Now that the initial wave of free agency is over, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster is taking shape, and it’s becoming clearer what the team needs in the buildup to the 2026 NFL Draft.

Pittsburgh answered a lot of questions in free agency and on the trade market so far under GM Omar Khan, but there is one major need that still needs addressed. It just so happens to be in a unit in which Pittsburgh has invested heavily in recent years.

That would be the offensive line, specifically left guard at the moment. After losing Isaac Seumalo in free agency, Pittsburgh has a large hole at the position. Spencer Anderson is viewed as a starting-caliber player by Khan, but the Steelers need an upgrade there.

Fortunately, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has just that upgrade.

In his latest mock draft, Kiper paired the Steelers with the best interior offensive lineman in the draft class, that being Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane at No. 21 overall.

“The Steelers’ quarterback situation is still a big question. Will Aaron Rodgers return? Will another veteran step in — such as Kirk Cousins? Or will Pittsburgh target a signal-caller in the draft? No matter what the Steelers plan to do, the top two quarterbacks are off the board here, and there isn’t a third one worthy of a Day 1 selection,” Kiper writes. “Instead, Pittsburgh can try to replace Isaac Seumalo, who signed with the Cardinals. Ioane is the top pure guard in the class, with the power to physically move pass rushers out of the way and the light feet to erase second-level defenders.

“He didn’t give up any sacks last season.”

With offensive tackles in the draft commanding a lot of attention, specifically those with first-round talent, the interior of the offensive line gets overlooked. That’s understandable, considering guard isn’t as valuable a commodity as tackle in today’s NFL.

Ioane can change that thought process moving forward. He’s not only the best interior offensive lineman in the draft, he’s one of the 10 best players in it, too. Landing him at No. 21 overall would be a major steal and allow the Steelers to keep building up their offensive line regardless of who is under center.

Sure, there is still the question about Aaron Rodgers and his future, and how the Steelers will pivot if Rodgers decides to retire. But landing a player like Ioane to step in at left guard and be a potential franchise piece for the next decade is the right call, should he still be on the board.

In Kiper’s scenario, Alabama’s Ty Simpson is off the board at No. 16 overall to the New York Jets, taking away a first-round QB option, even though it sounds like the Steelers aren’t in on Simpson. Wide receiver or cornerback could have been the move, too, with USC’s Makai Lemon and Clemson’s Aveion Terrell still on the board at 21.

But Ioane would be a great pick for the Steelers. In our scouting report, Tom Mead compared Ioane to Cooper Beebe, which is a fitting one. Adding that type of talent up front to a young group could set the foundation for Pittsburgh’s offensive line under new position coaches James Campen and Jahri Evans moving forward.