You can bet that Omar Khan and the front office are already formulating their plan of attack for the 2026 NFL Draft. With a dozen selections on the dock, the Pittsburgh Steelers could look to trade up for players they have their sights set on.
Most fans expect Pittsburgh to target their biggest needs early—wide receiver, cornerback, and quarterback are high on the radar for the first few rounds of the draft. But several prospects could cause the Steelers to scrap their draft plans.
Sometimes talent trumps need in the NFL Draft, and if any of these four players were to miraculously slip to pick No. 21, Khan and the Steelers might have no choice but to pounce.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could abandon NFL Draft plans for one of these four elite talents in Round 1
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Sonny Styles isn't just the best off-ball linebacker prospect set to enter the 2026 NFL Draft; he's arguably the best LB prospect we've seen in years. Listed at roughly 6'4'' and 243 pounds with long arms and excellent athletic traits, Styles is an outstanding run defender and wrap-up tackler with plenty of stopping power.
The Ohio State product can disrupt passing lanes thanks to his remarkable frame and terrific athletic traits. Because linebacker isn't a premium position, there's always an off chance (though unlikely) that Styles falls to the No. 21 pick in the first round.
If he does, the Steelers should cancel all other plans to snatch up the 21-year-old future star. Styles would be an excellent pairing with 2024 third-round pick Payton Wilson, and he has the upside to be one of the best linebackers in the league for a long time.
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Like linebacker, safety isn't considered a premium position in the NFL. It's why the Steelers were able to land a player like DeShon Elliott in free agency on a two-year, $6 million deal in 2024. But every once in a while, a generational safety prospect comes along.
Caleb Downs is that guy.
Downs' talent isn't a secret in NFL circles. Thus, the nation's best safety could be snatched up with a top-10 pick this April—regardless of positional value. In the off chance that he slides in the draft, Pittsburgh should waste no time striking on the elite talent.
Downs is a physical, rangy safety who can deal a variety of damage from the box and behind the line of scrimmage. With Kyle Dugger hitting free agency and the possibility of Jalen Ramsey getting released, this could be a sneaky need, and the talent couldn't be better.
Let's be clear: Downs isn't sliding this far. But if he makes it anywhere close to pick 21, his availability should tempt Omar Khan in the worst way.
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Very rarely do I argue that running backs warrant being first-round selections. Even the elite-level prospects (like Ashton Jeanty last season) can struggle in bad situations. However, there is zero question that Jeremiyah Love is one of the best running backs we've seen in years.
As such, Love is likely to be scooped up in the top half of the first round. But all it takes is for a few hyper-focused teams prioritizing 'money five' positions to let him slip past their grasp and fall into the lap of the Steelers.
Though running back isn't a major need and the Steelers could run it back with what they had in 2025, it's worth mentioning that Kenneth Gainwell is an unrestricted free agent who could spurn Pittsburgh for a bigger contract, while Kaleb Johnson doesn't feel like a fit with Mike McCarthy's offense.
I rarely advocate for drafting first-round running backs, but the lethal talent of Love is undeniable. Should he miraculously slip this far in the first round, the Steelers could ignore need and positional value to take one of the best players in the draft.
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
The Pittsburgh Steelers spent two of their previous three first-round picks on offensive tackles. This alone tells you that they won't be willing to dip their toes into the OT pool in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. However, if Francis Mauigoa somehow slips in the draft, this would be too good to pass up.
Mauigoa, a highly-touted offensive tackle prospect out of Miami, is just 20 years old with outstanding traits and terrific pass-block ability. Mauigoa is widely considered the best tackle in the class, so there's almost no chance he makes it this far, but this would be an 'A+' selection.
The Steelers hope they have at least one future OT in place with Troy Fautanu. Unfortunately, Broderick Jones has been inconsistent at best, and after suffering a season-ending neck injury late in 2025, his status for the 2026 season (a contract year) is up in the air.
Offensive tackle is a sneaky need, and Mauigoa is the best in the class.