As NFL Draft season ramps up, ESPN’s Field Yates released a new two-round mock draft that offers insight into the direction of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Yates projects the first two rounds of the upcoming draft and clearly sees them prioritizing offense early. His mock has the Steelers focusing on filling key vacancies, particularly along the offensive line and at wide receiver.
The Steelers currently hold 12 selections in the upcoming draft, a total that could open the door for potential trades.
In this mock draft, however, Yates has Pittsburgh staying put with its picks at 21 and 53 overall. As the board breaks favorably for the Steelers, Yates projects them to select a powerful guard in the first round. The second round is where the draft takes an intriguing turn, as he has Pittsburgh addressing wide receiver with a prospect who may not be familiar to many fans.
Pittsburgh Steelers address multiple pressing needs in ESPN's latest mock draft
Round 1: Olaivavega Ione, OG, Penn State
After missing out on the top wide receivers in this mock draft, Pittsburgh stays patient.
That approach pays off as the top guard on the board falls into their range. Olaivavega Ione is widely viewed as the best player at his position in the 2026 NFL Draft and could provide immediate help for the Steelers. Following the loss of Isaac Seumalo in free agency, it is clear that Pittsburgh plans to address this need primarily through the draft.
"The clear-cut best guard in the draft is Ioane, who also happens to fill the Steelers' biggest need other than QB," Yates explained.
Pittsburgh does have Spencer Anderson on the roster to compete for the open left guard spot, and the team recently added Brock Hoffman in free agency. Bringing in Hoffman while retaining Anderson helps ease some of the urgency heading into the draft. Even so, the Steelers would be wise to address the trenches early. Ione would be an excellent option to help stabilize the offensive line.
Prospects available: Omar Cooper Jr. (WR), Caleb Lomu (OT), Denzel Boston (WR), KC Concepcion (WR)
When it comes to the prospects still available when the Steelers made their pick, they could've went in a variety of directions. Some top receivers were still on the board, and they remain potential options in the first round. An offensive tackle might not be high on many boards for Pittsburgh, most mock drafts should consider them because of the unstable future of Broderick Jones.
Round 2: Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State
This is where Yates’ mock draft takes an interesting turn, as few projections have linked Brenen Thompson to the Steelers in the second round.
On ESPN’s big board, Thompson is ranked as the 24th wide receiver and the 158th overall prospect in the draft. If Pittsburgh were to follow Yates’ projection and select the Mississippi State product with its second-round pick, the move would likely be viewed as a significant reach.
"Thompson ran the fastest 40-yard dash at the combine (4.26 seconds) and led the SEC in receiving yards this past season (1,054)." Yates continued, "He can consistently get separation downfield, which will translate well to the next level."
Selecting Thompson this early would be a bold move, though he is a talented weapon capable of contributing to any offense. He brings elite speed and was among the most productive receivers in college football. However, his fit within the Steelers’ offensive scheme could be challenging. While adding a vertical threat is appealing on paper, Pittsburgh has not consistently relied on that style.
Prospects available: Gennings Dunker (OL), Jacob Rodriguez (LB), Germie Bernard (WR), Kyle Louis (LB)
There was still a significant amount of talent available that would have made more sense for the Steelers with their second-round selection at this point in the mock draft. Jacob Rodriguez is one option who fills a positional need and is a player Pittsburgh hosted on a pre-draft visit. Germie Bernard is another intriguing alternative, offering explosiveness and strong production in the SEC.