We\u2019re less than two weeks away from the start of the 2026 NFL Draft, and things continue to take shape for the Pittsburgh Steelers when it comes to draft needs and potential targets at those positions of need.<\/p>\n
So far, the Steelers have hosted a total of 27 players<\/a> for official pre-draft visits, three of which are local and don\u2019t count towards the allotted 30.<\/p>\n The Steelers find themselves still waiting for a decision from 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers, too, which makes quarterback a need at the moment, though not necessarily in the first round in a down quarterback class. Other positions of need remain at offensive tackle, left guard, wide receiver, tight end, linebacker and in the secondary.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a lot of work to do here for GM Omar Khan and assistant GM Andy Weidl. Fortunately, the Steelers have 12 picks to work with in the draft. They could be aggressive and trade up, or they could trade down and try to add some picks for the 2027 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n Below, I laid out my latest mock draft for the Steelers across seven rounds. No trades, so all 12 picks are used.<\/p>\n Enjoy.<\/p>\n ROUND 1 (21ST OVERALL) \u2013 JORDYN TYSON, WR, ARIZONA STATE<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0Yes, the durability concerns are real, and yes, it\u2019s concerning and somewhat frustrating that he hasn\u2019t done any on-field testing for NFL teams \u2014 and won\u2019t do so \u2014 until next week. But the tape doesn\u2019t lie, and the tape is very good when it comes to Arizona State\u2019s Jordyn Tyson. He\u2019s a big-bodied receiver, which new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy wants, and he can create after the catch.<\/p>\n The blocking is adequate, too, and he\u2019s learned under a past Steelers great in Hines Ward during his time with the Sun Devils. With DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. already in the room, adding Tyson \u2014 who I believe will slide outside of the top 20 due to the injury issues \u2014 would be a home run for the Steelers. They\u2019ve taken chances on injury concerns before and been rewarded.<\/p>\n Others considered: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana; Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama; Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo<\/p>\n Previous selection: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington (version 1.0), KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M (version 2.0)<\/p>\n Jordyn Tyson Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n ROUND 2 (53RD OVERALL) \u2014 A.J. HAULCY, S, LSU<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0Even with the likes of Jalen Ramsey, DeShon Elliott and Jaquan Brisker in the safety room, not to mention hopefully soon Darnell Savage and special teams piece Sebastian Castro, the Steelers still have a need at safety. Specifically, the Steelers have a need at safety for one with ball skills. LSU\u2019s A.J. Haulcy has that in abundance.<\/p>\n Last season with the Tigers, Haulcy had three interceptions in 12 games, which came one season after he had five interceptions with Houston in 2024. He\u2019s a bit undersized at height wise at 5115 but he can handle a single-high role and brings high-level ball skills to the secondary. He can play all over the defense, too.<\/p>\n Others considered: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati; Keionte Scott, CB, Miami (FL); Gennings Dunker, iOL, Iowa\u00a0<\/p>\n Previous selection: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State (version 1.0), Gennings Dunker, iOL, Iowa (version 2.0)<\/p>\n A.J. Haulcy Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n ROUND 3 (76TH OVERALL, FROM COWBOYS) \u2014 KEYLAN RUTLEDGE, iOL, GEORGIA TECH<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0There are some draft analysts who see Georgia Tech iOL Keylan Rutledge as a first-round pick. Many see him as a second rounder, but considering he\u2019s a guard and has worked some at center, I can\u2019t see the league valuing him that high. Instead, I think he drops to the third round, and that would be terrific for the Steelers, especially with them having him in as a pre-draft visitor.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh can say they are confident in Spencer Anderson at left guard all they want, but they need to upgrade the position. Rutledge would fit in perfectly as that mauler in the middle alongside Zach Frazier. His presence would give the Steelers two legitimate ass-kickers at guard with Mason McCormick, too.<\/p>\n It all starts up front for the Steelers. Rutledge would be plug-and-play.<\/p>\n Others considered: Darrell Jackson Jr., DL, Florida State; Max Klare, TE, Ohio State; Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh<\/p>\n Previous selection: Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU (version 1.0), Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia (version 2.0)<\/p>\n Keylan Rutledge Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n ROUND 3 (85TH OVERALL) \u2014 OSCAR DELP, TE, GEORGIA<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0Throwing a couple of new names at you here, so bear with me. There has been some buzz recently regarding the Steelers and potentially drafting a tight end early. There\u2019s been some questions about the future of Darnell Washington, too, and his fit in McCarthy\u2019s scheme.<\/p>\n The Steelers attended the Georgia Pro Day heavily, and Oscar Delp is one of the better tight ends in the class. He ran a blazing 4.48 40-yard dash, can be a power slot and can hold his own as an in-line blocking tight end. Pittsburgh needs as many weapons as possible, and with questions about the future of the position with what\u2019s on the roster currently, it makes some sense for them to swing big on the position.<\/p>\n Delp might feel like a luxury pick this early, but long-term he could be a great fit in McCarthy\u2019s scheme.<\/p>\n Others considered: Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia; Sam Roush, TE, Stanford; Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech<\/p>\n Previous selection: Darrell Jackson Jr., DL, Florida State (version 1.0), Drew Allar, QB, Penn State (version 2.0)<\/p>\n Oscar Delp Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n ROUND 3 (99TH OVERALL \u2014 COMPENSATORY) \u2014 AUSTIN BARBER, OT, FLORIDA<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0The second of two new names here for you, and this one comes at left tackle. Florida\u2019s Austin Barber isn\u2019t getting much buzz, but for a guy who has started 38 career games in college at left tackle and has seen some time at right tackle in his career, this is a nice shot at the position.<\/p>\n He might not be as stout in pass protection as some others in this range, but he brings a nasty demeanor to the position, which would help fit the identity the Steelers are building up front. Add in the fact that he\u2019s working with a former NFL great<\/a> in Joe Staley former NFL OL coach Paul Alexander and is just 22 years old, this is a nice piece for the Steelers to add to the room under James Campen and Jahri Evans\u2019 direction.<\/p>\n Others considered: Markel Bell, OT, Miami (FL); Carson Beck, QB, Miami (FL); Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama<\/p>\n Previous selection: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson (version 1.0), Markel Bell, OT, Miami (FL) (version 2.0)<\/p>\n Austin Barber Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n ROUND 4 (121ST OVERALL) \u2014 COLE PAYTON, QB, NORTH DAKOTA STATE<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0Throughout much of the pre-draft process, I\u2019ve consistently taken a quarterback with one of the three third-round picks for the Steelers. This time, though, I\u2019m waiting until the fourth round. There\u2019s some buzz that just two quarterbacks will be taken on the first two days of the draft, pushing names down the board. In this scenario that happens, allowing the Steelers to land North Dakota State\u2019s Cole Payton in the fourth round.<\/p>\n The Steelers have done plenty of work on Payton to this point. They hosted him for a pre-draft visit, and QBs coach Tom Arth went to his Pro Day. He meets the physical requirements that McCarthy laid out a few weeks ago, fitting the description of an AFC North QB.<\/p>\n It all makes sense as a developmental QB behind (eventually) Aaron Rodgers and Will Howard.<\/p>\n Others considered: Bryce Boettcher, LB, Oregon; Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington; Brenan Thompson, WR, Mississippi State<\/p>\n Previous selection: Bud Clark, S, TCU (version 1.0), Kaden Wetjen, WR\/PR, Iowa (version 2.0)<\/p>\n Cole Payton Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n ROUND 4 (135TH OVERALL, COMPENSATORY) \u2014 HAROLD PERKINS JR., LB, LSU<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0There are questions about Patrick Queen\u2019s future in Pittsburgh, and rightfully so. He\u2019s been a bit of a disappointment and enters the final year of his contract. The Steelers need to look toward the future and start adding youth to the room to build with Payton Wilson. Landing Harold Perkins Jr., another pre-draft visitor, accomplishes that.<\/p>\n Perkins was on a meteoric rise as a freshman at LSU, looking like the next elite defender to make it to the NFL. Then, LSU coaching moved him all over the place and disrupted his growth. He\u2019s still shown flashes on tape as that dominant off-ball linebacker, but the inconsistencies with his role have hindered him.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why this type of talent should fall to early Day 3. The Steelers would be very happy with that, landing an uber-athletic specimen to put in the room with Wilson long-term.<\/p>\n Others considered: Ja\u2019Kobe Lane, WR, USC; Tauren York, LB, Texas A&M; Caleb Douglas, WR, Texas Tech\u00a0<\/p>\n Previous selection: Nick Singleton, RB, Penn State (version 1.0), DeMonte Capehart, DL, Clemson (version 2.0)<\/p>\n Harold Perkins Jr. Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n ROUND 5 (161ST OVERALL) \u2014 EPHESIANS PRYSOCK, CB, WASHINGTON<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0While I still think the cornerback position is a much greater need for the Steelers than most, I do have them waiting until the fifth round to address it here. Still, they land a nice developmental prospect at the position with great size in Washington\u2019s Ephesians Prysock, a player they hosted for a pre-draft visit.<\/p>\n Prysock opened a ton of eyes at the Combine, measuring in at 6033, 196 pounds with 33 1\/8-inch arms. He also clocked a 4.45 40 with a 39-inch vertical, putting up some terrific testing numbers. With that size and length along with that speed, he could be a really good piece opposite Joey Porter Jr. long-term in Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n Others considered: DeMonte Capehart, DL, Clemson; Albert Regis, DL, Texas A&M; Aiden Fisher, LB, Indiana<\/p>\n Previous selection: Ar\u2019maj Reed-Adams, iOL, Texas A&M (version 1.0), Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington (version 2.0)<\/p>\n Ephesians Prysock Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n ROUND 6 (216TH OVERALL, COMPENSATORY) \u2014 KADEN WETJEN, WR\/KR, IOWA<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0Losing Calvin Austin III in free agency hurt, not from a receiver perspective, but from a punt return perspective. The Steelers don\u2019t have anyone on the roster right now who can return punts and adequately replace Austin. That\u2019s why I\u2019m so high on Iowa\u2019s Kaden Wetjen as a perfect fit for the Steelers.<\/p>\n He was the nation\u2019s best punt returner two years in a row, and can return kicks at an elite level, too. He\u2019s still developing as a receiver as well, but he was dominant at the East-West Shrine Bowl as a route runner, showing off his ability to separate consistently.<\/p>\n Special teams is very important in today\u2019s NFL, and the Steelers need to address the return game in a big way.<\/p>\n Others considered: Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas; Jeff Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati; Caden Curry, EDGE, Ohio State<\/p>\n Previous selection: James Thompson, DL, Illinois (version 1.0), Red Murdock, LB, Buffalo (version 2.0)<\/p>\n Kaden Wetjen Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n ROUND 7 (224TH OVERALL, FROM PATRIOTS) \u2014 JAMES THOMPSON JR., DL, ILLINOIS<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0Another pre-draft visitor here in Illinois\u2019 James Thompson Jr., and a guy who I\u2019ve tabbed as a great fit for the Steelers for months now due to his size and ability to play up and down the line of scrimmage. His tape at Illinois wasn\u2019t all that great, especially rushing the passer, but he sure can defend the run and has good power to his frame.<\/p>\n I compared him to former Steelers defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk due to his ability to defend the run. He still has a lot of developing to do as a pass rusher, but he profiles as a guy who could give the Steelers some early-game rotational snaps.<\/p>\n Others considered: Tim Keenan II, DL, Alabama; Riley Nowakowski, FB\/TE, Indiana; Deven Eastern, DL, Minnesota<\/p>\n Previous selection: Xavian Sorey Jr., LB, Arkansas (version 1.0), Max Bredeson, FB\/TE, Michigan (version 2.0)<\/p>\n James Thompson Jr. Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n ROUND 7 (230TH OVERALL, FROM COLTS) \u2014 MAX BREDESON, FB, MICHIGAN<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0Throughout his coaching career, McCarthy has always used a fullback. The Steelers don\u2019t have one on the roster currently after losing Connor Heyward to Las Vegas in free agency. In steps another young player who can handle fullback and tight end duties with NFL bloodlines in Michigan\u2019s Max Bredeson.<\/p>\n He was a valuable special teams piece during his time at Michigan. He plays with a real edge and embraces the blocking aspect of the game. There are some concerns about durability due to his style of play, but he has the look of a McCarthy-like fullback.<\/p>\n Others considered: Jaden Dugger, LB, Louisiana; Andre Fuller, CB, Toledo; Khalil Dinkins, TE, Penn State<\/p>\n Previous selection: Riley Nowakowski, FB\/TE, Indiana (version 1.0), Lorenzo Styles, S, Ohio State (version 2.0)<\/p>\n