The NFL Draft is almost here, and that naturally means that everyone is finalizing their big boards and draft sleepers. The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for what should be an extremely busy day in the Steel City.
While I don’t have the time to do a complete big board, I do want to highlight the offensive players I think would be the best fit for the Steelers.
Let me be clear, these aren’t my favorite players overall. I’m weighing the need Pittsburgh has, as well as where these players are projected to be drafted. As well, their anticipated fit both this year and long-term is also being considered.
The best offensive fits for the Pittsburgh Steelers by position in 2026 NFL Draft
QB: Cole Payton, North Dakota State
This quarterback class is a tricky one to look at. While Fernando Mendoza seems like a lock to be a good pro, behind him is a slew of question marks.
When in a position like this, I believe a team should take a quarterback with a high ceiling, even if the odds of him panning out are slim. Thus, the reason the Steelers should target Cole Payton.
Used mostly as a gadget player before this last season, Payton is a raw player with all the tools to become great. His arm is strong, and his athleticism is off the charts. However, mechanically, his game is flawed.
Mike McCarthy is here to develop quarterbacks, though, and if you can develop Payton, the sky is the limit. At worst, you get a gadget player who can contribute in specific packages. Given his lack of experience, there is a path for him to exceed his draft position.
RB: Chip Trayanum, Toledo
The Steelers don’t need to take a running back early this year. That is a good thing, considering how weak this running back class is. However, a late round flyer makes sense, and no one feels like a better option than Chip Trayanum.
The Toledo running back finally had a breakout year after hopping from school to school in his career. He has great size and good athleticism. He feels like someone who could instantly fit into a rotation as an early down runner and special teams player.
However, his lack of production before is a concern. He never found his footing at any top programs. A team will have to get the most out of him, and I’m willing to take that risk late on Day 3.
WR: Germie Bernard, Alabama
This receiver class is a tough nut to crack. I like a lot of the options, but I don’t love any of them. Specifically in the first round, I’m struggling to find a player I’m pounding the table for.
Instead, I love the fit of Germie Bernard in the second round. Even if it takes a trade-up, Bernard fits what this offense needs. He is a great intermediate option that can play outside and in the slot.
While he lacks the athleticism to be a field stretcher, he can do damage in the short and intermediate game. In time, I think he could be a true target hog for a team. Even if he never becomes a true top receiver, he could become a very valuable second option.
TE: Riley Nowakowski, Indiana
Tight end is a sneaky need for this team, as is fullback. With the loss of Connor Heyward, this team needs someone to fill that void, no matter how small a role that is.
Enter Riley Nowakowski. He proved to be a viable receiving threat last year as well as a hard blocker in space. His size will limit him at the next level, but he could carve out a specific role early on as a safety valve and lead blocker.
He feels like a later draft pick in this class, making his role worth the selection. He also feels like he will excel on special teams, so he fits in as a perfect third tight end for the Steelers' offense.
OT: Jude Bowry, Boston College
I am not firmly in the camp that the Steelers need to take a tackle early. I would prefer a mid-round option to compete with the current room.
Jude Bowry would make a lot of sense. He should go somewhere on day three, so the investment won’t be great. Meanwhile, the Steelers can let their coaching staff work with his traits to see if he can become anything more than depth.
IOL: Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Let me preface this by saying that I’m not including potential position shifts that aren’t set in stone yet. For example, I think Monroe Freeing could make a great guard, but there is a likely chance that he is given a shot at tackle first.
Olaivavega Ioane is no question mark. His ability was on full display at Penn State, and one could argue that he is the most complete interior option in this draft class. Guards tend to get pushed down in the draft, which is the only reason he isn’t a slam-dunk top ten pick.
It feels like Ioane will be a plug-and-play superstar from the get-go. His game is pretty complete, unlike the other guards in this class. It doesn’t get much better than Ioane in terms of guard fits in this draft class.
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