With the 2026 NFL draft coming up in less than two weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers are about to be the talk of the NFL world. Not only are they hosting this year's draft, but they own a league-high 12 picks as of writing, with five of them in the top 100.
With that amount of draft assets, they could completely shift the tone of the roster if they hit on their top picks. While there is no truly right or wrong way to go about selecting players, a good rule of thumb is to find elite athletes who at least showed flashes of brilliance during their college careers.
In my latest 3-round mock draft, I did just that. With an emphasis on selecting prospects whose most notable attributes are speed and overall explosiveness, this mock looks to see how the Steelers draft could look if they had one mission: to raise the ceiling of this team for the first time in a long time.
Pittsburgh Steelers 3-round mock draft places athleticism above all else in pursuit of upside
Round 1 | Pick 21: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
I can already hear the reactions from fans if the Steelers made this pick. "A tight end? With Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington on the roster?" Look, I totally get it if that's what you think immediately. Oregon standout Kenyon Sadiq wouldn't really be playing tight end for the Steelers in this situation, however.
With DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. holding down the outside receiver spots, a hole still exists in the slot. Unless the new coaching staff believes Roman Wilson is finally ready to handle a bigger role, Sadiq could be a great fit as the primary slot receiver. His explosive speed (4.39 forty) and versatility to line up in multiple spots would allow the Steelers to have plenty of ways to attack defenses.
Round 2 | Pick 53: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
The Steelers' linebacker room was deep last year, but they didn't exactly live up to expectations. Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. would make for an intriguing long-term replacement for Patrick Queen, who has been a major disappointment since signing with the Steelers.
Hill Jr. is at his best when flying downhill in the run game, using his immense athletic gifts to make plays. Like Queen, he isn't the most instinctive cover player yet, but he is a young player who has plenty of room to grow.
Round 3 | Pick 76: Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma
Even after drafting Derrick Harmon in the first round just a year ago, the Steelers need to keep fortifying their defensive front. Gracen Halton, out of Oklahoma, is one of the most dynamic pass-rushing interior defenders in the 2026 class.
While getting after the quarterback is his specialty, Halton is a better run defender than you would think, given his 6'2", 293-pound frame. He can knife into the backfield and track down running backs, and he fights to stay clean even against bigger blockers. He would be a welcome addition to the Steelers defense.
Round 3 | Pick 85: Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
Pittsburgh signed Jamel Dean this offseason to pair with Joey Porter Jr., but that duo may only last a season or two together, given Dean's age. Texas corner Malik Muhammad saw his stock rise at the NFL Combine, putting up impressive numbers in the forty (4.42) and the vertical (39 inches).
Along with being an explosive athlete, he has long arms that Pittsburgh has coveted recently at the corner spot. He would be a great candidate to learn under Dean and Porter Jr., and he could even compete in the slot right away.
Round 3 | Pick 99: Jude Bowry, OL, Boston College
I couldn't forget about the offensive line in this mock, and you would be hard-pressed to find a better athlete and player this late in the draft than Boston College's Jude Bowry. He is a slightly undersized but uber-explosive tackle prospect who could also be a potential guard at the next level.
The Steelers need more depth along the offensive line, and Bowry could even compete at left guard or even at left tackle, depending on how that battle plays out.