It's nearly here. Thursday night, the 2026 NFL Draft will begin -- right here in our backyard. From Thursday through Saturday, the Steelers will do everything they can to use their 12 picks to improve the roster for 2026 and beyond. And, there's a lot you need to know before Roger Goodell steps up to the podium to kick things off on the North Shore.
To prepare you for this marquee event, I've put together this, for lack of a better term, hodgepodge of information, laying out everything you need to know about the team heading into the biggest event of the offseason. This will include all of the latest I've heard from within the organization, my best projection of the team's top-21 players and all of the other draft and background information we've reported here on DK Pittsburgh Sports throughout the draft cycle.
WHAT I'M HEARING
• The first round is wide open ...
Unlike last year when defensive tackle was the obvious position of choice, things are much more unpredictable this year for the Steelers. Wide receiver is a clear option. Even if they don't take one in the first round, they will take at least one on Day 2 of the draft. The Steelers have done a lot of work on wide receivers, and with both USC's Makai Lemon and Washington's Denzel Boston earning formal Combine interviews and pre-draft visits, they could be first-round options.
But, there are other positions at play. Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane is the only true guard that could go in the first round, and the Steelers landing him would not only be a dream but also a heist. However, offensive tackle shouldn't be ruled out, either. There are a few players that are coming out of college as tackles that could get a clear shot at left tackle if the worst happens with Broderick Jones' injury, but some of those players such as Alabama's Kadyn Proctor, Utah's Spencer Fano and Arizona State's Max Iheanachor could make a move to guard, as well.
Then, this is a rich class for defensive backs, so I wouldn't rule out Oregon's Dillon Thieneman if he were to fall to 21st overall. In fact, defensive back isn't being talked about enough with the Steelers. With 12 picks at their disposal, regardless of how they're used, there could easily be multiple defensive backs taken.
• Let's talk about quarterback ...
The Steelers like Alabama's Ty Simpson more than I expected them to, but I don't think they like him enough to consider him at 21st overall. I don't only say that because Art Rooney II told WTAE-TV this week that they "probably" won't take a quarterback in the first round, but my sources have confirmed what I heard at the Combine: They like him, just not enough to be a surefire first-round pick.
I have it on good authority that the Steelers' meetings at the Combine with Penn State's Drew Allar and Miami (FL)'s Carson Beck went well. And then, the team followed up with both players in pre-draft visits out of genuine interest, not just because both players have injuries in their history, more alarming being Beck's 2024 UCL surgery. The most likely time for the Steelers to take a swing on a quarterback is in the third round. And, based on who projects to be available and who they like, I believe either Allar or Beck are most likely to be drafted by the Steelers.
• Will the Steelers trade up?
The initial plan on the inside was to not trade up in the first round for a non-quarterback. But, with the way general managers are calling each other prior to the draft this year, mainly because of there being two less minutes to make picks now, there is expected to be more action than normal. Thus, the Steelers have to adjust. I still don't believe a trade up is probable, but it's certainly not out of the question. One potential trade up could be leap-frogging the Jets to get to 15th overall and take a wide receiver, perhaps Lemon, who likely won't last until 21st overall.
Day 2 is another distinct possibility for trading up, especially with the three third-round picks the Steelers have at their disposal. The second round is the place to be in this draft, so using a couple of those third-round picks to get another pick in the second round could also be a possibility.
• Will the Steelers trade Alex Highsmith?
Omar Khan is fielding calls on Highsmith. But, that's what GMs do. They get calls about players. The better question is how much legitimate interest is there for Khan to deal Highsmith?
This is the best way for me to put it: When I reached out to sources about the possibility of the Steelers trading Jalen Ramsey and Patrick Queen, I was told definitively that the team had no interest in parting ways with either player. Regarding Highsmith, while I was told the team is not actively shopping him, I also was not told the same definitive answer that they have no interest in trading him. Thus, I'm led to believe there's a possibility of Highsmith being moved, perhaps during the draft. I still believe Highsmith will most likely be a Steeler in 2026, but I'm not 100% convinced of it, either. It's definitely something to monitor throughout the draft.
• Setting up for 2027 ain't so easy ...
Ideally, Khan wanted to use some of his 12 draft picks to acquire capital in the 2027 NFL Draft, when the quarterback class is expected to be much better. However, in speaking with several sources on other teams during the NFL Annual Meeting in Phoenix, the overall feeling is teams that have extra capital in 2027 don't want to give it away, mainly because of the expectation for the class of quarterbacks. Thus, Khan will try to add a pick or two in 2027. But, finding a trading partner to do so will prove to be more difficult than initially expected.
THE TOP 21
When the Steelers build their board for the first round, they'll build it based on the top players leading up to their pick. This year, since they're picking 21st overall, they've built a Top-21 board, but specific to the Steelers. This isn't just the top 21 players in the draft. And in their top 21, Khan, Mike McCarthy, Andy Weidl, Rooney and other decision makers treat each slot as if they were picking there. So, the No. 1 player on the board is who they would select if they were picking first overall in the draft. The No. 2 player is who they would pick if they were picking second overall and the No. 1 player was off the board. And, so on.
This means certain players won't be on this list, despite being high on league-wide draft boards. A great example is edge rusher. This is a great class at the position. But, not only do the Steelers not need one, they have a surplus. So, I have just one on this list.
THE ASYLUM
2026 NFL Draft: Everything you need to know
It's nearly here. Thursday night, the 2026 NFL Draft will begin -- right here in our backyard. From Thursday through Saturday, the Steelers will do everything they can to use their 12 picks to improve the roster for 2026 and beyond. And, there's a lot you need to know before Roger Goodell steps up to the podium to kick things off on the North Shore.
To prepare you for this marquee event, I've put together this, for lack of a better term, hodgepodge of information, laying out everything you need to know about the team heading into the biggest event of the offseason. This will include all of the latest I've heard from within the organization, my best projection of the team's top-21 players and all of the other draft and background information we've reported here on DK Pittsburgh Sports throughout the draft cycle.
WHAT I'M HEARING
• The first round is wide open ...
Unlike last year when defensive tackle was the obvious position of choice, things are much more unpredictable this year for the Steelers. Wide receiver is a clear option. Even if they don't take one in the first round, they will take at least one on Day 2 of the draft. The Steelers have done a lot of work on wide receivers, and with both USC's Makai Lemon and Washington's Denzel Boston earning formal Combine interviews and pre-draft visits, they could be first-round options.
But, there are other positions at play. Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane is the only true guard that could go in the first round, and the Steelers landing him would not only be a dream but also a heist. However, offensive tackle shouldn't be ruled out, either. There are a few players that are coming out of college as tackles that could get a clear shot at left tackle if the worst happens with Broderick Jones' injury, but some of those players such as Alabama's Kadyn Proctor, Utah's Spencer Fano and Arizona State's Max Iheanachor could make a move to guard, as well.
Then, this is a rich class for defensive backs, so I wouldn't rule out Oregon's Dillon Thieneman if he were to fall to 21st overall. In fact, defensive back isn't being talked about enough with the Steelers. With 12 picks at their disposal, regardless of how they're used, there could easily be multiple defensive backs taken.
• Let's talk about quarterback ...
The Steelers like Alabama's Ty Simpson more than I expected them to, but I don't think they like him enough to consider him at 21st overall. I don't only say that because Art Rooney II told WTAE-TV this week that they "probably" won't take a quarterback in the first round, but my sources have confirmed what I heard at the Combine: They like him, just not enough to be a surefire first-round pick.
I have it on good authority that the Steelers' meetings at the Combine with Penn State's Drew Allar and Miami (FL)'s Carson Beck went well. And then, the team followed up with both players in pre-draft visits out of genuine interest, not just because both players have injuries in their history, more alarming being Beck's 2024 UCL surgery. The most likely time for the Steelers to take a swing on a quarterback is in the third round. And, based on who projects to be available and who they like, I believe either Allar or Beck are most likely to be drafted by the Steelers.
• Will the Steelers trade up?
The initial plan on the inside was to not trade up in the first round for a non-quarterback. But, with the way general managers are calling each other prior to the draft this year, mainly because of there being two less minutes to make picks now, there is expected to be more action than normal. Thus, the Steelers have to adjust. I still don't believe a trade up is probable, but it's certainly not out of the question. One potential trade up could be leap-frogging the Jets to get to 15th overall and take a wide receiver, perhaps Lemon, who likely won't last until 21st overall.
Day 2 is another distinct possibility for trading up, especially with the three third-round picks the Steelers have at their disposal. The second round is the place to be in this draft, so using a couple of those third-round picks to get another pick in the second round could also be a possibility.
• Will the Steelers trade Alex Highsmith?
Omar Khan is fielding calls on Highsmith. But, that's what GMs do. They get calls about players. The better question is how much legitimate interest is there for Khan to deal Highsmith?
This is the best way for me to put it: When I reached out to sources about the possibility of the Steelers trading Jalen Ramsey and Patrick Queen, I was told definitively that the team had no interest in parting ways with either player. Regarding Highsmith, while I was told the team is not actively shopping him, I also was not told the same definitive answer that they have no interest in trading him. Thus, I'm led to believe there's a possibility of Highsmith being moved, perhaps during the draft. I still believe Highsmith will most likely be a Steeler in 2026, but I'm not 100% convinced of it, either. It's definitely something to monitor throughout the draft.
• Setting up for 2027 ain't so easy ...
Ideally, Khan wanted to use some of his 12 draft picks to acquire capital in the 2027 NFL Draft, when the quarterback class is expected to be much better. However, in speaking with several sources on other teams during the NFL Annual Meeting in Phoenix, the overall feeling is teams that have extra capital in 2027 don't want to give it away, mainly because of the expectation for the class of quarterbacks. Thus, Khan will try to add a pick or two in 2027. But, finding a trading partner to do so will prove to be more difficult than initially expected.
THE TOP 21
When the Steelers build their board for the first round, they'll build it based on the top players leading up to their pick. This year, since they're picking 21st overall, they've built a Top-21 board, but specific to the Steelers. This isn't just the top 21 players in the draft. And in their top 21, Khan, Mike McCarthy, Andy Weidl, Rooney and other decision makers treat each slot as if they were picking there. So, the No. 1 player on the board is who they would select if they were picking first overall in the draft. The No. 2 player is who they would pick if they were picking second overall and the No. 1 player was off the board. And, so on.
This means certain players won't be on this list, despite being high on league-wide draft boards. A great example is edge rusher. This is a great class at the position. But, not only do the Steelers not need one, they have a surplus. So, I have just one on this list.
2026 NFL DRAFT BIG BOARD
1. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
2. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
3. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
4. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
5. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
6. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
7. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
8. Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
9. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
10. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
11. Makai Lemon, WR, USC
12. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
13. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
14. Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
15. KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
16. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
17. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
18. Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
19. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
20. Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
21. Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
As for everything else regarding the NFL Draft, here's what you need to know and how it relates to the Steelers:
THE DRAFT
• Round 1: Thursday, 8 p.m.
• Rounds 2-3: Friday, 7 p.m.
• Rounds 4-7: Saturday, 12 p.m.
• Where: Pittsburgh
• TV: ESPN, NFL Network, WTAE-TV (local only)
• Radio: Steelers Nation Radio
• Streaming: NFL+, Disney+, Hulu
• Draft Tracker: NFL.com, PFF
STEELERS' PICKS
• Round 1, 21st overall
• Round 2, 53rd overall
• Round 3, 76th overall (via Dallas - George Pickens trade)
• Round 3, 85th overall
• Round 3, 99th overall (compensatory pick)
• Round 4, 121st overall
• Round 4, 135th overall (compensatory pick)
• Round 5, 161st overall
• Round 6, 216th overall (compensatory pick)
• Round 7, 224th overall (via New England - Kyle Dugger trade)
• Round 7, 230th overall (via Indianapolis - Michael Pittman Jr. trade)
• Round 7, 237th overall
DRAFT WEEK CONTENT
• DK: We didn't need the NFL Draft here, but hey!
• Rodgers or not, quarterback's a draft focus
• Live Shot: Wide receivers
• Live Shot: Quarterbacks
• Live Shot: Offensive line
• Live Shot: Defensive backs -- and a couple mock drafts!
• Live Shot: When is enough finally enough?
• Live Shot: NFL Draft talk with Matt Williamson
COMBINE FORMAL INTERVIEWS
• Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
• Carson Beck, QB, Miami (FL)
• Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
• Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
• Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
• Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
• KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
• Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
• Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
• Makai Lemon, WR, USC
• Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
• De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss
• Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
• Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
• Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
• Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M
• Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon
• Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
• Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
• Rayshaun Benny, DT, Michigan
• Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State
• Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
• C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia
• Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
• Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
• Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
• Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
• Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
• Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
• D'Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
• Keionte Scott, CB, Miami (FL)
• Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
• Bud Clark, S, TCU
• Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
• Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
PRE-DRAFT VISITS
• Drew Allar, QB, Penn State (April 15)
• Carson Beck, QB, Miami (FL) (March 17)
• Taylen Green, QB, Arkansas (April 13)
• Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State (March 20)
• Skyler Bell, WR, UConn (April 8)
• Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama (April 13)
• Denzel Boston, WR, Washington (April 7)
• Jeff Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati (March 16)
• Kendrick Law, WR, Kentucky (March 16)
• Makai Lemon, WR, USC (April 9)
• *Khalil Dinkins, TE, Penn State (March 5)
• Will Kacmarek, TE, Ohio State (Arpil 14)
• Martin Klein, TE, Michigan (April 9)
• Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State (April 14)
• Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech (March 20)
• Beau Stephens, G, Iowa (April 14)
• Markel Bell, OT, Miami (FL) (March 6)
• Travis Burke, OT, Memphis (April 10)
• Spencer Fano, OT, Utah (April 13)
• Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State (April 7)
• James Thompson, DT, Illinois (March 19)
• *Jaden Dugger, LB, Louisiana-Lafayette (April 7)
• *Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh (March 19)
• Jack Kelly, LB, BYU (April 8)
• Harold Perkins, LB, LSU (April 10)
• Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech (March 20)
• Tacario Davis, CB, Washington (March 20)
• Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State (March 17)
• Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas (April 10)
• Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo (April 9)
• Ephesians Prysock, DB, Washington (March 5)
• Treydan Stukes, DB, Arizona (April 15)
• Jakobe Thomas, DB, Miami (FL) (April 8)
* - local visit, does not count toward 30 allotted visits
PLAYERS ATTENDING FIRST ROUND
• David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
• Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)
• Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
• Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
• Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
• Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
• Makai Lemon, WR, USC
• Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
• Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
• Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
• Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
• Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
• Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
• Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
• Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
• Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
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