Throughout the lead-up to the 2026 NFL Draft, the majority of media and draft analysts have described this year's class as lacking top-end talent, if not outright calling it a "bad" class. While I tend to believe it's a fine, if unspectacular, group of prospects, what if the Pittsburgh Steelers also view this class as sub-par?
Picking at No. 21 overall puts them in a potentially tricky situation. The talent on the board may not entice them very much, at least not much more than the talent that could be had 15-20 picks later. If the top receivers and the majority of the best offensive linemen are picked ahead of them, could it be best to move back? Or, maybe even more likely, could they look to add 2027 picks to help set themselves up for a big move up for a quarterback next year?
In my latest 4-round mock draft, I do exactly that. Instead of trading up to try and land a Makai Lemon or Jordyn Tyson, the Steelers go all-in on preparing for an opportunity to land their future franchise QB in 2027.
The Pittsburgh Steelers punt on the 2026 first round in bold 4-round NFL mock draft
Steelers trade down with Cardinals to pick up key 2027 draft pick
In our first trade, the Steelers watch the top receivers all come off the board by the time they pick at 21. However, top guard prospect Olaivavega Ioane is still on the board, and a surprise team comes calling once the Steelers alert teams that they are open for business.
The Arizona Cardinals took Jeremiyah Love in my simulation, and they now look to move up for a potential All-Pro mauler to make sure he returns value on the No. 3 pick. Pittsburgh moves down 13 spots to 34, but picks up a potential top-40 pick in 2027 to do so.
Steelers move down a second time, this time with a team looking to make back-to back picks
Another one! This time, it's the New York Jets who look to move up from 44, hoping to make another pick directly after taking Washington receiver Denzel Boston at 33. Tennessee corner Colton Hood was still on board, and he is a perfect fit for Aaron Glenn's man-heavy scheme.
Pittsburgh is happy to move down yet again, picking up the Jets' pick at 140, as well as a 2027 third-round pick to fall 10 more spots. Don't worry, this is the last trade of this mock.
Round 2 | Pick 44 (via Jets): Caleb Banks, IDL, Florida
Another big surprise here, but stay with me for a second. Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks is one of the hardest evaluations in the entire class, largely due to his extensive injury history. He has now had multiple foot injuries as a nearly 330-pound man, and that is understandably causing his stock to fall as the draft draws near.
The Steelers are the team to take the leap in this mock, and it shouldn't be too surprising. They have taken chances on other players with medical red flags in recent years, like Darnell Washington and Payton Wilson. If Pittsburgh believes that Banks has the talent to replace Cameron Heyward long-term, they could be willing to look past his concerns and take him if they were to trade down.
Round 2 | Pick 53: Keylan Rutledge, OG, Georgia Tech
The Steelers stick with the trenches with their next pick, now moving to the void left behind by Isaac Seumalo. Georgia Tech's Keylan Rutledge has gotten plenty of buzz in recent weeks, even making it into ESPN analyst Peter Schraeger's first mock draft at pick 31 to the Patriots. In my mock, he goes 53 to Pittsburgh.
While I personally have a third-round grade on Rutledge, it's easy to see the appeal. He is a powerful, mauling guard who should have an immediate impact in the running game. While he tested well, I question whether he can be anything more than average in space and as a pass protector, but he should be a solid starter right away.
Round 3 | Pick 76: Skyler Bell, WR, UConn
If you have been waiting for WR to finally be addressed, you finally get your wish at pick 76 with UConn's Skyler Bell. Bell was one of college football's most productive receivers in 2025, with 101 receptions for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Bell will turn 24 before the start of the 2026 season, so he may have limited upside compared to other receivers in this range of the draft. He should be able to hit the ground running, however, with his speed and route-running ability making him a perfect slot option next to DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr.
Round 3 | Pick 85: Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh
Back to the defensive side of the ball, the Steelers pick the hometown kid in Kyle Louis. Louis starred at Pittsburgh as a dominant cover linebacker, but his role in the NFL could be hard to pin down. At just under 6'0" tall and 223 pounds, playing as a traditional linebacker probably isn't in the cards.
Where he could fit, however, is as a big slot defender akin to Nick Emmanwori or Derwin James. He has the athleticism to make it work, and he would be more than strong enough to play in the box, almost in a safety-style role. Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham would need to get creative, but Louis would bring youthful energy to an older defense.
Round 3 | Pick 99: Markel Bell, OT, Miami
If you are an avid watcher of The Still Curtain Podcast, you may have heard me talk about Miami left tackle Markel Bell. If you haven't, Bell is one of my favorite prospects in the 2026 class, and it's for a simple reason: you know exactly what you are getting with him.
At a towering 6'9" and 346 pounds, Bell is a giant even in comparison to most other NFL tackles. That size makes getting around him in pass protection a major effort, and he moves well enough at that size to protect his inside shoulder better than most oversized linemen. With major questions at left tackle heading into 2026, Bell could end up being a starter by the end of his rookie season if he lands in Pittsburgh.
Round 4 | Pick 121: Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington
It only takes one long look at Washington cornerback Ephesians Prysock to see why the Steelers brought him in as one of their 30 pre-draft visits. Standing at over 6'3" and 196 pounds, Prysock has the exact profile that Pittsburgh has coveted since Omar Khan took over as general manager in 2023.
His combination of speed, length, and physicality makes him the perfect prospect to develop behind Joey Porter Jr. and Jamel Dean. With any luck, he could be ready to step in as early as 2027 if Dean regresses as he closes in on age 30.
Round 4 | Pick 135: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
Full disclosure: I am not a fan of Penn State QB Drew Allar in the slightest. However, he is the type of prospect I expect the Steelers to draft this year if they are going to add a QB at all, and 135 is late enough in the draft for me to stomach the idea.
It's not that Allar isn't talented. He is a tall, well-built passer with a plus arm and solid mobility for his size. The problem, however, is that he is as inconsistent as it comes in terms of accuracy and decision-making. If he were able to sit and learn for a year or two under head coach Mike McCarthy, perhaps he could become something. For now, though, this pick is all about aiming for upside.
Round 4 | Pick 140 (via Jets): Kevin Coleman Jr., WR, Missouri
To finish off this mock, the Steelers double-dip at receiver with Missouri standout Kevin Coleman Jr. Coleman Jr. is a true slot-only weapon who showed the toughness and route-running ability to survive in the NFL, despite being just 5'10" and 178 pounds.
Coleman Jr. would compete with 2024 third-round pick Roman Wilson for the No. 4 receiver spot as a rookie in this scenario, with Skyler Bell already added in this mock. He could even potentially push Bell for the starting slot role, as Bell played mostly on the outside in college.
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