The Pittsburgh Steelers are still waiting for clarity on Aaron Rodgers' situation, and it's worth wondering just how much his decision will impact the team's NFL Draft strategy. Unfortunately, there aren't many quarterback prospects, if any, who the Steelers could even justify taking in the first two rounds.
For the time being, the Steelers may end up targeting a different position even if Rodgers returns, as next year's NFL Draft is projected to be a lot deeper at quarterback. On paper, this team, while solid overall, does lack some talent at a few key positions.
And after diving into a ton of mock drafts, it's clear where many experts have the Steelers going later this month.
Pittsburgh Steelers are seeing a trenches theme play out in this mock draft roundup
Peter Schrager, ESPN - TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
"Alabama's Ty Simpson is still available, but I'm expecting Aaron Rodgers to return to Pittsburgh for another season. On defense, the Steelers started getting younger along the line with the Derrick Harmon pick a year ago, and I wouldn't think they're done there. Parker has played a big role on the Clemson defense since his true freshman season, with 21.5 sacks over his three years there."
Peter Schrager saying that he is expecting Rodgers to return is significant, as Schrager is well-connected, so that could be a big a tell as any that the veteran will give it one more shot. Schrager is mocking TJ Parker to Pittsburgh in Round 1, and while it may seem like a wild pick, it makes a lot of sense.
We just saw a team in the Seattle Seahawks win the Super Bowl with a deep, explosive defensive line, and there is reason to think another addition could be coming. Guys like TJ Watt and Cam Heyward are getting old, not just older, so replacements are going to be needed.
Being stout in the trenches is how games in the NFL are won, so in Schrager's scenario, the quarterback position is settled for another year, and the trenches are (correctly) bolstered.
Rhett Lewis, NFL.com - Vega Ioane, OG, Penn State
"The Steelers have done a nice job drafting and developing their offensive line recently, with three starters (Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick) coming from the 2024 NFL Draft alone. The trend continues as here, as the best guard in this class moves from Happy Valley to the Steel City. "
It's my personal opinion that Vega Ioane is going to be a Pro Bowl-caliber guard and is a can't-miss prospect this year. He's perfectly built for the position and does all the nasty work well. Ioane is a 6-4, 320-pound guard with oven-mitt hands, measuring 10.5 inches.
Ioane definitely leans more into his raw power, so he's not going to excel as a run blocker and might struggle with quicker interior defenders, but the day one starting profile is present, and Pittsburgh could continue its trend of pouring resources into the offensive line.
Field Yates, ESPN - Vega Ioane, OG, Penn State
"The clear-cut best guard in the draft is Ioane, who also happens to fill the Steelers' biggest need other than QB. Isaac Seumalo, who started at left guard in Pittsburgh for the past three seasons, left for the Cardinals in free agency. And I continue to believe that Aaron Rodgers will decide to play one more season with Pittsburgh.
Ioane is a physical, rugged guard who shows crunching power at the point of attack. He was exceedingly reliable at Penn State, meaning he could be a plug-and-play starter for new coach Mike McCarthy. Ioane ranks 14th among my top overall prospects."
Another mock draft with Ioane as the pick, Field Yates gets in on the fun. Isaac Seumalo departed for the Arizona Cardinals this offseason, leaving a gaping hole. Yates also believes that Rodgers comes back for one more season.
Not only would Ioane help Rodgers for 2026, as the veteran isn't the most mobile anymore, but his long-term starting potential also makes him a viable piece on the offensive line for years to come.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports - Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon
"They could possibly take Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson in this spot, but they should wait until next year to get one. Pregnon is a plug-and-play at left guard."
Do you see a theme here? Ioane was off the board in Pete Prisco's mock, so he pivoted to Emmanuel Pregnon, a guard with over 50 collegiate games of experience at USC, Wyoming, and Oregon. Pregnon is a very 'high floor' player with plus-run blocking ability.
Pregnon is probably the next-best guard prospect after Ioane, and he has been seen as a late-first, early-second-round prospect. Pregnon might not be as good a pro as Ioane, but both are going to be decade-plus starters.