Most of the pre-draft discourse on the Pittsburgh Steelers is centered on the possibility of a wide receiver, safety, or offensive lineman in the first round. But with the free agency moves Omar Khan made, they have flexibility to take the best player available. That could set up a surprise addition at less-talked-about positions. One draft insider floated an interesting new option for the Steelers.

“Linebacker CJ Allen looked good in position drills. He was smooth and covered a lot of area on the field. Allen is unlikely to fall out of the first round, and his range is expected to be anywhere between picks 15 and 32,” Tony Pauline wrote via Essentially Sports. “The Pittsburgh Steelers could be the surprise for Allen with the 21st pick.”

Dozens of starting linebackers have taken the field for Pittsburgh over the last decade, but none of them have felt like a true long-term solution. Payton Wilson’s role had to be reduced in 2025 after early-season struggles, and Patrick Queen has never played up to the three-year, $41 million contract he signed in March 2024. Not terrible, but still a lot to be desired at the position.

Could Allen be their next major swing to fix the position long term? Weighing in at 6006, 230 pounds at the combine, he has a compact frame ready to hold up to the run-game rigors of the AFC North. He didn’t do formal testing at either the combine or his Pro Day, but he reportedly looked good in drills.

Makes it look easy , NFL coach told me last night.. “He blew away his interview with us. He knew as much as our linebacker coach..” CJ Allen at UGA Pro-Day. @DawgsHQ pic.twitter.com/8XSH1zs9by

— Rusty Mansell (@RustyMansell_) March 18, 2026

Allen, a three-year starter at Georgia, is projected to be the third ILB off the board after the pair of Ohio State stars in the top 10. It’s a strong class at the position, and it might be wise to tap into the talent even if there isn’t an immediate need. It would make much more sense if the Steelers trade Queen, though those rumors seem to have cooled down.

In 2025, Allen had a career season with 88 combined tackles, eight TFLs, four passes defensed, 3.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in 13 games. The Butkus Award finalist also wore the green dot to field communications from the sideline and would be a candidate to take over those responsibilities in Pittsburgh long term.

No position is asked to do more on defense than inside linebackers. True impact players are hard to come by. If the Steelers think Allen can be that guy in Patrick Graham’s defense, he is absolutely worth a first-round pick. Keep in mind that ILB coach Scott McCurley is one of Mike McCarthy’s most trusted assistants. If he lobbies for Allen, it would go a long way.

And don’t worry about what that means for drafting wide receiver, safety, or guard help early. The WR class is deep, and both other positions are often undervalued on the draft board. Pittsburgh could use a few of its four picks on Day 2 to address those positions.

Check out our full scouting report on Allen.