We are still over seven months away from the 2026 NFL draft kicking off in late April, but there are plenty of hints at who the Pittsburgh Steelers will target. Everyone who follows the team closely should know by now that they will do their best to draft the successor to Aaron Rodgers fairly early. That is a safe bet, but the organization cannot make a mistake like it did with Kenny Pickett.
If they force their hand and cement themselves into trading up for a quarterback class that has mostly underwhelmed this season, it could lead to disaster.
Locating a franchise signal caller is never easy, but biting into the temptation of the quarterback rolodex is alluring. This mock draft shows the Steelers must be careful about pushing the envelope for a quarterback, unless they fall in love with one.
Pittsburgh Steelers mock draft locates a succession plan in place for QB Aaron Rodgers
Steelers Mock Draft Round 1: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The first round of the mock draft rolls on, and despite some options to trade up, Pittsburgh has to sit on its hands due to outlandish prices. The secondary needs some youth, and that's why the Steelers take Mansoor Delane. He has produced strong numbers at Virginia Tech and LSU during his collegiate career, and Delane's prototypical size will make him a first-rounder.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 2: Olaivavega Ione, OG, Penn State
Don't be shocked if he rises draft boards throughout the process, but Olaivavega Ione is going slightly under the radar since Penn State is a dumpster fire this season.
Ione is one of their few bright spots, and he will be a fantastic plug-and-play career starter for his new team. Isaac Seumalo is a pending free agent, and the Steelers must keep up their investment in the trenches.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 3 (via Dallas): Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
This is the pick that the Steelers got from Dallas in exchange for George Pickens, which the team used on Chris Bell. He has terrific size for a playmaker, and he continues to show his explosiveness at Louisville. Although the Cardinals’ campaign has been inconsistent, Bell has remained a standout. He is producing his best season yet and should translate well to the NFL.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 3: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
Everyone was wondering when a quarterback would enter this mock draft, and the wait ends here with Drew Allar.
You couldn't have written a worse season for Allar, who saw his program crumble and his season end due to an ankle injury. He shows some Ben Roethlisberger-like traits, but he’ll need significant coaching at the next level to have a chance to succeed. He should be labeled as a boom or bust prospect at the quarterback position.
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Steelers Mock Draft Round 3 (Compensatory): Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
The loss of Dan Moore Jr. in last year's free agency pays off with a third-round compensatory pick. They use that on investing in an offensive tackle, Trevor Goosby. He’s a young player in the trenches with experience on both sides of the line. Goosby could become a moldable depth piece who can be a swing tackle to start his career and potentially take over if a starter leaves.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 4: Isaac Smith, S, Mississippi State
One thing that hasn't been consistent enough for the Steelers' defense is their physicality. They could use some young blood in the secondary, and that includes the safety position, which has been devastated by injuries this season. Isaac Smith isn't afraid to throw his head into the fire and attack. He has a ton of starting experience, and Smith could help fix this tumultuous secondary.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 4 (Compensatory): Albert Regis, DT, Texas A&M
This is the compensatory pick that Pittsburgh will likely receive for the loss of Justin Fields. They use that selection on Albert Regis to maintain and strengthen their talent in the trenches. Regis is a perfect mold of a defensive lineman for the Steelers coming out of college. He is producing his strongest season yet, and it could shove him up draft boards in the near future.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 5: Drayk Bowen, LB, Notre Dame
Cole Holcomb is probably gone after this season, and the Steelers could always use depth at inside linebacker. Drayk Bowen is a perfect player for them late in this mock draft. He has extensive college special teams experience and provides reliable tackling.
Bowen is also a baseball player, a trait the Steelers typically value in their prospects.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 5 (Compensatory): Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia
As long as Arthur Smith is the offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh, they will keep their tight ends on the roster. Oscar Delp could help replace Connor Heyward if the Steelers let him leave in free agency. Delp is a better receiver than he is a blocker. He possesses unbelievable athletic ability for his size. Pittsburgh would add another big target to its arsenal by drafting Delp.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 6: Jermaine Mathews Jr., CB, Ohio State
Darius Slay continues to show that aging cornerbacks can be ruined much sooner rather than later. The Steelers must consider taking a cornerback or more in the draft, and in this case, they took two in this mock draft. Jermaine Mathew Jr. comes from Ohio State. He is a versatile defensive back for Ohio State, lining up on the outside, in the slot, and at safety.
Steelers Mock Draft Round 7: Pat Coogan, OC, Indiana
He has played both guard and center at the college level, and Pat Coogan has the mold of a Steelers lineman.
Coogan has position versatility and could develop into a solid backup player along the interior of the trenches. Pittsburgh could use some new faces in the mix, especially with Seumalo potentially leaving and competition needed for Ryan McCullum and others.