McCarthy’s 'position flexibility' comments hint at draft targets

During the recent annual NFL league meetings, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy was asked a number of questions by members of the media. One response stood out and could offer a hint about who he, the other coordinators on the staff, and Omar Khan may target the hardest in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft: prospects with “position flexibility.”

“Sixteen games is a long season,” McCarthy emphasized with the media. “Player position flexibility is something that I put a lot of value in.”

McCarthy spent quite a lot of time outlining how he’d already placed focus in that area with players on the roster (Jaylen Warren) and free agent additions (Jaquan Brisker). He didn’t single those two players out so much as use them as examples of what he wants from his squad, overall. He touched on both offense and defense.

McCarthy, who visited The Pat McAfee show recently, admitted that he hasn’t been at many pro days – which isn’t a deviation from his time with the Dallas Cowboys. He attended Georgia’s pro day but not all six on the schedule (a schedule that was truncated due to other responsibilities by the Steelers staff). His pre-draft process has been hand-in-hand with the scouts and staff, instead.

With just days of draft preparation remaining, McCarthy and company have likely been fine-tuning their process to align with the overall philosophy that player position flexibility is a key to success in 2026.

Consensus needs for the Steelers have been listed as offensive guard quarterback, linebacker, safety, and wide receiver.

Now, the question will be which prospects the scouts, McCarthy, the coaching staff, and Omar Khan have evaluated that fit that mold of being able to be versatile and flexible in their roles.

One name that pops up often as a Round One selection for the Steelers is Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane. NFL analyst Lance Zierlein wrote of Ioane, “Prototypical guard for physical run schemes with thick limbs, a broad frame and plus core strength…uses his hips and hands for leverage and displacement when drive blocking. However, he lacks athleticism and foot quickness to operate effectively as a move blocker.” Zierlein also pointed out Ioane’s “scheme dependence.” Ioane’s spot has been at left guard, so does he fit into McCarthy’s “position flexibility” mold? Analysts say yes.

The top position-flexible offensive guard prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft include Francis Mauigoa (Miami), who offers high-end tackle/guard versatility, Ioane (Penn State), Emmanuel Pregnon (Oregon), Chase Bisontis (Texas A&M), and Gennings Dunker (Iowa) per PFF and ESPN.

As for wide receivers – a position the Steelers could double-dip into – prospects featuring the ability to play both inside (slot) and outside (X/Z) positions, are led by Makai Lemon (USC), Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State), and KC Concepcion (Texas A&M), Germie Bernard (Alabama),
Carnell Tate (Ohio State), and Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana). These prospects offer high-level versatility, combining elite route-running, YAC ability, and experience lining up across the formation.

Tyson and Tate have also been featured on several mock drafts as  potential first-rounders for the Steelers.

Sonny Styles (Ohio State), Arvell Reese (Ohio State), Anthony Hill Jr. (Texas), CJ Allen (Georgia), Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech), and Jake Golday (Cincinnati) have all earned high position flexibility marks among linebacker draft prospects from several analysts.

The Steelers still have double digit visits available to them ahead of the draft, and some of these prospects – as well as others at positions of need – could pop up soon.

If McCarthy and company are intent on this ideology during his head coaching tenure with the Steelers, his statements at the league meetings could hint at which prospects they are most focused on targeting during the second ever NFL Draft held in Pittsburgh.