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Steelers 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Elite prospect falls to 21 before a high upside swing at quarterback on day three
Clark Wade/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Steelers 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Elite prospect falls to 21 before a high upside swing at quarterback on day three

Originally posted on A to Z Sports  |  By Rob Gregson  |  Last updated Apr 1, 2026 12:52 PM ET
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The hay is essentially in the barn at this point for the Pittsburgh Steelers. As we sit, the North Shore is being totally transformed ahead of what will be one of the most memorable weekends in the history of Pittsburgh sports.

The league meetings are over, the Pro Days are all but finished, and the final touches on the Steelers’ draft board are about to be made. So to gear up for the huge event, here is a 7-rounder. Oh, and this mock was done using the brand new, A to Z Sports Mock Draft Simulator! The A to Z Sports NFL mock draft simulator offers a deeply customizable and data-driven experience with never-before-seen features. Try the mock draft simulator today, before the 2026 NFL Draft arrives!

Round 1, pick 21: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

I believe there is a real chance that Thieneman is a top 15 selection by the time we get to April 23rd. His production was off the charts at Oregon, but it was his dominant performance at the NFL Combine that cemented him in that first-round range.

Speaking of range, he can play in the post, insert against the run as a big nickel, roam the box as a plus one, and play either free or strong in split safety looks. He ran a 4.35 in the 40-yard dash, jumped over 41 inches in the vertical leap, and went 10’5” in the broad jump. He’s rangy, instinctive, and hyper-aggressive. A perfect fit on the backend of the Steelers defense, which, even with the signing of Jaquan Brisker, still has some holes at safety long term.

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Round 2, pick 53: Gennings Dunker, OT, Iowa

Here, the Steelers solve their tackle issue with a high upside player like Dunker. He had a solid showing at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, and at the very least, he offers insurance at LT, given Broderick Jones’s status.

Round 3, pick 76: Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana

Don’t worry, there was no shot I would let the Steelers escape the first three rounds without a WR. Mike McCarthy spoke this week at the owners’ meetings about traits he covets at the WR position.

Inside-out versatility, and physicality were the two traits he mentioned most. A brawny target at over 6-2 and north of 210 pounds, Sarratt can be a power slot in the middle of the new Steelers WR trio, with the flexibility and route running to generate separation on the outside.

Round 3, pick 85: Connor Lew, IOL, Auburn

Even after the signing of Brock Hoffman, the Steelers will still be searching for their left guard of the future. Lew fell a bit here, but I would love to say a three-way competition between him, Spencer Anderson, and Hoffman.

Lew played center for most of his collegiate tenure, but he has both the size and movement skills to be a plus guard in my opinion.

Round 3, pick 99: Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas

Muhammad screams Steelers cornerback at over 6 feet and with nearly 33-inch arms. The Steelers signed Jamel Dean to be their corner opposite of Joey Porter Jr. for the present, but this selection is all about the future.

A wiry press man corner with good long speed will play every day of the week in new DC Patrick Graham’s scheme.

Day 3 of Steelers 2026 7-Round Mock Draft

  • R4, 121: Justin Jefferson, ILB, Alabama
  • R4, 135: Joshua Cuevas, TE, Alabama
  • R5, 161: Cole Payton, QB, NDSU
  • R7, 224: Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana
  • R7, 237: Tyren Montgomery, WR, John Carroll

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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