The Pittsburgh Steelers are habitual creatures when it comes to the first round of the NFL Draft. Since Omar Khan took the lead, this team has consistently shown significant interest in whoever ends up being their first-round pick.
In short, don’t expect any smokescreens here.
In the past, the Steelers wanted to be at the pro-day of their top guy. Under Khan, that was still in play, but being a pre-draft visit was also vital to being the first pick for Pittsburgh.
However, with the new coaching staff in place, we saw the usual busy pro-day circuit become an afterthought for the team. This has significantly shortened the list of potential first-round picks.
While I’m stretching a little bit, I have a list of 11 prospects that could become the Steelers top pick this year. My rankings take into account a few different criteria. Of course, the team’s need as well as the player's talent dominate where I value a player. I also consider positional need as well as immediate role.
Ranking the 11 potential first round picks for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2026 NFL Draft
11. Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
My last two names on this list are commonly left off the list due to most perceiving their value as day two picks. That said, both have garnered first-round buzz, so I wanted to include them in case the Steelers reach in the first round or justify taking either by trading back.
I’d honestly rank both Jacob Rodriguez and my ninth-best option almost identically in terms of ability and outlook. I feel like both should become good starters in time, but will likely never be true top options.
Given the fact that Rodriquez is an off-ball linebacker, his positional value is reduced. That said, he plays the run hard and flashed in coverage. Many (myself included) were surprised by how well he tested as an athlete. Some of that testing doesn’t show up on tape, unfortunately.
Rodriguez would be a fine addition to this defense with a high floor and a moderately high ceiling. That said, I’d rather see him in round two as opposed to reaching on him this early.
10. Keylan Rutledge, IOL, Georgia Tech
Similar to Rodriguez, most expect Keylan Rutledge to go somewhere on day two. However, some have speculated that he could sneak into the first round, putting him in play for the Steelers.
Rutledge is a classic road grader as a blocker. He does his best work overpowering defensive linemen in the run game. He is a nasty blocker who plays through the whistles and always tries to set the tone in every game.
His pass blocking is unexceptional, but there is room to grow. I don’t see the traits that would make him a true top guard in the NFL, though, so taking that kind of player in round one feels like bad value.
9. CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
A player I’m not high on, CJ Allen makes the list as the Steelers were present at his pro-day, the only time Omar Khan and Mike McCarthy were spotted on the trail. Linebacker could be a sneakily early pick, but Allen doesn’t feel like a great option.
He is a run defender first, although I think his best trait is as a blitzer. He brings a physical presence to the defense that can help elevate the team.
However, he is undersized, reacts to plays instead of anticipating, and struggles in coverage. Some of those can be improved upon in time, but taking a player at a devalued position with those blatant problems feels like a massive mistake.
8. Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The first name that feels like a distinct possibility in the first round, I am very low on Denzel Boston. While the idea of having three big-bodied receivers sounds like fun and hard to scheme against, I don’t see a great pro player in the Washington receiver.
Boston is a good contested catch option with solid hands and decent route running. However, there is a serious question about his overall athleticism. Those questions only picked up after opting not to test this offseason.
We have seen so many players just like Boston struggle. One that comes to mind recently is Keon Coleman. A similar big-bodied option that struggled to separate. I feel like it would be a blunder to add Boston to this room.
7. Christian Miller, DL, Georgia
Just like Allen, Christian Miller makes this list due to McCarthy being present at his pro-day. I don’t love his tape, but he has a good ceiling and can provide immediate value as a run defender.
Miller shines when he can take on blocks and force running backs to change their plans. When asked to rush the passer, his technique is extremely raw. There is room to grow in that regard, though.
Like some of the earlier names, Miller feels like more of a second-round option. However, I see a moderately high ceiling and recognize that the defensive line is still a need. Ideally, the Steelers would trade back and acquire Miller and some additional picks in 2026.
6. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toldeo
Safety is one of the more devalued positions to play on defense, which keeps my hope for Emmanuel McNeil-Warren muted. Add in the fact that he played at a smaller school, and you have to question if he would be worth the first-round pick.
That said, his tape is fun to watch. He played all over the secondary and was a natural playmaker. Not only in terms of interceptions, but also as a hitter and ball seeker on tackles. He feels like an enforcer in the secondary.
I question what his best fit is. His size feels like he would be better at strong safety, but his style of play is closer to free safety. His lack of tape against top teams is also a concern. I wouldn’t hate this pick, but I feel like the value would not be great, all things considered.
5. Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
A lot of the concerns I have with McNeil-Warren are the same with Chris Johnson. That said, cornerbacks have a lot more value than safeties, and Johnson has some really strong and versatile tape.
While he doesn’t have the freaky size that this team seems to like in their cornerbacks, he plays well in both zone and man coverage. He doesn’t feel like a great fit in the slot, and long-term, the hope would be that he develops into an outside cornerback to start once Jamel Dean is off the team.
Dean being here makes taking Johnson in the first round even harder to sell. His role would be minimal early on, and it feels like a luxury to take him in round one. That said, the talent is there, and I’d rather have him over a bigger need with a lower ceiling.
4. Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The top four is where I hope the Steelers end up in the draft, although the odds of any of these players making it to pick 21 don’t seem great. I love Makai Lemon, which should tell you just how strong the top four are.
While some cite that Lemon has character issues, those seem to stem from his combine interview. While he had some weird mannerisms, his answers seemed fine. His play on the field is exceptional, and he provides exactly the type of receiver that this team is lacking.
Lemon does his best work in the slot where his sharp route running shines. He finds ways to get open and has soft hands to make catches. While he may never become a true top-five receiver, an offense can move through him with ease, and he would be an exceptional value in the first round.
3. Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State
If anyone has been following along with my analysis, you know that I like Olaivavega Ioane to the Steelers in the first round. If he makes it to pick 21, Ioane feels like a slam dunk prospect with a very high floor.
He is a plug-and-play guard who would instantly elevate the offense. He is a mauler in the run game and brings a nasty streak when pass blocking. He feels like one of the best offensive linemen in this class, and the only reason he could fall this far is that guards tend to be devalued on draft day.
Ioane would be a slam dunk if he makes it that far. He would complete this offensive line rebuild and give whoever ends up being the quarterback. The best team builds through the trenches, and Ioane would be worth the squeeze.
2. Monroe Freeling, OL, Georgia
While Ioane is a plug-and-play guard, there are two tackles whom I like more than him. Monroe Freeling is a massive human being with great length and size. On the surface, he feels like a great tackle prospect due to his traits.
However, his technique is extremely raw. He had limited starts at Georgia, and while he shined in those limited opportunities, he needs to work on his footwork and ability to hold the edge. A lot of those issues would be alleviated if he moved inside.
I like Freeling more as a guard who can begin his career there and, if needed, move back outside to tackle if his development warrants it. My lone concern is that his inexperience and areas needed to grow could cause a lot of growing pains early in his career, especially if moved inside.
1. Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
One of the more surprising names that was brought in as a visitor, everything I said about Freeling applies to Spencer Fano. The major difference is Fano’s length and his experience.
Unlike Freeling, Fano has shorter arms, and that forces teams to kick him inside despite his tape at tackle being excellent. We saw Will Campbell fade down the stretch, and length was a major concern with his tape. That said, he has a lot of quality tape as a tackle at the college level.
While his ceiling isn’t as high as Freeling's, it isn’t far behind. His floor, however, is extremely high, making him the better pick if he ends up being available. Length is a concern, but a move inside solves that.
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