Updated March 21, 2026, 10:41 p.m. ET
The folks over at Pro Football and Sports Network have put together a huge seven-round mock draft after the first wave of NFL free agency. You know, when it comes to the 2026 NFL draft, if someone is going to go a full seven rounds, you know we have to dig into the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ picks.
We will give you a full breakdown of the Steelers picks in rounds 1-4, and just not that from the fifth round through the seventh round, those picks are all solid developmental guys, none of which stand out either positively or negatively.
First round – CB Jermod McCoy – Tennessee
Despite re-signing Asante Samuel Jr. and signing Jamel Dean, we can see this happening. Pittsburgh needs a guy who can back up Dean and Joey Porter Jr. on the boundary and McCoy fits the bill. A name to stash away in this scenario is Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq, who is still on the board. The Steelers cut ties with two of their four top tight ends this offseason and Sadiq is a crazy athlete and playmaker.
Second round – G Chase Bisontis – Texas A&M
We expect new head coach Mike McCarthy to give newly-signed guard Brock Hoffman every chance to start at left guard. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean you pass on a top guard here. The Steelers have their pick of Chase Bisontis and Iowa’s Gennings Dunker here, and it would depend on the style of lineman they want.
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.Third round – DT Darrell Jackson – Florida State
We like Darrell Jackson here as an eventual replacement for Cameron Heyward, thanks to his length. This is what stands out about him ahead of some of the other defensive tackles on the board.
Third round – WR Zach Branch – Georgia
Getting another wide receiver makes sense here and while Branch is a lot like Calvin Austin III, who left in free agency, Branch is a healthy receiver and excellent return man.
Third round – OT Dametrious Crownover – Texas A&M
Crownover is a solid insurance policy in case things don’t work out with Broderick Jones after this season, but he’s probably not ready to come in and start in 2026 if Jones can’t go.
Fourth round – QB Carson Beck – Miami
This is the only fourth-round pick we will touch on because it’s a quarterback. While we have no particular issue with taking a flyer on a quarterback here, doing it with Miami’s Carson Beck while North Dakota State’s Cole Payton is still on the board isn’t something we can get behind. We’d be good with Payton in the third, so they can’t pass on him here in favor of Beck.
Fourth round – LB Red Murdock – Buffalo
Fifth round – C Logan Jones – Iowa
Sixth round – RB Adam Randall – Clemson
Seventh round – TE John Michael Gyllenborg – Wyoming
Seventh round – CB Preston Hodge – Colorado
Seventh round – WR Malik Benson – Oregon