It’s nearly time, Pittsburgh Steelers fans. The 2026 NFL Draft is upon us and all the speculation is about to end. Before then, we posed a question to Steelers fans about whether they’d rather have an elite defense or explosive offense. At the time of this article’s writing, the majority comments appeared centered on elite defense.
Which would you rather have in 2026?
– An elite defense (Top 3)
– An explosive offense (Top 5) pic.twitter.com/lGUh4bUTSq— (@steelcityundrgr) April 21, 2026
In my final mock draft of this season, I utilized a consensus big board (ESPN, PFF, PFSN, and NFL) and was surprised by two trades that shifted the Steelers’ selection spots this year in minimal ways while still supporting a defense-heavy selection process in early rounds.
Trades pop off early
Right away, a trade popped up from the Los Angeles Chargers. The offer: they would move up to pick 21 and bump Pittsburgh to pick 22 but the Steelers would gain pick 55 for pick 76 at the same time.
After agreeing to that, the San Francisco 49ers offered to trade for pick 53 if Pittsburgh would take pick 58 and accept a third round pick in 2027 while giving up pick 216 this year.
Some fans will write this whole mock off for those two moves. But, hold on. The Steelers currently hold the second-most draft capital behind the Miami Dolphins. Neither of the moves bumped the Steelers out of a competitive position. And, the future payoff was respectable.
So, here is how things went with the picks:
Round 1 (22): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
As Joe Kuzma shared in his latest mock draft, “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.” With DeShon Elliott and Jaquan Brisker, safety may not seem to be what fans are looking for in the first round but may be a highly valuable choice.
At over 6’3″, 209 pounds, McNeil-Warren has size, length, great foot speed, exceptional lateral explosiveness and agility, a quick-flow style in support, and closing burst. Ranked as the No. 3 safety in this draft class, his small-school experience is overshadowed by his ability to play with proper discipline in 2-on-1 situations, work in short and intermediate coverage, and process overlapping routes.
If the Steelers are going to play more nickel and dime than they formerly did – which has been mentioned – adding McNeil-Warren makes a ton of sense. He could rotate in immediately.
Round 2 (55): Keonte Scott, CB, Miami (Fl.)
Sticking with that theme of a schematic shift, Scott – ranked as the No. 4 CB in the class – at just under 6’0″, 193 lbs, logged 13 tackles for loss, five sacks, and two pick-sixes in 2025, while earning a PFSN CB Impact grade of 85. A versatile nickel defender, Scott is considered to have one of the strongest foundations in the entire class.
Described as “springy” in coverage with a long stride, quick close, and elite in processing, Scott has the physicality to make key stops. His schematic versatility plays into Mike McCarthy’s coaching style. His ability to play off-man and in zone gives the Steelers an opportunity to move Ramsey to a deep corner instead of using him as a center-fielder.
Round 2 (58): Skyler Bell, WR, UConn
After addressing the defensive backfield, the move with San Francisco paid off by allowing the Steelers to grab their first top-30 visit player off the board in Bell – addressing receiver.
PFSN wrote about Bell:
“The 6’0″, 185-pound pass-catcher has one of the most complete three-level threat frameworks in the 2026 class. He’s explosive and energized as a mover, with a full route tree, vertical splicing, steely ball tracking, and dynamic RAC chops…making his profile one of the most well-rounded in the upcoming group. He’ll be an older rookie, but he compensates by posing as an immediate starter with inside-outside versatility.”
Bell would make an excellent WR3 with D.K. Metcalf and Michael Pittman.
Round 3 (85): Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma
Halton’s Senior Bowl performance propelled his rise in the 2026 NFL Draft. At 6’2 1/2″ and 293 pounds, Halton has a picture-perfect leverage and lean mass profile. Strong, long lower body, explosiveness – all great qualities that could help reset a defensive line that has put a lot of pressure on Keeanu Benton and Cameron Heyward.
In 2025, Halton earned a 82.9 PFSN DT Impact grade, and per TruMedia, he logged a pressure rate over 11%, and averaged just 1.3 yards allowed per run stop. Halton has the ability to be a stable 3-gap defender.
Round 4 (99): Jalen Farmer, OG, Kentucky
Having Spencer Anderson and Brock Hoffman on board sets up a competition to replace Isaac Seumalo this year, dropping the priority for guard down if the Steelers truly focus on making their defense elite.
Farmer, at 6’5″, 317 pounds, has excellent lean mass, good lower body strength, and proportional length. With mauler mentality and explosive burst, the younger rookie would get an opportunity to build on his ability to push interior defenders off the line, seal gaps, and utilize his torque without being forced immediately into the lineup.
Adding another young piece to the offensive line here sets the Steelers up for the future without utilizing a higher draft pick that could be spent on designing a defense that shuts down opposing offenses.