Bryan Armetta previews and breaks down everything you need to know about the Pittsburgh Steelers heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.
Despite a miraculous AFC North title, the Steelers suffered through yet another first-round exit during the postseason. As a result, longtime head coach Mike Tomlin is no longer in Pittsburgh. Rather than a relative unknown, the franchise opted to bring in another former Super Bowl winner to fill the position in Mike McCarthy. For all his faults, there’s optimism that the veteran play caller can boost this scoring attack next season.
Granted, the status of future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers looms large. Right now, it’s uncertain whether the veteran quarterback will return for his 22nd season in the NFL. Whoever is under center will have the pleasure of throwing to Pro Bowl wide receivers DK Metcalf and new acquisition Michael Pittman. On the other side of the ball, the signing of cornerback Jamel Dean gives Pittsburgh a major secondary boost.
For a squad filled with grizzled veterans, the NFL Draft offers an opportunity to add much-needed youth. That’s especially true when you hold a whopping 12 picks; a move up to acquire premium talent makes sense for Pittsburgh. Right now, it’s anyones guess as to which direction the Steelers will turn to this weekend. Let’s break down all the scenarios before the clock starts on Thursday.
Given Rodgers’ age, there will inevitably be discussions centered around a quarterback. However, outside of presumptive first overall pick Fernando Mendoza, there isn’t much depth at the position this year. Alabama’s Ty Simpson (+1500) is a possibility, but it feels like building a more cohesive roster should be the priority. A long-term project in the third or fourth round, given Pittsburgh’s five total picks during that stretch, makes more sense.
A more reasonable, albeit less flashy fix for the offense would come up front. Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor (+700) is a name that’s flying up draft boards. On paper, it’s easy to see why. The 6’7″, 350-pound mauler brings toughness and athleticism to any offensive line. Elsewhere at tackle, Utah’s Caleb Lomu (+900) and Clemson’s Blake Miller (+950) also fill a need. Any of those three have the potential to play on the outside or interior at guard. It’s also worth noting that third-year OT Broderick Jones (neck) suffered an injury-related setback earlier this week, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
With all that being said, this is Mike McCarty’s team now. The former Packers and Cowboys head coach has always prioritized having an abundance of weapons. Metcalf and Pittman are nice to have, but why not make things really interesting? You can never have enough pass catchers in the modern NFL, which makes Omar Cooper Jr. (+650) an enticing possibility at pick no. 21. When we last saw the 22-year-old, he played a crucial role for title-winning Indiana. A proven winner that’s excelled in the hard-hitting Big Ten? It’s hard to think of a better fit for the Steelers. If Cooper Jr. is off the board, Washington’s Denzel Boston (+950) could be a nice alternative. However, the big-bodied red zone target could be a bit redundant next to Pittsburgh’s top two wideouts.
One thing feels all but certain: this offense is getting a first-round upgrade. The question is whether it’ll be to give whoever is at quarterback some protection or weapons. Cooper Jr. is tempting, given his proven talent and success against elite competition. However, the same can be said of Proctor, Lomu and Miller. What separates the Alabama alum is his potential transition to guard this season. That’s not to say Lomu and Miller can’t, but it may not be as seamless. Pairing Proctor with 2024 first-rounder Troy Fautanu would give Pittsburgh two building blocks up front for years to come.
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