The 2026 NFL Draft is here, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have no shortage of draft capital to work with. After loading up on talent during free agency, general manager Omar Khan and the front office will look to work their magic to land an impressive draft haul that not only aids the Steelers' success in 2026 but also bolsters the roster for the future.
The Steelers have the draft ammunition to trade up, and with minimal glaring roster holes, Khan has the flexibility to prioritize value selections over positional needs at certain stages of the draft.
Draft weekend is guaranteed to be a wild ride, and we've got you covered. We'll keep fans updated with each Steelers pick and rival selections as well as the latest comments from NFL Draft experts and a breakdown of the best remaining players on the board as the draft rolls on.
- Steelers draft snapshot
- Best remaining draft targets
- What the experts are saying
- Updated Steelers depth chart
- AFC North rival draft picks
- Draft Pick Tracker
Steelers draft snapshot
- Current draft capital: Picks No. 21, No. 53, No. 76, No. 85, No. 99, No. 121, No. 135, No. 161, No. 216, No. 224, No. 230, No. 237
- Primary needs: Guard, wide receiver, quarterback, safety, offensive tackle, cornerback
- Latest mock selection: Olaivavega Ioane
- Last updated: April 20, 6:00 am ET
The Steelers open the 2026 draft with a dozen selections on hand, including four picks on Day 2 and five selections inside the top 100. With capital like this, the front office could help turn the league's second-oldest roster around quickly.
Pittsburgh's biggest roster hole comes at left guard, after Isaac Seumalo departed in free agency. Depending on whether Aaron Rodgers returns, quarterback is also a glaring need for the Steelers, and based on the full pre-draft visit list, Khan is determined to add another signal-caller to the QB room in the draft.
The Steelers are also hunting for a true No. 1 wide receiver who can be the future go-to target in what's expected to be a pass-happy Mike McCarthy offense. This team also needs depth in the secondary and at offensive tackle.
Best remaining draft targets
Makai Lemon, WR, USC
It's a hope and a prayer to think Makai Lemon will make it to pick No. 21, but stranger things have happened. Lemon, a productive slot receiver at USC, is a nightmare to bring down after the catch, and he's a player the Steelers would be able to pepper with targets.
Lemon is a natural receiver in every sense of the word, and his skill set would be a terrific complement to what Pittsburgh already has on the outside—a pair of 6'4'' receivers in DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. This is a selection that would give the the offense an immediate boost in 2026 while also offering a top target for the future quarterback in Pittsburgh.
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
There is an array of onions on Jordyn Tyson, thanks to his concerning injury history. But when on the field, this might be the best receiver in the class. At 6'2'' and 203 pounds, Tyson has the size Mike McCarthy looks for in a No. 1 wide receiver, and his ability to create separation at the top of his routes is rare for a player his size.
Tyson has inside-out versatility and can be just as effective working the slot as he is on the boundary. The Steelers did not meet with the Arizona State product for a pre-draft visit, but he's one of the premier skill players of the 2026 draft class.
Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
Most Steelers fans would consider Vega Ioane a slam-dunk pick for Pittsburgh in Round 1. Ioane's impressive physical profile and innate anchoring strength make him a high-floor prospect with Pro Bowl ceiling at the next level.
After losing Isaac Seumalo to the Arizona Cardinals in free agency, Ioane would be just what the doctor ordered. He's a plug-and-play guard who will be an interior anchor for any team he winds up with.
Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
Primarily a right tackle at Utah, Spencer Fano has five-position flexibility across the offensive line, thanks to his outstanding feet and athletic physical profile. Fano is coming off his second straight impressive season for the Utes and is considered by many draft experts to be a top-10 player in the class.
For the Steelers, Fano could flip sides and play left tackle or slot in at left guard. If McCarthy and new offensive line coach James Campen wanted to keep him on the right side, they could move 2024 first-rounder Troy Fautanu back to his natural position at left tackle.
Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
The Steelers did not host Monroe Freeling for a pre-draft visit, but Omar Khan and Mike McCarthy were on hand to witness the big offensive tackle at Georgia's Pro Day. Freeling was a fast riser during the pre-draft process, thanks to his incredible combination of size, length, and athletic traits.
Though he has just over one full year of starting experience for the Bulldogs during his college career, he's a young prospect with outstanding upside. With Broderick Jones entering the final year of his contract, Freeling could prove to be the left tackle of the future in Pittsburgh if drafted by the Steelers.
KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
KC Concepcion plays with a chip on his shoulder and recently claimed to be the best wide receiver in this draft class. Though drops have been an issue during his college career at Texas A&M, he has impressive ability both before and after the catch—combining sound route-running with explosion with the ball in his hands.
Concepcion was an electric punt returner in the SEC—a skill that often translates to success at the next level. The 21-year-old would be a terrific complement to the wide receivers the Steelers already have and would instantly be the best separator of the group, which could lead to a big role as a rookie.
Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
The Steelers never brought in Omar Cooper Jr. for a pre-draft visit, but they did meet with the talented wideout at the NFL Combine, and his Indiana connection to current Steelers senior offensive assistant coach Frank Cignetti could be enough to ignore the lack of visible interest during the pre-draft process.
Cooper has a well-rounded blend of size, athletic traits, and natural ability at the wide receiver position, and he's a nightmare to bring down after the catch. McCarthy could make Cooper his starting slot receiver from Day 1, and he could develop into a go-to option for the future quarterback in Pittsburgh.
What the experts are saying
Mel Kiper Jr.'s prediction: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State:
"I'm working off the assumption that Aaron Rodgers will be in black and yellow once more next season, but frankly, No. 21 is too early for Ty Simpson -- or any other QB not named Mendoza -- regardless of what the depth chart looks like on April 23. I think it's more likely Pittsburgh takes a signal-caller on Day 2. Instead, the Steelers can use this pick to beef up the protection in front of their to-be-determined passer. Ioane plays with pure power, wrenching defenders out of the way. But he's also pretty swift on his feet at 6-4 and 320 pounds. He would be an easy swap for Isaac Seumalo, who left in free agency." — Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN
Dane Brugler's prediction: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
"Cooper would be an ideal complement next to DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. in the Steelers offense. With his ball skills and run-after-catch ability, Cooper is dangerous out of the slot as a catch-and-create player." —Dane Brugler, The Athletic
Mike Band's prediction: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
"Pittsburgh can justify going offensive line here, but with Mike McCarthy now shaping the offense and the Steelers still looking for another long-term answer in the receiver room, Boston feels like a logical pivot. He gives them a big, physical outside target who can win through contact and complement DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. without forcing the offense to change its identity." —Mike Band, NFL.com
Chat Reuter's prediction: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
"Ioane's massive frame, sturdy pass protection and movement skills in the run game make him a perfect fit to replace departed free agent Isaac Seumalo as the Steelers' starting left guard." —Chad Reuter, NFL.com
Updated Steelers depth chart
Offense
- QB: Mason Rudolph, Will Howard
- RB: Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Kaleb Johnson
- WR: DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek, A.T. Perry
- TE: Darnell Washington, Pat Freiermuth, JJ Galbreath
- OL: Zach Frazier, Troy Fautanu, Broderick Jones, Mason McCormick, Dylan Cook, Brock Hoffman, Jack Driscoll, Ryan McCollum, Steven Jones
The Steelers have the groundworks for a young core on the offensive line, but they could desperately use an upgrade at guard and depth at tackle and in the interior O-line. This is one of the biggest needs on the roster.
Wide receiver is also a significant need despite notable names like DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. These two veterans took a step back in their careers in 2025, and the Steelers need more twitch and separation at the position. Roman Wilson hasn't panned out, and wide receiver will be a need for Pittsburgh early in the draft.
Defense
- IDL: Cameron Heyward, Derrick Harmon, Keeanu Benton, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Yahya Black, Esezi Otomewo
- EDGE: T.J. Watt. Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer
- LB: Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Malik Harrison, Cole Holcomb, Carson Bruener
- CB: Joey Porter Jr., Jamel Dean, Asante Samuel Jr., Brandin Echols, Cory Trice Jr., Donte Kent
- S: Jalen Ramsey, DeShon Elliott, Jaquan Brisker, Darnell Savage, Sebastian Castro
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a solidified edge rusher room without much room to add to this group, but the front office could add one more piece to the interior defensive line during the NFL Draft. Khan could also add an off-ball linebacker who could come in and compete for a role on defense, as the Steelers' linebackers struggled both against the run and the pass last season.
Meanwhile, this team needs an infusion of youth and speed in the secondary—both at cornerback and safety. The addition of Jamel Dean gives the cornerback room added physicality and experience, but the team lacks long-term options in the secondary outside of Joey Porter Jr.
AFC North rival draft picks
Baltimore Ravens: No. 14, No. 45, No., 80, No. 115, No. 154, No. 162, No. 173, No. 174, No. 211, No. 250, No. 253
Cincinnati Bengals: No. 10, No. 41, No. 72, No. 110, No. 189, No. 199, No. 221, No. 226
Cleveland Browns: No. 6, No. 24, No. 39, No. 70, No. 107, No. 146, No. 149, No. 206, No. 248
Draft Pick Tracker
Pick | Player |
|---|---|
21 | |
53 | |
76 | |
85 | |
99 | |
121 | |
135 | |
161 | |
216 | |
224 | |
230 | |
237 |
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