Who will the Steelers select in the first round of the draft (and will they trade up for him)?<\/p>\n
The 2026 NFL Draft is nearly here. We\u2019ll soon learn who the Steelers\u2019 first-round pick will be\u2014and how they acquire him. With additional draft capital this year, and a dearth of top-end talent, many anticipate a trade up. Mark Kaboly, for example, has all but guaranteed it, while Gerry Dulac said the odds are as high as ever. Considering the Steelers have traded up multiple times in the past decade, that\u2019s not far from a guarantee, too.<\/p>\n
The Steelers are slated to draft at 21, but they could move into the middle of the round by, perhaps, giving up a third-round pick. Given that they have three third-rounders (and two fourth-rounders), it\u2019s a doable option. Some would argue it\u2019s the prudent move, contending that the Steelers don\u2019t have enough open roster spots for their 12 selections. And even if they trade a third-round pick, they could use later picks to add another.<\/p>\n
While this has been a less predictable draft cycle for the Steelers, there are still favored position predictions. As the clock winds down, it seems most are predicting the Steelers pick a wide receiver or offensive lineman in the first round. A defensive back is also a possibility with the right player available, or a run on their top choices. Steelers owner Art Rooney II essentially already said they\u2019re not drafting a first-round quarterback, so there\u2019s that, too.<\/p>\n
The favorite possibility for many, I think, would be the Steelers drafting Vega Ioane. He looks like a Steeler, and a Steeler who would excel for a decade. The question is whether he will make it past the Ravens, which experts are doubting on draft day eve. Many are also predicting a run on offensive linemen, which could precipitate a trade up. One such run spurred the Steelers to trade up for Broderick Jones in 2023.<\/p>\n
Then there are the wide receivers, including some they might trade up for. The Steelers gushed about Makai Lemon in their pre-draft press conference, for example. They also have connections to Omar Cooper Jr. and have any number of other options. Perhaps the biggest question there would be is the wide receiver depth so great that it\u2019s better to wait? That has been their approach more often than not, but maybe it\u2019s time to reverse that way of thinking.<\/p>\n
The Steelers exited the playoffs in the first round yet again, a pattern going back to 2017. With seven consecutive postseason losses<\/a>, and no wins in nearly a decade, they are facing another long, long offseason. No doubt we will see many changes, but none will top Mike Tomlin resigning.<\/p>\n