Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 7-Round Mock Draft 1.0

With the 2026 NFL Draft only a month away, teams are starting to shift their focus from free agency and toward the draft. Two weeks of free agency have passed. All 32 franchises have a clearer picture of what their team will look like in 2026. The Pittsburgh Steelers are still a work in progress. After making several notable additions since the new league year began, needs remain. Now is the perfect time to unveil my Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 7-round mock draft 1.0.

Pittsburgh Steelers Are Entering A New Era

For the first time in 20 seasons, the Steelers will not be led by Mike Tomlin. After yet another unceremonious first-round playoff defeat, the organization finally decided to part ways with its longtime coach. Tomlin was replaced by Pittsburgh native Mike McCarthy. The Steelers are entering a new era. Can McCarthy lead the Steelers to their first playoff victory in a decade? Needless to say, how Pittsburgh fares without Tomlin will be one of the NFL’s biggest storylines for the upcoming season.

The Steelers’ 2026 draft class will go a long way in determining how successful McCarthy’s first season will be. Armed with 12 total selections, Pittsburgh can be aggressive in acquiring the prospects it wants. Let’s get to the picks.

Round 1, Pick 21: TRADE!

Right off the bat, the Steelers use some of that ammunition to move up and grab a player who provides excellent value while filling a major need for the team. Here are the trade details:

Pittsburgh Steelers acquire: Pick 17

Detroit Lions acquire: Picks 21, 85, and 230

If you’ve read any of my mock drafts for the Detroit Lions, you know I think the Lions will try to pick up a third-round pick in this loaded draft. They accomplish that here by moving down four spots. The Steelers use their own third-round choice and the seventh-round pick acquired in their trade for WR Michael Pittman to jump the line and beef up their offensive line.

Round 1, Pick 17: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

In a pick sure to make the draft’s hometown crowd happy, the Steelers take Olaivavega Ioane. The undisputed best guard in this class, Vega immediately takes the spot of G Isaac Seumalo. With Seumalo now in Arizona, Vega projects as a day-one starter at left guard. 

Vega, at 6’4, 325 pounds, has the potential to become a perennial Pro-Bowler in the NFL. An elite pass protector, Vega allowed zero sacks or QB hits in 2025 at Penn State. If he hasn’t made his mind up yet, Aaron Rodgers will have another reason to come back for season two in Pittsburgh. Vega has an immovable anchor and high football IQ. An absolute “mauler,” Vega neutralizes defenders the instant he gets his grip on them. Selecting Vega will help Pittsburgh get back to winning at the line of scrimmage. Vega can be a pillar of the Steelers’ offensive line for the next decade.

Round 2, Pick 53: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

Even with the addition of Michael Pittman Jr., the Steelers could use more talent in their WR room. Enter Germie Bernard. After running a 4.48 at the Combine, Bernard solidified himself as one of the top WR prospects in this year’s class. 

Standing 6’1 and weighing 206 pounds, Bernard has plenty of size to go along with his incredibly reliable hands. His 2025 season at Alabama finished with 64 catches, 862 yards, and seven TDs. That production will bring help to a Steelers’ offense that has lacked playmakers in recent years. Bernard is also one of the best run-blockers in this receiving class, which goes a long way into making him a complete WR prospect. A trio of Bernard, DK Metcalf, and Pittman Jr. gives the Pittsburgh offense an element that has been missing for a long time. 

Round 3, Pick 76 (From Dallas): Bud Clark, S, TCU

The Steelers added former Bears’ safety Jaquan Brisker in free agency, but that shouldn’t stop them from drafting Bud Clark. Clark is an absolute ballhawk, finishing his collegiate career with 15 INTs. A strong week at the Senior Bowl boosted Clark’s draft stock. He then followed that up by recording a 9.32 RAS score at the Combine.

At 6’1, 188 pounds, Clark does need to add muscle to his thin frame. However, with Brisker’s addition, Clark has time to develop before being thrust into a starting role. Drafting Clark does wonders for the Steelers’ future at the position, as Brisker is only signed for 2026. Clark should still earn playing time as a third safety as a rookie. His penchant for creating turnovers will remind Steelers Nation of Minkah Fitzpatrick. Clark would be a terrific upside pick in the third round.

Round 3, Pick 99 (Compensatory Selection): Drew Allar, QB, Penn State

I think the Steelers miss out on Garrett Nussmeier, who they may have to take in Round 2 if they want him. With the LSU product gone, Pittsburgh pivots to Drew Allar as its consolation prize. Allar, from Penn State, going to the Steelers should make a lot of fans in Western Pennsylvania happy.

Allar, at 6’5 and 228 pounds, has prototypical pocket-QB size. Possessed with an elite arm and strong pocket awareness, Allar is another talented, young QB the Steelers can develop. Along with 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard, the Steelers’ future at QB would look promising in a post-Aaron Rodgers world.

Allar will need time to develop, of course. He still struggles with inconsistency and is working his way back from a season-ending ankle injury. Although Allar says the injury is fully healed, he only participated in throwing drills during the Combine. Returning to Penn State for 2025 did not go as planned for Allar, but he has the talent and upside to develop into an NFL starter.

Round 4, Pick 121: Max Llewellyn, Edge Rusher, Iowa

Max Llewellyn is an intriguing prospect for the Steelers. Always looking to bolster their defense, Pittsburgh could find a gem in Llewellyn. In 2025, his only season as a starter, the former Hawkeye amassed 6.5 sacks, showing his pass-rushing chops. With patience, Llewellyn could become a key rotational piece for the Steelers’ defense. T.J. Watt isn’t getting any younger, and the Steelers could use more youth on the edge.

Llewellyn does have his limitations. Run defense is not his strong suit, and he will need to improve for him to reach his potential. Although he has good size at 6’5, 263 pounds, Llewellyn still needs to add strength. However, watch out if he does. With a motor that doesn’t quit and an array of pass-rushing moves in his arsenal, Llewellyn could wind up a terrific pick for the Steelers.

Round 4, Pick 135 (Compensatory Selection): Tacario Davis, CB, Washington

Even with the addition of CB Jamel Dean, the upside of Tacario Davis is too much for the Steelers to pass on. At 6’4, 195 pounds, Davis has elite size and length for the position. Also showing 4.41 speed at the Combine, Davis earned a 9.76 RAS score, proving he is an elite athlete.

NFL teams can never have enough good cornerbacks. Pittsburgh taking Davis would make sure their CB group remains talented and deep for years. Jalen Ramsey is 31 years old. The newly acquired Dean is 29. Davis brings youth and tremendous potential to Pittsburgh’s defense.

Davis needs development to address his penalty issues, and he has a history of injuries. However, his size and athleticism make him a tantalizing prospect for the Steelers.

Round 5, Pick 161: Micah Morris, G, Georgia

With their fifth-round pick, the Steelers double-dip on their interior offensive line with Micah Morris. The guard from Georgia has been skyrocketing up draft boards due to his performance at the Combine. Morris was given a 9.99 RAS score, ranking him 5th out of all guards since 1987. 

At 6’5, 334 pounds, Morris is a mountain of a man. Able to use his heavy hands and strong anchor to clear gaps, the former Bulldog also has surprising mobility. With experience at both guard spots and tackle, Morris has the versatility that makes him a very valuable prospect. Zero sacks allowed over 701 snaps in 2025 only adds to his appeal.

With proper development, Morris can become a fixture of the future of Pittsburgh’s offensive line. The Steelers should not hesitate to take someone with a ceiling as high as Morris.

Round 6: TRADE!

The Steelers combine their three remaining picks to move up in the sixth round for another player whose stock is significantly on the rise. The trade details:

Pittsburgh Steelers acquire: Pick 190

New Orleans Saints acquire: Picks 216, 230, 237

Round 6, Pick 190 (From New Orleans): Keyshaun Elliott, LB, Arizona State

Keyshaun Elliott is generating a lot of buzz lately. Once thought to be a mere undrafted free agent, Elliott is now clearly a hot commodity in the later rounds. If he is still available at this spot, the Steelers should be all over this tackling machine.

Elliott is an excellent run defender who anticipates plays with ease. Armed with tremendous vision and a high football IQ, he is rarely fooled by the offense. At 6’2 and 235 pounds, Elliott has accumulated 274 total tackles over his last three years with the Sun Devils. 

Elliott is vulnerable in coverage and lacks true “sideline to sideline” range, but his production and leadership qualities should make him a target for Pittsburgh in the latter rounds. Elliott may hear his name called well before this spot. If available here, drafting Elliott would put a stamp on a very strong draft class for the Steelers.

There you have it. Let me know what you think in the comments below. Who would you like the Steelers to select in next month’s draft?