Welcome to the Pittsburgh Steelers Stock Report, where we track the rise and fall of key trends across the team, position groups, standout players, and coaching decisions. It is here where we break down who’s gaining momentum, who’s slipping, and what it all means for the Steelers’ trajectory. This team has high expectations in 2026, and those expectations are adjusting heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.

Let’s dive into the Steelers Stock Report following free agency and before the 3-day selection process begins:

STOCK UP

Will Howard

Is there any player on the current roster who has been pumped up as much as Will Howard? He has to enter the 2026 offseason workouts booming with confidence after Mike McCarthy and Omar Khan’s comments this offseason. Will he step up and fill those big shoes which have been constructed by the current leadership regime? That has yet to be determined, but for a player who hasn’t even played a preseason snap in the NFL, the fan base is determined he is the next Tom Brady. Yeah, Howard’s stock is up.

Offensive Weapons

Unlike last season, the Steelers offensive weapons certainly have improved this offseason. The acquisition of Michael Pittman Jr. via trade and the signing of Rico Dowdle should have fans feeling better about their weapons on offense. Sure, there is still work to be done, especially at wide receiver, but the weaponry is already better. Having DK Metcalf and Pittman is a massive improvement, and Dowdle provides a great contrast to Jaylen Warren. While this stock should continue to rise post-draft, it’s already headed in the right direction.

Defensive Line

The addition of Sebastian Joseph-Day has provided the Steelers with a depth they haven’t had along the defensive line since Stephon Tuitt was on the roster. The Steelers now have Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon, Joseph-Day, Yahya Black, Esezi Otomewo, and even Logan Lee. The defensive line has plenty of depth, and any picks they make at the position during the draft will be a luxury pick. The defensive line is looking good.

Cornerback Depth

When was the last time the Steelers had a cornerback they felt was a building block for the defense? Ike Taylor? Since the Taylor, Deshea Townsend, Bryan McFadden and William Gay era ended the Steelers have been very transient at the position. The long list of re-treads and band-aids at cornerback eventually led to another No. 24 being the next cornerback who they should build around. That is none other than Joey Porter Jr., and they have started to truly build around him. Signing Jamel Dean gives them another capable outside cornerback, and when you throw in Asante Samuel Jr. and Brandin Echols the secondary depth is solid. Add Jalen Ramsey being the jack-of-all-trades and cornerback is certainly trending upwards.

Offensive Line Depth

Just like wide receiver, there is still work to be done, but you can’t complain about the depth the Steelers have along the offensive line. The addition of Brock Hoffman, the re-signing of Ryan McCollum, and the emergence of Dylan Cook last season in a small sample size shows the team has some quality depth along the line. Throw in Spencer Anderson, who can play any position along the line, and I’d suggest the only concern on the offensive line is not the depth, but trying to upgrade their starters, especially on the left side of the line.

STOCK DOWN

Kaleb Johnson

When the Steelers signed Rico Dowdle it was a clear sign the new coaching staff didn’t believe Johnson was the guy to fill the void left by Kenneth Gainwell. And why should they? Johnson’s rookie season was remembered for all the wrong reasons. Johnson is going to be on the team in 2026, but if he gets a helmet on game day he’ll have to earn it. Johnson will get a clean slate, as McCarthy said at the league owners meetings, but he’s going to have to earn it. However, if there was a shot across the bow of a player this offseason, Johnson was one of them.

Roman Wilson

Just like Johnson, the Steelers signing Pittman sent a clear message to Wilson. It wasn’t that his days in Pittsburgh are numbered, but that he has to earn any repetitions he’ll get this season. Wilson is putting in work, and like Johnson he’ll get a clean slate, but you can’t think his stock is trending in a positive direction, especially with almost every pundit predicting the Steelers drafting at least one wide receiver in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Kickoff/Punt Returner

With Calvin Austin III leaving in free agency to the Giants, the Steelers don’t currently have a return man on the roster. I’m not keen on running backs taking kickoffs, for obvious reasons, and I don’t view Donte Kent as a viable option after he tore his ACL when he tried to return off Injured Reserve (IR) last season. The Steelers finding a player who can return both kickoffs and punts will be an important part of the process this offseason.

Left Tackle

I know I talked about the offensive line depth in the Stock Up category, but the Steelers starting left tackle situation is far from comforting. Broderick Jones is coming off neck fusion surgery, and Dylan Cook had such a small sample size last year the Steelers left tackle situation is anything but settled. Could it all work out? It absolutely could. Jones could come back from his surgery and show he is worthy of the starting job, or Cook could prove he is the diamond-in-the-rough player the offensive line has needed. Until then, the stock is trending down at this position.

Quarterback

Will Howard has been pumped up, but right now there are only two quarterbacks on the roster: Howard and Mason Rudolph. Until Aaron Rodgers makes up his mind, and the Steelers decide how they want to fill out the position in the NFL Draft and in free agency, this position is one of those which doesn’t invoke much confidence.

I spoke about this in detail in the Wednesday “Let’s Ride” podcast, which can be heard in the player below:

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft