The wait is finally over. With the 2026 NFL Draft kicking off tonight in Pittsburgh, the speculation is about to turn into reality.
Will the Steelers reinforce the trenches? Add a playmaker? Or make a surprise move no one sees coming?
We asked our Steel City Underground contributors to make their final predictions for the Steelers’ first-round pick. As expected, there’s a clear trend… with a few interesting curveballs.
Trenches Take Center Stage
There’s a strong belief among the group that Pittsburgh will continue to build up front, particularly along the offensive line.
Brian E. Roach is firmly in that camp, projecting Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane as the selection.
“Ioane – because you build through the trenches, fills a need and will be a cornerstone piece for years to come.”
Tina Rivers lands in the same spot, even if she admits it wasn’t always an easy choice.
“I hate to agree with B E R but I have been feeling OL since the beginning. I have waffled a bit in my mocks due to different variables, but will stick with Vega in the 1st. Safety is so tempting, though.”
Zach Metkler takes it a step further, calling it a no-brainer if Ioane is available.
“My pick is Vega. If him or Lemon are available at 21, it is a sprint to the podium scenario for the Steelers. Vega is the unquestioned best guard in this class… He’s plug-and-play and would bolster the interior with Frazier and McCormick for years to come.”
Metkler even draws a comparison to David DeCastro, highlighting the potential long-term impact of the pick.
A Different Kind of Protection
While most contributors are focused on the offensive line, Terry Fletcher offers a slightly different twist.
Instead of the consensus names, he’s going with a dark horse: Texas A&M guard Chase Bisontis.
“Okay I like dark horse Texas A&M G OL Chase Bisontis. We need pass protection and he seems faster on his feet than some OLs.”
Fletcher also pushes back on the popular wide receiver narrative.
“I know everyone probably wants a WR round one but not if Rodgers is returning for another painful year.”
The Wild Card
Not everyone is staying in the trenches.
Joe Kuzma breaks from the majority and looks to the defensive side of the ball, predicting Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
“While Ioane is a target, I believe the Steelers can find another guard in the next two rounds. They may have to move up to get Downs, but he’s a generational athlete that is both a short and long term solution for the backend of their defense.”
Kuzma also hints at the possibility of movement, noting that general manager Omar Khan could trade up if Downs begins to slide.
The Bottom Line
If there’s one clear takeaway, it’s this: the trenches are the overwhelming favorite.
Three contributors land on Ioane. Another sticks with offensive line help, just with a different name. Only one goes defense.
That doesn’t mean there won’t be surprises. There always are.
But if this group is right, the Steelers will be looking to protect their quarterback and build a foundation up front when they go on the clock at No. 21.
Now the only thing left to do is wait and see how it actually plays out.