The draft is quickly coming up for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and this team will be flooded with new faces in a very short order. Predictions are all over the place as to what people expect this team to do on draft night.
It’s time to start narrowing some lists down, though.
I’ve spent the better part of the last three months reviewing draft prospects, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of this class. Now, I’ll go position by position and provide the best round that I think this team can target a certain position.
Be on the lookout, as I plan to create a follow-up list of my favorite prospect fits for the Steelers in a future post. And, spoiler, a lot of those names line up in the rounds I’m about to project.
Starting with the offense, here is the best round that the Steelers can target every position.
The best rounds for the Pittsburgh Steelers to target offensive players in the 2026 draft
QB: Round 4
It feels like a certainty that the Steelers will add a quarterback in this draft. The question is when, exactly. They have shown interest in just about every notable name who isn’t projected to go in the first round.
While the third round may be the logical spot to land a more premium name like Garrett Nussmeier, the Steelers rightfully seem more intrigued with the long-shot developmental names like Taylen Green and Cole Payton.
The third round feels rich for them, but using one of their two fourth-round picks is more palatable. The expectation is that he won’t see a snap as a rookie and will instead have the entire year to sit and learn.
I almost went with a later pick, as we saw quarterbacks fall in the last draft, but this team feels like they really want someone of note, so round four is a sweet spot.
RB: Round 7
This running back class isn’t for me, and with the Steelers three deep at the position (even with Kaleb Johnson a bit of a question mark), you don’t need to force yourself into taking anyone earlier than this.
You can get a Swiss army knife in Desmond Reid or Eli Heidenreich, or grab a back with all the potential but lack of production in Chip Trayanum. That said, there aren’t enough sleepers in this class to warrant an earlier pick.
TE: Round 6
I’ll lump fullback in here as well, as I think this is the type of player the Steelers should target. While landing a true traditional third tight end would be fine, having a player who could fill Connor Heyward’s shoes feels more appropriate.
Riley Nowakowski and Max Bredeson stick out as great names in this range. Their size will limit them from being true conventional tight ends, but they can serve as a hybrid there and at full back while also playing on special teams.
WR: Round 1/Round 2
I’ll provide the caveat here that unless one of the top names falls to pick 21, I don’t think it is worth taking a receiver in round one. There are a lot of guys who have traits that you like, but not a lot of guys who look truly elite.
The sweet spot feels like the end of round one and the beginning of round two. That would require the Steelers to either move back or move up in the second round, two moves that I think make sense for the team to make.
There is a range here. KC Concepcion and Omar Cooper would be logical late-round one options. Germie Bernard would likely be a cheaper move-up option in round two.
There is an argument that round three could also fit the bill, but at that point, you are getting players who will need more of a ramp-up before they can be counted on to contribute. Most likely, I think a trade-up in round two makes a lot of sense for a receiver.
OT: Round 4
While the Steelers could take an offensive tackle earlier, it feels like that player will be penciled in to play at guard. For a pure tackle, early day three seems like the sweet spot.
You can still land a good developmental prospect in this range. Someone who can come in and compete on day one, but will more than likely need some time to find their footing. For a team with questions at tackle long term, adding a capable player in this range with the room to grow would be smart.
IOL: Round 1
I am firmly on the offensive line in round one camp, and it isn’t close. While there are plenty of good guards later in the draft, it feels like this team can get a blue-chip prospect if the right player falls to them in the draft.
Olaivavega Ioane is the name everyone runs to and, for good reason. He is within range of being a realistic first-round pick option and is arguably the top lineman in the draft. His position is causing his projected fall.
He isn’t the only name, though. My pipe dream is Monroe Freeling, as I think a conversion to guard could make him an elite player. Kayden Proctor is also an intriguing fit.
You could argue that the offensive line isn’t the biggest need and that you can get a starting-caliber guard later in the draft. Both are true, but this line is lacking a truly dominant player, and I think Pittsburgh can get that in round one this year.