In the post-Mike Tomlin era, we can expect the Pittsburgh Steelers to do some things differently when it comes to the NFL Draft process. New head coach Mike McCarthy was hardly spotted on the pre-draft scouting trail with general manager Omar Khan, and the team could place an emphasis on certain positions or traits that Tomlin didn't.
But one thing that won't change is how much the Steelers value strong NFL family ties.
We've already witnessed this in the team's 30 visits and prospect meetings during the pre-draft process. My latest three-round Steelers mock draft feeds into Pittsburgh's lust for securing players with strong NFL ties... and all of these players are firmly on the team's 2026 draft radar.
The Pittsburgh Steelers pursue strong NFL ties in this three-round mock draft
Round 1 | Pick 21: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Cornerback is hardly the biggest need on the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2026 roster, but there's no denying they've shown interest in the position—even after the addition of Jamel Dean in free agency. Avieon Terrell doesn't have elite size, and his questionable timed speed at his Clemson Pro Day will raise some concerns. However, he's impressive on tape.
Terrell's brother, NFL cornerback and 202nd-round pick, AJ Terrell. Avieon isn't as big, and though he was primarily a boundary cornerback in college, he has some experience from the slot. Terrell's physicality and impressive ability to dislodge the football could make him an ideal nickel CB, to go with Dean and Joey Porter Jr. on the outside.
Round 2 | Pick 53: Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech
Okay, so Keylan Rutledge doesn't have any hidden NFL family bloodlines that we know of. But the Steelers are almost certain to address the offensive line with one of their first two or three picks, and Rutledge makes sense.
The Georgia Tech prospect is coming off a quality 2025 season, and he possesses a quality size and athletic profile at guard. He could compete with newcomer Brock Hoffman for the starting left guard role in 2026.
Round 3 | Pick 76 (via DAL): Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri
Not only was Josiah Trotter's dad (Jeremiah Trotter) a four-time Pro Bowl and one-time First-Team All-Pro linebacker in the NFL, but his brother (Jeremiah Trotter Jr.) was a fifth-round pick of the Eagles and linebacker out of Clemson from the 2024 NFL Draft.
Josiah is just like his dad and brother in that he lives for coming downhill, shedding blocks, and punishing ball-carriers in the hole. The Steelers don't have a major need at linebacker at the moment, but this would give the team the flexibility to move on from veteran Malik Harrison.
Trotter could serve as an early down linebacker with run-stopping ability, much like former Steelers linebackers Vince Williams and Elandon Roberts.
Round 3 | Pick 85: Darrell Jackson Jr., DL, Florida State
Darrell Jackson Jr. has two traits working in his favor to be a Pittsburgh Steeler after the 2026 NFL Draft—he has an exceptional size profile that Pittsburgh covets on the defensive line, and he's the son of a former NFL wide receiver.
Darrell Jackson, the father, was a nine-year NFL vet and a former third-round pick who played mostly for the Seattle Seahawks, racking up 7,132 receiving yards and 51 touchdowns in his career. His impressive NFL career certainly isn't going to hurt Jackson Jr.'s chances of landing in Pittsburgh.
Meanwhile, Jackson Jr. measured in at the NFL Combine at 6'5 5/8'' and 315 pounds with 34 3/4'' arms, a massive 86'' wingspan, and enormous 11'' hands. This is what a Steelers 3-4 base defensive end would look like if they could build one from scratch.
Round 3 | Pick 99 (comp.): Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
You wouldn't know it by simply looking at Garrett Nussmeier's underwhelming quarterback frame, but his father, Doug Nussmeier, is a former NFL quarterback and fourth-round draft pick of the New Orleans Saints in the 1994 NFL Draft. This connection alone would be enough for a QB-needy team like the Steelers to consider Garrett, but there's more.
Garrett's father was an assistant coach under Mike McCarthy in Dallas, serving as the team's quarterback coach from 2020 through 2022. McCarthy is already familiar with Garrett as a player and a person, so this connection could be more than enough to get Nussmeier drafted by the Steelers.
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