2026 NFL Draft•Steelers Analysis
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers during a game against the New England Patriots on Sept. 22, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
With the first month and change in the books, feels like the appropriate time to hit the reset button and answer some questions from our readers. The Pittsburgh Steelers at sitting pretty at 3-1, all alone at the top of the AFC North and have a chance to create even more separation as they return from the bye week. As always, I greatly appreciate everyone who took the time to send in so many thoughtful questions for this article. It’s really a blast putting these together each month.
Without further ado, here we go!
Q: Do you think that the Steelers are one of the four best teams in the AFC?
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt and Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen after a preseason game on Aug. 17, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
A: I will start off by saying that the conference as a whole is by far in the worst state that it’s been since I’ve been covering the team in any capacity. We know that the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills will be in the mix come January, but everything else feels like a jumbled mess. Coming into the season, I had the Steelers as the seventh seed in the AFC, but at this point, it feels like that would be a pretty disappointing outcome with how wide open things are.
The Baltimore Ravens, who entered 2025 as Super Bowl favorites, have been the most disappointing team in the league to date, which has opened up the division for the taking. I’m expecting the Steelers to handle business the next two weeks, but I want to see them face off with a legitimately good team (ex: the Green Bay Packers on 10/26) before getting ahead of myself. Make no mistake about it, a home playoff game should be the next goal for this team.
Q: Are you worried about Aaron Rodgers historically low average time to throw? And how does that impact the development of their young offensive tackles long-term?
A: Rodgers’ preferred play style of getting the ball out quickly has just been far more effective this year (7th in EPA/DB on throws under 2.5 secs) compared to last season when he finished 32nd, so there hasn’t been a reason for them to switch things up a ton. He’s also only averaging 5.1 yards average depth of target this year, which would be the lowest in the PFF era dating back to 2006, so it’s fair to question the sustainability of this model. Obviously, Rodgers has limitations at this stage of his career, but I still believe they are easier to work around than a guy like Russell Wilson’s, for example. As the season continues, defenses will surely adjust, and we’ll find out if the old gunslinger still has a changeup in his arsenal.
For my money, Fautanu has flashed a ton of potential, and Jones has been serviceable since the season opener. Over the next few months, we’ll gain a better understanding of the progress that the two youngsters are making in pass pro, but with all of the changing parts to the offense, approaching September with caution makes sense. By limiting the number of true dropbacks, they’re also protecting their tackles, and they’re also keeping hits off the 41-year-old signal caller. The goal is to keep Rodgers upright and healthy for a run down the stretch.
Q: Could the Steelers trade for Jakobi Meyers with Las Vegas struggling out of the gate?
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) warms up before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
A: After not receiving a contract extension this offseason, Meyers requested a trade prior to week one, but his appeal was denied by the organization. With the Raiders now sitting at 1-4, could they change their stance on listening to offers for the NC State product? I think that’s certainly possible. His inside/outside versatility, toughness, and ultra-reliable hands make him a good number two wideout and a perfect complement to what DK Metcalf brings to the table.
The question would be whether the Steelers are truly all that interested in shelling out a draft pick and giving another contract extension out to another pass catcher. Given how they’ve operated over the last couple of years, it’s fair to be skeptical about that being the case. Meyers, who turns 29 next month, would be a nice upgrade for the present and future.
Q: Where would rank Big Ben among NFL quarterbacks all-time?
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger during a joint practice against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 14, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
A: Roethlisberger had such a unique play style that continually evolved over the years, ranking 5th in passing yards, 5th in wins as a starter, and 8th in passing touchdowns. Beyond the counting stats, what set Ben apart was his ability to come through late in games when it mattered most, with his 53 game-winning drives and 41 fourth-quarter comebacks ranking third all-time at the position. The catch was phenomenal, but I still believe to this day that his touchdown toss to Santonio Holmes to win Super Bowl 43 is the best throw I’ve ever seen. The most common argument against his legacy was that he wasn’t ever the best player in his era, but sharing a conference with Tom Brady and Peyton Manning is tough luck more than anything else. Somewhere in the top 12-15 feels fair, and he should absolutely be a first-ballot Hall of Famer when his time comes.
Q: Which upcoming quarterback prospect would be the best fit for the Pittsburgh Steelers? And how much draft capital would you be willing to give up to make it happen?
Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
A: This is a very good question to which I have a pretty simple answer: take the best player available and then determine who is the best architect for the offense you’re looking to construct. I am a firm believer that you tailor the offense to the skill set of the quarterback, not vice versa. During the bye week, I examined the 2026 NFL Draft class and reset my rankings for the position, coming away from the exercise believing that the team would be lucky to land any of the top three players on that list: Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, Oregon’s Dante Moore, or South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers. There’s plenty of ball left to be played, meaning things could change in time.
Adding to the list of unknowns is the Steelers’ draft position come April, which will inevitably determine the price of a potential move up in the order. Based on the comments made by general manager Omar Khan, Pittsburgh understands the need to be aggressive in finding a long-term solution at the sport’s most important position. They’ve even accumulated some additional assets via the George Pickens trade and the compensatory selection formula. Still, a significant jump is going to require at least one future first-round pick. With the hit rate on quarterbacks being so futile, I’d have a hard time signing off on a Trey Lance-type of move that included three firsts, but at the same time, there is truly no cost too great for a franchise passer on a rookie deal.
Q: Who are your top-five wide receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft so far?
Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State Athletics
A: Coming into the season, I found this crop of pass catchers fairly uninspiring, but my feelings on that have since changed. There’s some real talent with this group. Arizona State’s Jordan Tyson and USC’s Makai Lemon carried preliminary first-round grades over the summer, and both have been fantastic to begin the fall. Louisville’s Chris Bell has been dominating recently with his intriguing combination of size/speed, and Ohio State’s Carnell Tate has shown notable improvement as a route runner this season. I would still give the nod to Washington playmaker Denzel Boston for the fifth spot on the list, with Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell and Alabama’s Germie Bernard hot on his trail. For the Steelers’ sake, hopefully things continue to trend upwards in the right direction.
Mentioned In This Article: 2026 NFL Draft Aaron Rodgers Ben Roethlisberger Jakobi Meyers Steelers top