While GM Omar Khan and the Pittsburgh Steelers have continued to build the roster elsewhere, adding a youth-infused playmaker under center continues to look like a position of focus in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Things will certainly change as boards adjust, sources share news, and the college football season concludes, but here are three early names -- on each day of the selection process -- Steelers fans should keep on their radar as the fall progresses.
QB prospects who should be on the Pittsburgh Steelers' radar this fall
Day 1: Carson Beck, Miami
Through three weeks of the 2025 NFL campaign, the Steelers sit at 2-1, a record that slots them into the No. 21 overall spot in the current draft order.
While there’s still plenty of time for things to change, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the long-term solution at quarterback remains a question mark in Pittsburgh as the Aaron Rodgers experiment runs its course.
Beck, who transferred from Georgia to Miami, has taken his steady, pro-style skillset and elevated it on a top-three-ranked Hurricanes roster once again loaded with offensive firepower.
With a smooth release and a strong, accurate arm, he profiles as a quarterback who can thrive in rhythm and timing-based passing offenses. Similar to what Rodgers has done thus far. His ability to diagnose coverages pre-snap, adjust protections, and deliver with anticipation are traits that already mirror what NFL evaluators look for in a franchise passer, and are a few of the traits that had him atop draft boards this time last fall.
For Pittsburgh specifically, the fit is easy to see. Mike Tomlin and his staff have shown a preference for disciplined quarterbacks who can take care of the football, execute within structure, and keep the offense on schedule. Beck is not the twitchiest athlete nor the most dynamic creator in the upcoming class, but he excels at playing within the scheme and distributing to playmakers.
As for why Beck could be available at No. 21, that has more to do with the depth of the 2026 quarterback class and where he currently sits in the minds of NFL evaluators. Early spring grades had him the fourth round bucket, and it doesn't seem likely that he'll overtake the likes of LSU's Garrett Nussmeier, South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers, or even the likes of Oklahoma's John Mateer or Indiana's Fernando Mendoza. However, crazier things have happened, and Beck has the Hurricanes firing on all cylinders offensively. That holds weight.
In a league that increasingly values traits and upside, Beck’s steadier, less flashy style might make him the type of signal-caller who doesn’t crack the top 10 but still offers immediate value for a playoff-hopeful team.
Day 2: Cade Klubnik, Clemson
Once considered a potential first-rounder and even a Heisman candidate early in his college career, Klubnik has seen his draft stock tumble a bit over the first month of the season.
Despite playing with outstanding surroundings at Clemson -- NFL-caliber offensive linemen, a deep group of receivers, and a defense loaded with potentially three top 20 picks -- the Tigers’ offense has sputtered to a 1-3 record. Much of the blame has fallen on Klubnik, who has struggled with decision-making under pressure and hasn’t shown the leap in consistency evaluators wanted to see.
The result? Teams are increasingly viewing him as more of a developmental option than a surefire first-rounder.
Still, the tools that once made Klubnik such a highly touted prospect haven’t disappeared. His arm talent is obvious, has enough mobility to extend plays, and the ability to deliver with touch when in rhythm. His flashes show a quarterback who, in the right environment, can operate efficiently and distribute to playmakers.
That’s what could make him appealing for the Steelers on Day 2, where the expectations are lower but the upside remains intriguing.
For Pittsburgh, Klubnik could serve as both a hedge and a swing on upside. If the Steelers decide to bolster their offensive line, cornerback room, or defensive front in the first round, landing a quarterback with Klubnik’s pedigree later gives them a chance to develop him behind a veteran bridge starter. His style isn’t as polished as someone like Beck, but the ceiling is still there if a coaching staff can clean up his processing speed and pocket poise.
The reason he could be available in the Day 2 range comes down to the league’s skepticism: evaluators don’t love quarterbacks who fail to elevate talented rosters, and right now, that’s the knock on him. Fair or not, it’s why he’s slipping in conversations with teams. But for an organization like the Steelers -- always drafting in the middle to back end of rounds due to Tomlin’s consistent competitiveness -- taking a chance on a former top recruit with tools on Day 2 could be the kind of calculated risk that pays off.
Day 3: Haynes King, Georgia Tech
King, a Texas A&M transfer, has become the heartbeat of the Yellow Jackets’ program.
At 6-foot-3 with a wiry frame and noticeable toughness, he’s a flat-out battler at the position -- an ultra-competitive leader who refuses to back down in any environment. That fire, combined with his dual-threat ability, has not only galvanized Georgia Tech but also put him squarely on NFL radars heading into the heart of ACC play.
His game is built around more than just intangibles. King can beat defenses with both his arm and his legs, showing the ability to extend plays outside structure and deliver accurate throws downfield. He’s quick to pull the ball and pick up chunk yardage as a runner, giving defensive coordinators fits when trying to contain him. While he still has moments of inconsistency as a pure passer, the blend of tools and competitive edge has scouts starting to view him as a potential riser in the class.
For the Steelers, that mix of traits could be especially intriguing. Pittsburgh has long valued quarterbacks who embody toughness, leadership, and resiliency -- traits that resonate deeply with the city and its fan base.
King’s competitiveness would fit right in, while his mobility would bring a modern dimension to an offense that has often struggled to create easy answers when plays break down. With a young core on offense, having a quarterback capable of buying time and creating with his legs could prove invaluable.
As conference play heats up, King has a real chance to climb should he continue to showcase efficiency as a passer while leading Georgia Tech against quality competition. His combination of fire, athleticism, and playmaking could see him jump from mid-round projection into legitimate Day 2 territory. For a Steelers team possibly looking to strike outside Round 1, King might end up as one of the most appealing value quarterback targets in the 2026 crop of talent.