Clark: Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 Mock Draft (Final Version)

With the draft less than a week away, I’ve compiled my final Steelers mock draft. Since you all LOVED my first one so much, I hope this one can meet the same expectations. Again, we’re operating under the assumption that Aaron Rodgers returns, and I’m obviously picking for what I think the team will do, not necessarily what I want it to do. Unlike last time, I’ve incorporated trades because I don’t see a way the Steelers actually make all 12 selections.

Without further ado, let’s get started.

Round 1 – Pick 21: OLAIVAVEGA IOANE/OG/PENN STATE

Omar Khan and Andy Weidl have built up the trenches since Khan took over as Pittsburgh’s GM, and Ioane would be the third offensive lineman taken in the first round by the Steelers in the last four years. It might not be an extremely sexy pick, but Ioane is the best guard in the draft and could be a future All-Pro. It’s hard to pass up on a player of his caliber, and the Steelers hosted him for a pre-draft visit. Khan has yet to take a player in the first round who hasn’t taken a pre-draft visit to Pittsburgh. I’m not banking on that changing this year.

Others Considered: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, WR Denzel Boston, WR Makai Lemon

Olaivavega Ioane Scouting Report

Round 2 – Pick 53: GERMIE BERNARD/WR/ALABAMA

Keeping this pick from my original mock. The Steelers hosted Bernard for a pre-draft visit and had a formal meeting with him at the Combine. A potential option in the slot who excels as a route runner and is a willing blocker. He just feels like a Steelers receiver to me. This team needs to take a receiver with one of its top two picks, and Bernard should be one of the better options remaining here in the second round.

Others Considered: WR Zachariah Branch, WR De’Zhaun Stribling, LB Jake Golday

Germie Bernard Scouting Report

TRADE: STEELERS SEND NO. 76 AND NO. 121 OVERALL TO THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS FOR NO. 58 OVERALL

Before we get to the pick, let me explain my logic on the trade. The 49ers have just six picks in this draft, so they add an extra selection to their total. Trading draft picks is an inexact science, but I tried to mirror historical trades and what’s considered fair value based on various draft charts. I know that based on a lot of trade value charts the Steelers “lost” this trade, but I don’t foresee San Francisco (or any team) dropping down 18 picks without getting another pretty solid selection in return.

Round 2 – Pick 58: DOMONIQUE ORANGE/DT/IOWA STATE

I’ll admit I’m going out on a limb a little bit here because the Steelers haven’t demonstrated a ton of pre-draft interest in Orange. But he’s the type of player the team *should* be interested in. He can play off the end or at nose tackle, and he’s a run stuffer with a bit of pass-rush upside. The Steelers defensive line still needs another piece, even after signing Sebastian Joseph-Day. Orange is someone who I think fits well, especially with how much Pittsburgh has struggled defending the run.

Others Considered: LB Anthony Hill Jr., CB Keionte Scott, WR Elijah Sarratt

Domonique Orange Scouting Report

Round 3 – Pick 85: DAYLEN EVERETTE/CB/GEORGIA

The Steelers had both Mike McCarthy and Omar Khan at Georgia Pro Day, where Ike Taylor was spotted talking to Everette. Pittsburgh also had a formal meeting at the Combine with Everette, an athletic cornerback who could develop behind Joey Porter Jr. and Jamel Dean. The Steelers showed a lot of interest in cornerbacks at the Combine and with their pre-draft visits, so I’m under the impression that they’ll take one within the first 100 picks. Everette makes sense later in the third round.

Others Considered: OT Travis Burke, CB Malik Muhammad, S Genesis Smith

Daylen Everette Scouting Report

Round 3 – Pick 99: DREW ALLAR/QB/PENN STATE

The Steelers brought Allar in for a pre-draft visit earlier this week. I’m of the belief they’re going to take a quarterback fairly early, and Allar is a decent swing to take. His Penn State tape didn’t always match the hype, but he has NFL-caliber traits and was once considered a potential first-round pick. He fits the mold of what Mike McCarthy might be looking for in a quarterback, and while he’s no sure thing, he’s worth the flier in this spot.

Others Considered: OT Markel Bell, S Kamari Ramsey, WR Skyler Bell

Drew Allar Scouting Report

TRADE: STEELERS SEND NO. 135, NO. 216 AND NO. 230 TO THE BILLS FOR NO. 126

The Steelers move up nine spots here at the cost of their existing fourth rounder, their sixth-round compensatory pick and a seventh-round pick. After trading No. 121 to San Francisco, the Steelers use their excess of picks to move back up. With this trade, the Steelers will still make nine selections, a much more reasonable number than 12. I just don’t foresee the team being able to roster 12 rookies, and moving up the board to get better talent is what I think will happen next week.

Round 4 – Pick 126: JAKOBE THOMAS/S/MIAMI (FL)

The Steelers add another player they brought in for a pre-draft visit, a versatile safety who takes away vertical routes and plays well against the run. Thomas fits Patrick Graham’s defense well, and after not taking a safety early in the draft, the Steelers trade up to get the best available here. He has the potential to be a future starter and had five interceptions as an anchor of Miami’s secondary last season.

Others Considered: LB Jack Kelly, TE Marlin Klein, WR Josh Cameron

Jakobe Thomas Scouting Report

Round 5 – Pick 161: HAROLD PERKINS JR./LB/LSU

Perkins played multiple different positions as LSU, and at one point in his career was receiving first-round buzz. He’s a prospect who has a lot of impressive raw traits but still needs to be coached up to become a consistent NFL contributor. But he also possesses special teams value, and the upside is high for a fifth-round pick. Perkins also came in for a pre-draft visit.

Others Considered: LB Red Murdock, TE Will Kacmarek, DT Rayshaun Benny

Harold Perkins Jr. Scouting Report

Round 7 – Pick 224: EMMANUEL HENDERSON JR./WR/KANSAS

I also had Henderson in my initial mock, and the big reason I’m keeping him is his upside as a returner. He’s a speed threat on the outside who wouldn’t need to contribute immediately but can be used to try to take the top off the defense while also serving as a return man.

Others Considered: FB/TE Riley Nowakowski, LB Jaden Dugger, TE Tanner Koziol

Round 7 – Pick 237: MATTHEW HIBNER/TE/SMU

Hibner had a strong Senior Bowl and tested well at his Pro Day. He’s a reliable blocker with good hands who can slide right into Pittsburgh’s tight end room behind Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington.

Others Considered: LB Taurean York, OT J.C. Davis, P Brett Thorson

Final Thoughts/Recap

1.21: OG Olaivavega Ioane
2.53: WR Germie Bernard
2.58: DL Domonique Orange
3.85: CB Daylen Everette
3.99: QB Drew Allar
4.126: S Jakobe Thomas
5.151: LB Harold Perkins Jr.
7.224: WR Emmanuel Henderson Jr.
7.237: TE Matthew Hibner

A pretty balanced draft with five offensive players and four defensive players. My big gripe is not coming away with a tight end sooner, but I do like adding high-potential depth at safety and linebacker in the fourth and fifth rounds. Most of the team’s big needs are addressed early. Trading up for Orange is a bit of a projection but I do think beefing up the trenches is important, though it’s fair to wonder if the Steelers will address the defensive line that early.

At the end of the day, there’s going to be one position that’s taken later than we think, and in this case, with how the board breaks, I have it being tight end.