The Pittsburgh Steelers seem to have made a controversial hire by bringing in Mike McCarthy to be the team's next head coach. Hiring McCarthy does deviate big-time from how the team typically does things, but at the same time, fans have strongly thought that the hire is only going to keep the status quo, just that.
However, there is reason for optimism, as McCarthy brings an offensive focus to the team, and that's really been the sore spot for Pittsburgh in recent years. The defenses are what they are - for the most part, it is a lot easier to fill holes on defense than it is on offense.
There's reason to believe that the Steelers could be a legitimate playoff team in 2026 if the offense sees the right development, and if Pittsburgh were able to get this type of class in the building, the sky is truly the limit.
Pittsburgh Steelers get aggressive on offense in updated 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft
21. Vega Ioane, OG, Penn State
Isaac Seumalo is a free agent for the Steelers in 2026 and is on the wrong side of 30. It would make a ton of sense for Pittsburgh to continue stacking the offensive line with young talent. They use pick 21 on Vega Ioane, the best interior player in the draft, a day one starter, and someone who plays with a nasty edge.
53. Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
Germie Bernard profiles as a well-rounded no. 2 WR in the NFL. Paired up with DK Metcalf, Bernard could instantly thrive in year one. Getting him at pick 53 is a solid use of NFL Draft capital.
76. Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
Kenneth Gainwell is a free agent in 2026. The Steelers add Jadarian Price, the other running back from Notre Dame, who is going to get drafted. Putting on an offensive focus like this is a great way to kickstart the Mike McCarthy era.
86. Dontay Corleone, DT, Cincinnati
The Steelers also have some free agents along the defensive line, but they also have some aging players still under contract. Being able to win in the trenches is a hallmark of Steelers football. Pittsburgh snags Dontay Corleone at pick 86.
99. Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke
The Steelers have six free agents coming in the secondary, two at CB and four at S, so it'd be wise for the front office to prioritize some young talent on the backend. It also feels like Pittsburgh has pieced its secondaries together in recent years. Flipping the script and getting more drafted players in the building is a wise idea.
121. Devin Moore, CB, Florida
Devin Moore is a 6-3 cornerback, so he's got some insane size for the position. Two CBs in a row might feel a bit odd, but the best secondaries in the league have primarily been built through the NFL Draft. See: Denver and Houston.
135. Sawyer Robertson, QB, Baylor
At some point, the Steelers need to take a swing at a young QB. Mike McCarthy has worked well with younger QBs before, so taking a stab at someone in the middle of the NFL Draft makes sense. Pittsburgh opts to draft Sawyer Robertson from Baylor in this mock.
159. Zxavian Harris, DT, Ole Miss
Zxavian Harris had nine tackles for loss in 2025 for Ole Miss. Getting into the backfield that much against NFL-caliber competition could be an enticing draw for Pittsburgh at pick 159.
213. Dane Key, WR, Nebraska
Dane Key brings 51 games of collegiate experience into the NFL. That has to be valued by the Steelers, and it's another young WR for the room for the long-term.
214. Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh
It doesn't quite feel like a proper Pittsburgh Steelers mock draft unless they draft someone who has some type of connection with the team. Kyle Louis played his college football at Pitt and could be a depth piece in the middle of the defense.
224. Devan Boykin, S, Indiana
A nice appeal with Devan Boykin is that he recently played his college ball at Indiana, the college football national champs, and a team in the Hoosiers that did emulate, in some respects, how an NFL team might run.
237. Wesley Williams, EDGE, Duke
Wesley Williams had 29 tackles for loss in his career at Duke, which spanned 41 games. He's the final pick for Pittsburgh in our latest mock draft - the trenches are always a good idea.