Thanks to a very active offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into the 2026 NFL draft with the freedom to use their first-round pick on the top player on the board without stressing finding an immediate starter right out of the gate. Here are our five most realistic first-round options for the Steelers in the first round.
OL Kadyn Proctor – Alabama
Steelers fans would love to see Penn State guard Vega Ioane here but we don’t see him being on the board this late in the round. So instead, the Steelers could land Alabama’s Proctor who played tackle in college but projects as a top guard in the NFL.
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WR Omar Cooper Jr. – Indiana
Despite trading for Michael Pittman Jr., the Steelers could still stand to add a quality third receiver who is essentially a starter. Cooper’s ability to get open and his skills once the football is in his hands is on par with any receiver in this draft.
OT Blake Miller – Clemson
If the Steelers are worried about Broderick Jones injury and his ability to play in 2026, Blake Miller makes sense. He’s not quite on par with the top four offensive tackles in this class who will all be gone but Miller’s ceiling is definitely as a quality starter in the NFL.
LB CJ Allen – Georgia
Look out for CJ Allen. He was primarily an inside and off-ball linebacker at Georgia but his NFL potential is to work inside and outside in a 3-4 and this might be exactly why the Steelers were at the Georgia Pro Day.
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CB Colton Hood – Tennessee
If the Steelers feel like they are set at safety with Jalen Ramsey, they could go with Colton Hood here as their No. 3 cornerback, who can start on the boundary and let Brandin Echols and Asante Samuel Jr. man the slot.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: 5 most realistic 1st-round Steelers options in the 2026 NFL draft