Bringing you my latest Pittsburgh Steelers mock draft. With just over one week until the big event, we have nearly all the information possible in assessing the players the Steelers are most likely to target in 2026. Below is my best guess of those prospects. Reminder, this is what I think the team will do, not necessarily what I would prefer.
Keep in mind I also don’t predict out trades in my mocks even as I recognize Pittsburgh is unlikely to make all 12 selections.
My final Steelers mock draft will drop one week from today.
Previous Steelers Mock Drafts
Pre-Free Agency
Post-Free Agency
Round One (21st Overall) – Omar Cooper Jr./WR Indiana: 6001, 199 pounds
Analysis: After considering but ultimately opting against him as Pittsburgh’s pick in my last mock draft, Cooper is officially in pole position. He’s yet to come in for a pre-draft visit, but with multiple final ones scheduled, I have to think the Steelers are on his list. It would be shocking if not.
Cooper checks so many boxes. Good-enough size. Solid testing (his 4.42 40 was an awesome time). Production. Toughness and character. Inside/outside versatility. Good coaching with links back to the team, learning under new Pittsburgh WRs coach Adam Henry as a freshman at Indiana in 2022. On paper, there’s little reasons for Cooper not to be the pick.
Out of the gate, he could slide in as the team’s No. 3 and full-time slot receiver. In a year or two, he could become the clear No. 2 opposite DK Metcalf. Cooper is a seamless fit for a Pittsburgh passing game that needs more juice and hasn’t been three-deep at receiver in years.
WR Omar Cooper Jr. Scouting Report
Others Considered: OG Vega Ioane, CB Chris Johnson, S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, WR Denzel Boston
Round Two (53rd Overall) – Keylan Rutledge/OG Georgia Tech: 6035, 316 pounds
Analysis: One of Pittsburgh’s biggest short-term needs is at guard. Isaac Seumalo left, and the Steelers don’t have a clear-cut starter with Spencer Anderson and Brock Hoffman as current competitors. Perhaps Rutledge isn’t a slam-dunk replacement, but he’d become the favorite for the job. A nasty run blocker, he carries the disposition the Steelers like and, frankly, one they need. Pittsburgh is missing true maulers. Zach Frazier comes close, but pairing him next to Rutledge can take the run game to the next level.
Scheme fit is a consideration. Rutledge fits better in a gap than a zone scheme. It’s not clear what Pittsburgh plans to run; it likely leans toward zone, but the Steelers still think highly enough of Rutledge to bring him in for a pre-draft visit. As of this writing, he’s been the only guard to come in. He’s tough with basketball feet. He is also experienced, proving he could play at a higher collegiate level after transferring from Middle Tennessee State.
Keylan Rutledge Scouting Report
Others Considered: WR Germie Bernard, ILB Jacob Rodriguez, OL Gennings Dunker
Round Three (76th Overall) – Malik Muhammad/CB Texas: 6000, 182 pounds
Analysis: After signing CB Jamel Dean in free agency, it didn’t appear that cornerback would be high on the Steelers’ list. Their pre-draft movements say otherwise. To date, the Steelers have brought in four cornerbacks, second most of any position, only behind wide receiver. Pittsburgh also sent a heavy presence to Tennessee’s Pro Day to work out the Volunteers’ first-round corners Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood. That’s plenty of smoke.
Why so much interest? Maybe Pittsburgh wants extreme depth. To have all options in an AFC North where the Steelers face Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins twice a year. With Joey Porter Jr.’s extension not done and, on paper, him entering a contract year, and Dean turning 30 in October, the Steelers are perhaps protecting themselves with depth.
Muhammad is a good “baseline” prospect. He checks all the surface-level boxes. Size, production, athleticism, character, and age (he’s 21 until September). Perhaps he’ll play some slot early to find a Year 1 role where he can make an impact.
CB Malik Muhammad Scouting Report
Others Considered: WR Antonio Williams, S Jakobe Thomas, CB Davison Igbinosun
Round Three (85th Overall) – Genesis Smith/FS Arizona: 6021, 202 pounds
Analysis: Back-to-back secondary selections. Safety still seems like a need, but the Steelers have so far brought in only two for pre-draft visits. Maybe the team feels more comfortable with its current options after adding Jaquan Brisker and retaining Jalen Ramsey, while DeShon Elliott will be healthy again.
A true free safety is ideal, and Smith is near the top of his class in 2025 free safety reps. His game is inconsistent, and he doesn’t always play to his excellent testing (4.52 40, 10’10” broad, 42 vert). But he can take a year to largely sit and learn before potentially stepping into a starting free safety role come 2027.
Others Considered: WR Ted Hurst, DB Jalen Kilgore, OT Dametrious Crownover
Round Three (99th Overall) –Markel Bell/OT Miami (FL): 6092, 346 pounds
Analysis: Pittsburgh’s only brought in two offensive linemen, but they share a clear trait: great size. Bell is the draft’s biggest player at taller than 6-9 and nearly 350 pounds with 36 3/8-inch arms. The Hurricanes’ left tackle, Bell will provide depth and insurance as Broderick Jones works his way back from his 2025 neck injury and surgery.
Under Omar Khan and Andy Weidl, the Steelers have consistently addressed the offensive line. That trend continues with all their 2026 capital.
Others Considered: QB Carson Beck, DL Darrell Jackson, WR Skyler Bell
Round Four (121st Overall) – Marlin Klein/TE Michigan: 6060, 248 pounds
Analysis: Tight end depth is thin behind Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington. Klein has great size and experience as an in-line blocker. His receiving production is limited, but his college chances were scarce, and he showed straight-line speed with a 4.61 40-yard dash. The Steelers love drafting Big Ten tight ends: Connor Heyward, Pat Freiermuth, Zach Gentry, and Jesse James since 2015. The only exception is Darnell Washington.
Others Considered: QB Cole Payton, ILB Harold Perkins Jr., CB Tacario Davis
Round Four (135th Overall) – Chris McClellan/DL Missouri: 6036, 313 pounds
Analysis: Sticking with McClellan from my last mock draft for the same reasons. A well-proportioned defensive lineman who offers an acceptable combination of run defense and pass rush. In 2025, he picked up six sacks. He’ll round out the defensive line room with the potential of seeing a much more elevated role in 2027.
Chris McClellan Scouting Report
Others Considered: QB Taylen Green, S Zakee Wheatley, RET Kaden Wetjen
Round Five (161st Overall) – Caleb Douglas/WR Texas Tech: 6034, 206 pounds
Analysis: Attempting not to make this mock draft filled entirely with pre-draft visitors, the Steelers double-dip at wide receiver. Pittsburgh didn’t bring Douglas in for a visit but held a formal meeting with him at the NFL Combine. An underrated prospect, Douglas shows quickness out of his breaks and is a vertical threat who can make difficult catches in traffic. His problem is inconsistent hands and a lack of special teams value, but he’ll make the back end of the receiver depth chart better as an outside receiver.
If he has to begin his career on the practice squad, it’s not the end of the world.
Others Considered: S Jalen Husky, OT Travis Burke, WR Kendrick Law
Round Six (216th Overall) – Jaden Dugger/ILB Louisiana: 6046, 242 pounds
Analysis: Pittsburgh brought Dugger in for a local visit. A former wide receiver at Penn Hills High School, Dugger began his career as a safety at Georgetown before bulking up to play inside linebacker at Louisiana. A one-year starter, he racked up tackles with a strong 2025 season. Dugger is raw and learning the position, but his physical profile is difficult to rival: nearly 6-5, 240 pounds with 35-inch arms and a 4.6 40-yard dash.
Pittsburgh could draft the position earlier. But if the team waits, Dugger is a name to circle.
Others Considered: ILB Jack Kelly, FB Max Bredeson, EDGE Caden Curry
Round Seven (224th Overall) – Desmond Reid/RB Pitt: 5062, 176 pounds
Analysis: Reid is listed as a running back in what would be a crowded room. But think of Reid as much of a returner as he would be an offensive player. A dangerous punt returner with two career scores, Reid is a natural pass catcher with better toughness and pass protection than his frame would suggest.
In many ways, Reid’s game is similar to Kenneth Gainwell’s. Playing in Pittsburgh the last two years after transferring from Western Carolina, the Steelers know his background well. He’ll compete for a special teams/returner spot on the 53-man roster.
Others Considered: P Ryan Eckley, WR/RET Michael Wortham, TE Khalil Dinkins
Round Seven (230th Overall) – Joey Aguilar/QB Tennessee: 6032, 229 pounds
Analysis: Waiting until the seventh round for a quarterback. Could Pittsburgh address it sooner? Yes, of course. But it’s a weak class, and the Steelers could upgrade the roster elsewhere rather than draft a mid-round quarterback who probably won’t see a path to start anytime soon – if ever.
So Pittsburgh pulls a 2022. At the end, at least. Draft a seventh-round quarterback so the Steelers don’t have to compete for one in the undrafted free agency pool. Pittsburgh doesn’t offer the partial base salary guarantees most teams do, meaning it’s hard for the Steelers to sign the top UDFA names. With the luxury of three seventh-round picks, they can spend one on a quarterback.
Assuming Aaron Rodgers returns, Aguilar will be the fourth-stringer throughout the summer. He’s got the size Pittsburgh likes. Interceptions have been his issue. If he’s cut, the Steelers won’t feel like they gave up on much.
Others Considered: QB Joe Fagnano, RB Rashul Faison, DL Deven Eastern, S Xavier Nwankpa
Round Seven (237th Overall) – Aidan Hubbard/EDGE Northwestern: 6044, 259 pounds
Analysis: Closing things out with a pass rusher. Pittsburgh adds depth to a position with a clear group of four, but one that’s often been injured: T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig have struggled to stay on the field. Hubbard has plus size and posted 17 TFLs and 13.5 sacks over the past two years for the Wildcats. Hubbard will likely begin the year on the practice squad.
Others Considered: WR Donaven McCulley, P Jack Stonehouse, RB Cash Jones
Final Thoughts/Recap
A recap of my 12 picks
Round One – Omar Cooper Jr./WR Indiana
Round Two – Keylan Rutledge/OG Georgia Tech
Round Three – Malik Muhammad/CB Texas
Round Three – Genesis Smith/FS Arizona
Round Three – Markel Bell/OT Miami (FL)
Round Four – Marlin Klein/TE Michigan
Round Four – Chris McClellan/DL Missouri
Round Five – Caleb Douglas/WR Texas Tech
Round Six – Jaden Dugger/ILB Louisiana
Round Seven – Desmond Reid/RB Pitt
Round Seven – Joey Aguilar/QB Tennessee
Round Seven – Aidan Hubbard/EDGE Northwestern
That’s seven offense and five defense, though Reid is largely a special teamer. A realistic mock draft that hits a lot of the team’s biggest needs, a mission easier to accomplish with quarterback taking a back burner. Inside linebacker could still be higher, but the team’s serious interest in cornerback blocks that. I wonder if safety will get booted down the board more than I initially thought.