona in one of college football’s top secondaries. As a pure free safety, he could eventually replace Jalen Ramsey and serve as solid depth in the meantime. If Pittsburgh uses its dime defense more this year, Smith could also make an impact in year one.
Others Considered: CB Keylan Rutledge, QB Garrett Nussmeier, S Jalon Kilgore
Previous Selection: WR Ted Hurst
Round 3 – Pick 99: SAM ROUSH/TE/STANFORD
Roush was productive in his final season at Stanford and the Steelers need depth with Jonnu Smith and Connor Heyward off the roster. He is a bit of a throwback with a well-rounded game. Pittsburgh showed interest in him at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine with an informal meeting.
Others Considered: QB Drew Allar, CB Daylen Everette, OL Billy Scrauth
Previous Selection: No Pick (traded away)
Round 4 – Pick 121: TACARIO DAVIS/CB/WASHINGTON
Davis came in for a pre-draft visit, and in this scenario, he’d be reuniting with Genesis Smith in the secondary from his time at Arizona. He fits the mold that the Steelers have been interested in lately — long, and super athletic. With Jamel Dean in the picture, the Steelers don’t need a corner early, but could use some additional depth to develop in the meantime.
Others Considered: OT Markel Bell, DL DeMonte Capehart, RB Kaytron Allen
Previous Selection: RB Nick Singleton
Round 4 – Pick 135: TIM KEENAN III/NT/ALABAMA
The defensive line has solid depth throughout, but still needs a true two-gap plugger in the middle. Keenan is as stout as they come at 6010, 327 pounds, and he takes pride in occupying multiple blockers to keep his playmakers clean.
Others Considered: WR Josh Cameron, OL Kage Casey, TE Jack Endries
Previous Selection: OG Keylan Rutledge
Tim Keenan III Scouting Report
Round 5 – Pick 161: KENDRICK LAW/WR-KR/KENTUCKY
Even with Michael Pittman Jr., I still like the idea of double dipping at receiver. Kendrick Law was a pre-draft visitor and also fills another role as a return specialist. He needs a lot of work with his routes, but the room would be well-stocked ahead of him to focus on developing and return duties in the meantime.
Others Considered: CB Ephesians Prysock, WR Jeff Caldwell, TE Will Kacmarek
Previous Selection: S Caleb Downs
Round 6 – Pick 216: TYREAK SAPP/OLB/FLORIDA
This late in the draft, I look for players with a “super power” or a trait that could potentially develop into being an important role player or even starter one day. Sapp has that with his play strength. How will he make the roster with such a loaded OLB room? Not sure, but the consensus seems to be much lower on him than I am. I’ll gladly take one of my favorite sleepers in the class here.
Others Considered: ILB Red Murdock, QB Cole Payton, RB Seth McGowan
Previous Selection: CB Domani Jackson
Round 7 – Pick 224: DEVEN EASTERN/DL/MINNESOTA
It won’t be easy to fit 12 picks on the roster, which is a big reason why I don’t think Pittsburgh will end up making all 12. But Eastern is a prospect worth taking a shot on at 6050, 315 pounds and 34-inch arms.
Others Considered: WR Barion Brown, WR Tyren Montgomery, RB Le’Veon Moss
Previous Selection: DL James Thompson Jr.
Round 7 – Pick 230: JADYN OTT/RB/OKLAHAMA
His final year at Oklahoma was a disaster, but he looked much better than expected at the Senior Bowl. There’s no massive need at RB with Rico Dowdle now in the picture, but running back injury bugs can strike in a hurry. It’s good to have some talent in the pipeline.
Others Considered: OL Fernando Carmona, RB J’Mari Taylor, TE Josh Cuevas
Previous Selection: ILB Bryce Boettcher
Round 7 – Pick 237: KHALIL DINKINS/TE/PENN STATE
Dinkins came in for a pre-draft visit and could make sense as the next Connor Heyward gadget player with fullback capabilities. If Pittsburgh likes him and doesn’t want to chance it in undrafted free agency, the final pick makes sense.
Others Considered: OLB Jack Pyburn, P Brett Thorson, QB Joe Fagnano
Previous Selection: P Jack Stonehouse
Khalil Dinkins Scouting Report