Now that the initial wave of free agency is over, the Pittsburgh Steelers\u2019 roster is taking shape, and it\u2019s becoming clearer what the team needs in the buildup to the 2026 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh answered a lot of questions in free agency and on the trade market so far under GM Omar Khan, but there is one major need that still needs addressed. It just so happens to be in a unit in which Pittsburgh has invested heavily in recent years.<\/p>\n
That would be the offensive line, specifically left guard at the moment<\/a>. After losing Isaac Seumalo in free agency, Pittsburgh has a large hole at the position. Spencer Anderson is viewed as a starting-caliber player by Khan, but the Steelers need an upgrade there.<\/p>\n Fortunately, ESPN\u2019s Mel Kiper Jr. has just that upgrade.<\/p>\n In his latest mock draft, Kiper paired the Steelers with the best interior offensive lineman in the draft class, that being Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane at No. 21 overall.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Steelers\u2019 quarterback situation is still a big question. Will Aaron Rodgers\u00a0return? Will another veteran step in \u2014 such as\u00a0Kirk Cousins? Or will Pittsburgh target a signal-caller in the draft? No matter what the Steelers plan to do, the top two quarterbacks are off the board here, and there isn\u2019t a third one worthy of a Day 1 selection,\u201d Kiper writes.<\/a> \u201cInstead, Pittsburgh can try to replace Isaac Seumalo, who signed with the Cardinals. Ioane is the top pure guard in the class, with the power to physically move pass rushers out of the way and the light feet to erase second-level defenders.<\/p>\n \u201cHe didn\u2019t give up any sacks last season.\u201d<\/p>\n With offensive tackles in the draft commanding a lot of attention, specifically those with first-round talent, the interior of the offensive line gets overlooked. That\u2019s understandable, considering guard isn\u2019t as valuable a commodity as tackle in today\u2019s NFL.<\/p>\n