The 2026 NFL Draft is right around the corner, which means Steelers Nation is once again locked into speculation mode. Every pick, every rumor, every visit gets dissected as we try to figure out what direction Pittsburgh will go over the three-day event. I’m right there with you, going back and forth on roster needs versus simply adding the most talented players available.
For this mock draft, I stuck to a similar philosophy as drafts I’ve done in previous years, but with a few tweaks. Using Pro Football Network’s Mock Draft Simulator, I let the board come to me and focused primarily on selecting the best player available at each pick. No trades, no wild reaches, and no trying to force a position just to check a box. If anything, this is about seeing how the roster shapes up when value drives the decisions.
Of course, even with that approach, there’s always some level of projection involved. Draft boards vary, players rise and fall, and what happens in reality rarely matches up perfectly with any simulation. At the end of the day, this is still part analysis, part entertainment and it’s almost guaranteed to miss on a few fronts.
That said, here’s how things played out for the Pittsburgh Steelers in this 2026 mock draft.
Round 1, Pick 21: Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
This is the consensus “can’t miss” pick for an offensive lineman in this draft, especially for the Steelers, who lost guard Isaac Seumalo to free agency two months ago.
Olaivavega Ioane, nicknamed “Vega”, is the kind of pick that won’t generate national buzz but could pay off immediately. He brings size, strength, and the ability to anchor the interior, giving Pittsburgh a potential day one starter.
Looking around the rest of the draft board, wide receivers went like wildfire, and while I could’ve added one, a rookie would likely be WR3 (at best) in this offense. Instead, I go with a potential cornerstone player that will play every snap, in every game. To me, that feels like a better overall value with my first round pick.
A four-year player at Penn State with 44 collegiate starts, Pro Football Focus ranks him as the highest-graded guard on their big board, noting “Across 311 pass-blocking snaps, he allowed just four total hurries.”
With ongoing questions along the offensive line, this move signals a commitment to protecting the quarterback and improving consistency in the run game. It’s a foundational pick that fits exactly how Omar Khan and Andy Weidl prefer to build, making it their fourth straight first round pick that addresses either side of the trenches.
Round 2, Pick 53: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
A recent pre-draft visit put safeties back on the radar, with Emmanuel McNeil-Warren among the Steelers’ allotted top-30 visitors.
Caleb Downs and Dillon Thieneman are consistently drafted before the Steelers are on the clock at 21, but McNeil-Warren often slips through the cracks and is available at 53, so I snatch him here as the run on receivers was still crazy for who was already selected by this time in the second round.
Pittsburgh continues to invest in the secondary with McNeil-Warren, a safety who brings range and physicality. After dealing with injuries and inconsistency in the defensive backfield, adding a player like this makes a lot of sense. Khan said as much in offseason interviews, acknowledging that defensive backs are the most oft-injured position on the roster.
McNeil-Warren is another four-year player, with 48 starts for the Toledo Rockets. He has an impressive 11 tackles-for-loss, 5 interceptions, and 9 forced fumbles throughout his college career.
McNeil-Warren has the tools to contribute early in sub-packages while developing into a larger role. His ability to move around the field adds flexibility to the defense and gives the Steelers another piece to work with moving forward, as Jaquan Brisker was signed for only one year, Jalen Ramsey’s safety role may have been temporary, and it’s anyone’s guess if DeShon Elliott will return to true form following injuries that sidelined him for a majority of 2025.
Round 3, Pick 76: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
The Steelers take a swing on upside with Zachariah Branch, a receiver who offers speed and playmaking ability. He’s the type of player who can stretch the field and create mismatches, even if his game still needs refinement.
At 5’10” 190 lbs., Branch should be available at this time and would be an ideal replacement for Calvin Austin, especially if current Steelers WR Roman Wilson isn’t able to crack playing time.
Branch stood out last season with 81 catches for 811 yards and 6 touchdowns for the Georgia Bulldogs.
This pick is less about immediate production and more about what he could become in the system. If developed properly, Branch has the potential to grow into a dangerous weapon in the offense. He could also become a special teams pick, returning kicks or punts: something no one else appears readily capable of on the current roster.
(I also considered Indiana WR Elijah Sarratt, who also projects as a developmental player.)
Round 3, Pick 85: Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State
Adding to the defensive line, the Steelers select Darrell Jackson Jr., a big-bodied presence who can help in the trenches. At 6’5″ and 337 lbs., he’s a high-upside prospect who won’t be leaned on to start right away.
With the current core aging, it’s important to keep adding depth and future contributors up front. A five-year player with 50 career starts across three different programs, Jackson has flashed a knack for disrupting the run game and pressuring quarterbacks.
Still, Jackson projects as a rotational piece early on, with the potential to take on a larger role as he develops. It’s a forward-thinking move that keeps the defensive line pipeline intact and helps provide special teams depth.
Round 3, Pick 99: Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
Okay, let’s make everyone almost happy and take a quarterback here. I feel the link between Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy and Nussmeier’s dad can’t be ignored.
This is a classic mid-round flyer at the position, bringing in a player with arm talent and experience in a high-level offense. A five-year player, Nussmeier slides after missing time in 2025 after a shaky 2024 with 12 interceptions, but the traits are all there.
He wouldn’t be expected to start right away, but adding competition and a developmental option at quarterback is never a bad move. If things break right, this could end up being one of the more interesting picks of the class.
Overall Takeaway
This mock draft reflects a steady, disciplined approach. The Steelers reinforce the offensive line, add depth to key defensive areas, and take a couple of calculated swings on upside players.
It may not be the flashiest class, but it’s one that aligns with how Pittsburgh has traditionally built its roster — physical, patient, and always with an eye on the future.