The 2026 NFL draft is still over two months away from beginning, but the Pittsburgh Steelers are undoubtedly already deep into their preparation for the event. Not only is the draft coming to the Steel City this year, but this will be the first draft with new head coach Mike McCarthy influencing the process.
The offense is likely to be a bigger focus of their efforts both in free agency and the draft, as McCarthy will need a lot more talent on that side of the ball if he wants to finally turn things around. The Steelers struggles offensively have limited their ceiling for far too long, and this could be the year that they can start to fix things.
While the offense takes center stage in this mock draft, the defense gets key reinforcements as well that could make all the difference.
Pittsburgh Steelers 3-round mock draft aims to solve their biggest issues early
Pick 21: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
With their first pick, wide receiver has been the most common direction most mock drafts have gone in, and that doesn't change here. Denzel Boston was considered as well, but I am a big fan of what Texas A&M's KC Concepcion brings to the table. His elite explosiveness and ability to separate would pair perfectly with DK Metcalf's run-after-catch ability and deep threat prowess.
Concepcion reminds me of former Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who didn't turn into the player he became until leaving Pittsburgh. The hope is that Concepcion could give them what Sanders could have over a decade ago and be the focal point of McCarthy's passing attack.
Pick 53: A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU
LSU's A.J. Haulcy looks exactly like the kind of safety that would become a fan favorite in Pittsburgh. He is a big-time hitter at the safety position, with the athleticism to offer more in coverage than your average 220-pound defensive back. He intercepted three passes in 2025 and had 10 total in his college career to go along with over 350 tackles.
With Jalen Ramsey's role up in the air moving forward, adding another safety with versatility would be huge for a secondary lacking premium talent.
Pick 76 (via Dallas): Keylan Rutledge, OG, Georgia Tech
With Isaac Seumalo likely leaving in free agency, the Steelers will need to find a suitable replacement for the veteran stalwart. With the guard market exploding in recent seasons and a lackluster free agent class at the position, the draft may be their best option. Georgia Tech's Keylan Rutledge is a mauling guard with the tenacity and play strength to be an immediate starter.
He isn't as athletic as the rest of the Steelers' offensive line starters, but he is a high-floor prospect who will be helped by playing next to star center Zach Frazier. Fans will quickly love his toughness and ferocious play style if he ends up in Pittsburgh.
Pick 85: Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri
Speaking of toughness and physical playstyle, Josiah Trotter would make an excellent addition to the Steelers linebacker room. Patrick Queen has been a massive disappointment during his two seasons in Pittsburgh, and 2024 third-round pick Payton Wilson took a step back last year. Trotter is the son of former All-Pro linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, and he plays just like his hard-hitting father.
His ability in coverage may never be a strong suit, but he could form a dynamic duo with the explosive Wilson if he can turn things around in 2026. Queen should be an easy cut this offseason, but even if he sticks around, Trotter would be an upgrade over what Cole Holcomb and Malik Harrison offered as depth players in 2025.
Pick 99: Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
With the final selection of this mock, the Steelers double-dip at their most dire need heading into the 2026 offseason. DK Metcalf is the only receiver on the roster currently with any real NFL success, and that can't stay the case in McCarthy's receiver-centric offense.
With Concepcion already in hand, Pittsburgh looks to bring in a physical, contested-catch monster in Notre Dame's Malachi Fields. Fields profiles as a true "X" receiver, someone who can handle press coverage and sky over defenders to make incredible catches. He isn't a separator or overall fluid athlete, but he would free up Concepcion and Metcalf to be the best version of themselves if he can handle being the starting X.