The 2026 NFL Draft is practically here, which means Steelers Nation is in full speculation mode. Every visit, every rumor, every potential pick gets picked apart as we try to predict what Pittsburgh will do over the three-day event. Like most of you, I’ve gone back and forth between addressing roster needs and simply taking the best player available.
For this mock draft, I stuck with my usual core philosophy but added a slight twist. Using PFSN’s Mock Draft Simulator alongside ESPN’s Big Board, I let the board come to me and focused on value over need. I kept my same mantra as previous mock drafts too. The goal was simple: see how the roster comes together when you trust the board and lean into the best player available at each pick.
Sometimes those picks go against the grain of monitoring the Steelers pre-draft visits too. With a new head coach, I’m unsure what the team philosophy will be, but GM Omar Khan could operate business as usual. I also kept that mind, but that’s what makes this mock draft different.
Of course, no mock draft plays out perfectly. Boards differ, players rise and fall, and what happens in real life rarely mirrors any simulation. There’s always projection involved, and that’s part of the fun. This is as much about exploring possibilities as it is trying to get it “right.”
That said, here’s how things played out for the Pittsburgh Steelers in this 2026 mock draft.
Round 1 (21): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
This pick will surprise many, as Pittsburgh kicks things off by reinforcing the secondary with Dillon Thieneman.
Safety might not have been the most talked-about need, but I don’t necessarily trust the Steelers current situation. New defensive coordinator Patrick Graham wouldn’t comment on how they’ll use Jalen Ramsey, who had to move move to safety last season due to injuries. One of those injured players, DeShon Elliott, is being trusted to return to 2024 form.
Then there’s a one-year deal for Jaquan Brisker, which signals an upcoming need in the future if Ramsey doesn’t transition fully to safety, Elliott’s injury impact his play, or Brisker doesn’t “prove it” with his contract.
Enter Thieneman, who isn’t always available at this spot. However, Thieneman offers a skill set that’s hard to pass up. He brings range, instincts, and the ability to impact both the run and pass game. He can rotate in early and has the upside to grow into a full-time starter on the back end.
This feels like a value-driven pick rather than a forced one, especially with my preferred wide receivers and offensive linemen already off the board.
Also considered: Omar Cooper Jr. (WR, Indiana), K.C. Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
Round 2 (53): Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon
The Steelers turn their attention to the offensive line with Emmanuel Pregnon, continuing to prioritize physicality up front. After missing out on Penn State G Olaivavega Ioane in the first round, I’m fortunate enough to boomerang back around and pickup a potential Week 1 starter in Pregnon. With the signing of Brock Hoffman and the versatile Spencer Anderson in reserve, it feels like there’s a competition and a good shot at replacing Isaac Seumalo.
Pregnon has over 2,500 collegiate snaps at left guard over the last three seasons, making him a prime candidate to hold down the position in the future. Pro Football Focus gave him an 86.7 grade across his career, while he only allowed one sack, two hits and two hurries in 471 pass-block snaps last year.
Pregnon is a powerful presence who fits the identity Omar Khan and assistant GM Andy Wiedl want to establish in the trenches. At the very least, he adds much-needed depth and toughness to the unit.
Also considered: Keylan Rutledge (G, Georgia Tech), Germie Bernard (WR, Alabama)
Round 3 (76): Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
I really struggled on when to take a receiver, seeing as D.K. Metcalf and Michael Pittman will eat the lion’s share of reps with this offense. And rightfully so, as each is being paid a lot of money to be the team’s top two options.
That made picking a receiver earlier in the draft trickier, especially when most of the big names flew off of the board. (It’s one of the reasons Thieneman slid to 21.) On paper, the pick would be WR3 on the depth chart, so addressing the secondary and offensive line felt like bigger needs early.
Finally, wide receiver gets addressed here with Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt, a pick that could end up being one of the most impactful in this class.
Sarratt brings size (6’2″, 213 lb.s), strong hands, and the ability to make plays downfield. He complements the current receiver group well and adds another option for the offense. Last season Sarratt had 15 receiving touchdowns on 64 catches, and had caught at least eight touchdowns in each of his previous two seasons.
If he develops quickly, this could be a sneaky addition that pays off in a big way.
Also considered: Skylar Bell (WR, UConn), Zachariah Branch (WR, Georgia)
Round 3 (85): Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern
The “Khan Artist” doubles down on the offensive line with the first pick of the third round by selecting tackle Caleb Tiernan.
With the questions surrounding Broderick Jones‘ health, aside from questions around his play, tabbing a tackle seems like a smart play. If Jones isn’t ready to participate this summer, it will at least give Dylan Cook competition. The upside too is, if Tiernan’s upside pays off, the Steelers young offensive line could be locked down for years.
Tiernan played over 2,400 reps at left tackle exclusively the last three seasons, earning a 70.5 overall grade from PFF.
This pick gives the Steelers flexibility and depth at a critical position. Whether he’s competing for a role now or developing into a future starter, this pick reinforces Khan and Wiedl’s commitment to building a stronger offensive front.
Also considered: Drew Shelton (OT, Penn State)
Round 4 (99): Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma
The Steelers wrap up this mock by adding to the defensive line with Gracen Halton. Like the Tiernan pick before, attention is paid specifically to the trenches with a player who projects as a 3-4 DE.
This is once again a forward-thinking approach, with Cameron Heyward up in years and Keeanu Benton entering a contract season. Halton earned an 84.7 PFF grade, collecting five sacks and adding a walloping 22 hurries in 2025. (He had 4 sacks and 24 hurries in 2024.)
That type of value with pick 99 is hard to pass up, as Halton adds depth to a unit that can always benefit from a solid rotation. He may not be a headline name, but he fits the mold of a player who can carve out a role and contribute over time.
Also considered: Darrell Jackson Jr. (DT, Florida State)
Final Thoughts
This is far from the sexiest mock draft I’ve assembled over the years. However, this mock draft was all about balance.
After missing some of the headline names at guard and receiver in round one, I found a potential game-changing safety instead. Guard would be addressed in round two, with adding to both trenches in round three. The value was there for all, with the scrappy Sarratt being a potentially nice fit as a round three selection. (And there were plenty of receivers in this deep class to choose from even outside of those that will go on day one.)
Now, I know what some of yinz are thinking: where is the quarterback? That pick all depends on how they’re currently evaluating Will Howard, plus my suspicion says Aaron Rodgers will, in fact, return for another season.
That pick, if they make one, is more than available in round four. Keep in mind, this mock draft involved no trades and leaves the Steelers with seven picks remaining. At the point where I left off, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, North Dakota State’s Cole Payton, Arkansas’ Taylen Green, Penn State’s Drew Allar and Miami’s Carson Beck ere all still on the board. The Steelers met with four of those five players, meaning I could have my choice of any of them… or trade up earlier in the fourth if I felt the need to pull the trigger on a QB.
Cornerback is in similar fashion, where I feel the team is loaded up well with Joey Porter Jr., Jamel Dean, Asante Samuel Jr., Brandin Echols, and possibly Jalen Ramsey too. While not precise, there were solid names such as Malik Muhammad and Tacario Davis sliding well past the top 100 picks. Keep in mind, this player would likely be a CB4/5 at best this season, so the investment shouldn’t be as rich.
I’m fairly content with the overall draft too. I addressed the secondary, added weapons on offense, and—most importantly—invested heavily in the trenches on both sides of the ball. It’s a practical, no-frills approach that focuses on building a sustainable roster rather than chasing short-term hype.
It may not be flashy, but it’s the kind of draft class that could quietly pay dividends as the season unfolds.