Bringing you my latest Pittsburgh Steelers mock draft. With just over one week until the big event, we have nearly all the information possible in assessing the players the Steelers are most likely to target in 2026. Below is my best guess of those prospects. Reminder, this is what I think the team will do, not necessarily what I would prefer.<\/p>\n
Keep in mind I also don\u2019t predict out trades in my mocks even as I recognize Pittsburgh is unlikely to make all 12 selections.<\/p>\n
My final Steelers mock draft will drop one week from today.<\/p>\n
Previous Steelers Mock Drafts<\/p>\n
Pre-Free Agency<\/a> Round One (21st Overall) \u2013 Omar Cooper Jr.\/WR Indiana: 6001, 199 pounds<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0After considering but ultimately opting against him as Pittsburgh\u2019s pick in my last mock draft, Cooper is officially in pole position. He\u2019s yet to come in for a pre-draft visit, but with multiple final ones scheduled, I have to think the Steelers are on his list. It would be shocking if not.<\/p>\n Cooper checks so many boxes. Good-enough size. Solid testing (his 4.42 40 was an awesome time). Production. Toughness and character. Inside\/outside versatility. Good coaching with links back to the team, learning under new Pittsburgh WRs coach Adam Henry as a freshman at Indiana in 2022. On paper, there\u2019s little reasons for Cooper not\u00a0to be the pick.<\/p>\n Out of the gate, he could slide in as the team\u2019s No. 3 and full-time slot receiver. In a year or two, he could become the clear No. 2 opposite DK Metcalf. Cooper is a seamless fit for a Pittsburgh passing game that needs more juice and hasn\u2019t been three-deep at receiver in years.<\/p>\n WR Omar Cooper Jr. Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0OG Vega Ioane, CB Chris Johnson, S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, WR Denzel Boston<\/p>\n Round Two (53rd Overall) \u2013 Keylan Rutledge\/OG Georgia Tech: 6035, 316 pounds<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0One of Pittsburgh\u2019s biggest short-term needs is at guard. Isaac Seumalo left<\/a>, and the Steelers don\u2019t have a clear-cut starter with Spencer Anderson and Brock Hoffman as current competitors. Perhaps Rutledge isn\u2019t a slam-dunk replacement, but he\u2019d become the favorite for the job. A nasty run blocker, he carries the disposition the Steelers like and, frankly, one they need. Pittsburgh is missing true maulers. Zach Frazier comes close, but pairing him next to Rutledge can take the run game to the next level.<\/p>\n Scheme fit is a consideration. Rutledge fits better in a gap than a zone scheme. It\u2019s not clear what Pittsburgh plans to run; it likely leans toward zone, but the Steelers still think highly enough of Rutledge to bring him in for a pre-draft visit. As of this writing, he\u2019s been the only guard to come in. He\u2019s tough with basketball feet. He is also experienced, proving he could play at a higher collegiate level after transferring from Middle Tennessee State.<\/p>\n Keylan Rutledge Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0WR Germie Bernard, ILB Jacob Rodriguez, OL Gennings Dunker<\/p>\n Round Three (76th Overall) \u2013 Malik Muhammad\/CB Texas: 6000, 182 pounds<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0After signing CB Jamel Dean in free agency, it didn\u2019t appear that cornerback would be high on the Steelers\u2019 list. Their pre-draft movements say otherwise. To date, the Steelers have brought in four cornerbacks, second most of any position, only behind wide receiver. Pittsburgh also sent a heavy presence to Tennessee\u2019s Pro Day<\/a> to work out the Volunteers\u2019 first-round corners Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood. That\u2019s plenty of smoke.<\/p>\n Why so much interest? Maybe Pittsburgh wants extreme depth. To have all options in an AFC North where the Steelers face Ja\u2019Marr Chase and Tee Higgins twice a year. With Joey Porter Jr.\u2019s extension not done and, on paper, him entering a contract year, and Dean turning 30 in October, the Steelers are perhaps protecting themselves with depth.<\/p>\n Muhammad is a good \u201cbaseline\u201d prospect. He checks all the surface-level boxes. Size, production, athleticism, character, and age (he\u2019s 21 until September). Perhaps he\u2019ll play some slot early to find a Year 1 role where he can make an impact.<\/p>\n CB Malik Muhammad Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0WR Antonio Williams, S Jakobe Thomas, CB Davison Igbinosun<\/p>\n Round Three (85th Overall) \u2013 Genesis Smith\/FS Arizona: 6021, 202 pounds<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0Back-to-back secondary selections. Safety still seems like a need, but the Steelers have so far brought in only two for pre-draft visits. Maybe the team feels more comfortable with its current options after adding Jaquan Brisker and retaining Jalen Ramsey, while DeShon Elliott will be healthy again.<\/p>\n A true free safety is ideal, and Smith is near the top of his class in 2025 free safety reps. His game is inconsistent, and he doesn\u2019t always play to his excellent testing (4.52 40, 10\u201910\u201d broad, 42 vert). But he can take a year to largely sit and learn before potentially stepping into a starting free safety role come 2027.<\/p>\n Genesis Smith Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0WR Ted Hurst, DB Jalen Kilgore, OT Dametrious Crownover<\/p>\n Round Three (99th Overall) \u2013Markel Bell\/OT Miami (FL): 6092, 346 pounds<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0Pittsburgh\u2019s only brought in two offensive linemen, but they share a clear trait: great size. Bell is the draft\u2019s biggest player at taller than 6-9 and nearly 350 pounds with 36 3\/8-inch arms. The Hurricanes\u2019 left tackle, Bell will provide depth and insurance as Broderick Jones works his way back from his 2025 neck injury and surgery.<\/p>\n Under Omar Khan and Andy Weidl, the Steelers have consistently addressed the offensive line. That trend continues with all their 2026 capital.<\/p>\n Markel Bell Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0QB Carson Beck, DL Darrell Jackson, WR Skyler Bell<\/p>\n Round Four (121st Overall) \u2013 Marlin Klein\/TE Michigan: 6060, 248 pounds<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0Tight end depth is thin behind Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington. Klein has great size and experience as an in-line blocker. His receiving production is limited, but his college chances were scarce, and he showed straight-line speed with a 4.61 40-yard dash. The Steelers love drafting Big Ten tight ends: Connor Heyward, Pat Freiermuth, Zach Gentry, and Jesse James since 2015. The only exception is Darnell Washington.<\/p>\n Marlin Klein Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0QB Cole Payton, ILB Harold Perkins Jr., CB Tacario Davis<\/p>\n Round Four (135th Overall) \u2013 Chris McClellan\/DL Missouri: 6036, 313 pounds<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0Sticking with McClellan from my last mock draft for the same reasons. A well-proportioned defensive lineman who offers an acceptable combination of run defense and pass rush. In 2025, he picked up six sacks. He\u2019ll round out the defensive line room with the potential of seeing a much more elevated role in 2027.<\/p>\n Chris McClellan Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0QB Taylen Green, S Zakee Wheatley, RET Kaden Wetjen<\/p>\n Round Five (161st Overall) \u2013 Caleb Douglas\/WR Texas Tech: 6034, 206 pounds<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0Attempting not to make this mock draft filled entirely with pre-draft visitors, the Steelers double-dip at wide receiver. Pittsburgh didn\u2019t bring Douglas in for a visit but held a formal meeting with him<\/a> at the NFL Combine. An underrated prospect, Douglas shows quickness out of his breaks and is a vertical threat who can make difficult catches in traffic. His problem is inconsistent hands and a lack of special teams value, but he\u2019ll make the back end of the receiver depth chart better as an outside receiver.<\/p>\n If he has to begin his career on the practice squad, it\u2019s not the end of the world.<\/p>\n Caleb Douglas Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0S Jalen Husky, OT Travis Burke, WR Kendrick Law<\/p>\n Round Six (216th Overall) \u2013 Jaden Dugger\/ILB Louisiana: 6046, 242 pounds<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0Pittsburgh brought Dugger in for a local visit. A former wide receiver at Penn Hills High School<\/a>, Dugger began his career as a safety at Georgetown before bulking up to play inside linebacker at Louisiana. A one-year starter, he racked up tackles with a strong 2025 season. Dugger is raw and learning the position, but his physical profile is difficult to rival: nearly 6-5, 240 pounds with 35-inch arms and a 4.6 40-yard dash.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh could draft the position earlier. But if the team waits, Dugger is a name to circle.<\/p>\n Jaden Dugger Scouting Report<\/a><\/p>\n Others Considered:\u00a0ILB Jack Kelly, FB Max Bredeson, EDGE Caden Curry<\/p>\n Round Seven (224th Overall) \u2013 Desmond Reid\/RB Pitt: 5062, 176 pounds<\/p>\n Analysis:\u00a0Reid is listed as a running back in what would be a crowded room. But think of Reid as much of a returner as he would be an offensive player. A dangerous punt returner with two career scores, Reid is a natural pass catcher with better toughness and pass protection than his frame would suggest.<\/p>\n In many ways, Reid\u2019s game is similar to Kenneth Gainwell\u2019s. Playing in Pittsburgh the last two years after transferring from Western Carolina, the Steelers know his background well. He\u2019ll compete for a special teams\/returner spot on the 53-man roster.<\/p>\n
Post-Free Agency<\/a><\/p>\n