Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan did everything in his power to ensure that his team's roster holes were covered in free agency. Khan aggressively added cornerback Jamel Dean while trading for wide receiver Michael Pittman.
Meanwhile, the additions of running back Rico Dowdle, defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day, safety Jaquan Brisker, and guard Brock Hoffman ensure that the Steelers have all of their biggest holes covered—allowing for ample flexibility on each day of the 2026 NFL Draft.
But maybe there's a deeper plan in place.
With essentially all of the roster holes filled with at least stop-gap-level starters, the Steelers could be poised to take their big quarterback swing this year. This is the direction I have Khan and the front office going in my latest five-round Steelers mock draft.
The Pittsburgh Steelers take bold QB swing early in this 5-round mock draft
Round 1 | Pick 21: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
This isn't a great quarterback class by most NFL Draft expert standards. However, recent comments from NFL insider Adam Schefter suggest that Ty Simpson is a lock to go in the first round this April. Meanwhile, the Steelers are one of the few teams in the back half of the first round who could take this QB swing, as the value starts to align with the need.
Simpson will hardly be the best player on the board when Pittsburgh is on the clock at pick No. 21, but teams are often forced to take a risk when it comes to finding quarterback talent. The Alabama product comes with his share of concerns, including just one full year of starting experience and a decline in performance late in the 2025 season.
Still, this is a predictive mock, and Simpson could be a fit in Mike McCarthy's offense. Though his 6'1 1/8'', 211-pound frame is less than ideal, Simpson can stand tough in the pocket and extend the play when needed. He could essentially redshirt as a rookie before becoming the team's starting QB in 2027.
Round 2 | Pick 53: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
If the Steelers don't get their wide receiver in Round 1, you can bet that this position will be high on their radar in Round 2. With three third-round picks this year, it's entirely possible that Khan could trade up and secure one of the top six or seven receivers in the class this year.
In this five-round mock draft, however, I have the Steelers standing pat at pick No. 53 and taking Zachariah Branch. The Georgia product is severely undersized (5'8 5/8'', 177 pounds), but Pittsburgh needs a slot receiver, and Branch is the most electrifying receiver in the class when the ball is in his hands.
Meanwhile, the Steelers met with Branch at his Georgia Pro Day. Branch is small, but his skill set would work in tandem with DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. on the outside.
Round 3 | Pick 76 (via DAL): Keylan Rutledge, OG, Georgia Tech
The addition of Brock Hoffman, a quality stop-gap starter, makes the Steelers' need at guard a bit less pressing. Hoffman has been excellent when called upon for the Dallas Cowboys over the past three seasons, and there's a reason Mike McCarthy brought him in.
Having said that, the Steelers will want to find a long-term starter to go with Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick on the interior offensive line. There's no guarantee that Keylan Rutledge will be that player, but Rutledge has the prototype size and traits to be an NFL starting guard.
Rutledge could compete with Hoffman from the gate for a starting role. If he loses out, he could be a swing interior offensive lineman in year one and earn a starting job at left guard by his second NFL season.
Round 3 | Pick 85: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
The Pittsburgh Steelers appear content to move forward with Patrick Queen for the final season of his contract, despite his pricey $17.19 million cap number. Regardless of whether Queen is on the roster this year, the team still needs a long-term linebacker to pair with Payton Wilson—preferably one whose specialty is stopping the run.
Jake Golday is likely to be off the board by this point, but he's still available in this mock. Golday uses his 6'4 1/2, 240-pound frame to sift through traffic and make plays near the line of scrimmage. As a rookie, he could carve out a role on special teams and earn early-down work before stepping into a massive role by his second NFL season.
Round 3 | Pick 99 (comp.): Tacario Davis, CB, Washington
While the Steelers could ideally use a nickel cornerback who can cover the slot, the team has expressed interest in both Washington cornerbacks—Tacario Davis and Ephesians Prysock—who stand at over 6'3'' and 190-plus pounds with over 33-inch arms.
In this mock draft, I have the Steelers going with Davis with their compensatory third-round pick. The team is reportedly bringing in Davis for a pre-draft visit, per Brian Batko of Post-Gazette Sports. Davis's size and athletic traits make him a carbon copy of Joey Porter Jr., though Davis is a lesser prospect coming out of college and needs refinement.
Round 4 | Pick 121: Markel Bell, OT, Miami
Steelers fans were surprised to learn that the team held a pre-draft visit with Miami offensive tackle Markel Bell. At 6'9 1/4'' and 346 pounds with 36 /38'' arms, Bell is much bigger than tackles Pittsburgh has targeted in the past, and Bell will instantly be one of the largest players in the NFL immediately following the 2026 NFL Draft.
But given this interest, it makes sense for Pittsburgh to add depth and talent at the position in Round 4. Bell could work to begin his career on the 53-man roster, competing for the role as a backup swing tackle.
Round 5 | Pick 135: James Thompson Jr., DL, Illinois
This feels rich for a player like James Thompson Jr. The Illinois product was a six-year player in college. Not only will Thompson be a 24-year-old rookie, but he also offered limited college production in five years at Wisconsin and his final season at Illinois.
Regardless, the Steelers have a reputation for falling in love with defensive linemen who have height on their side, and Pittsburgh used a valuable 30-visit on Thompson. This feels like a player who should be taken at the tail end of the draft, but I have them rounding out their defensive line depth with a player they've had their eye on during the pre-draft process.