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NFL Mock Drafts 2026: Comparing Steelers Pick Projections From Top Experts
TL;DR
The Pittsburgh Steelers hired Mike McCarthy as their new head coach, marking a significant change in the team's leadership. With 12 draft picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, experts suggest the Steelers will focus on strengthening their offensive line.
Mike McCarthy
NFL Mock Drafts 2026: Comparing Steelers Pick Projections From Top Experts originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
It's a new era for the Steelers, who hired Mike McCarthy as the 17th head coach in franchise history earlier this year. The hiring marks a massive cultural shift for an organization that has seen only four head coaches since 1969, and McCarthy returns to his hometown with a desire to lead the Steelers back to championship glory.
Armed with 12 draft picks, Pittsburgh will enter the 2026 NFL Draft with the ability to address multiple needs. Experts are increasingly pointing toward the offensive line as a priority with prospects from college football powerhouses emerging as potential anchors for McCarthy's system.
Whether the team stays focused on the trenches or utilizes its deep pool of draft capital to trade up for a dynamic playmaker, this draft could serve as a major turning point for the franchise.
Here are the latest projections from draft experts on how Pittsburgh will use its picks.
On The Clock mock draft (Steelers.com)
Three Steelers Audio Network personalities made selections in the first Steelers.com mock draft:
| Personality | Pick | Player | Position | School |
| Mike Prisuta | 21 | Makai Lemon | WR | USC |
| Max Starks | 21 | Denzel Boston | WR | Washington |
| Matt Williamson | 21 | Carnell Tate | WR | Ohio State |
**Notable:**All three personalities have Pittsburgh drafting a wide receiver in the first round.
Peter Schrager's mock draft (ESPN)
Schrager's latest mock was released on April 7:
| Pick | Player | Position | School |
| 21 | T.J. Parker | EDGE | Clemson |
Matt Miller's mock draft (ESPN)
Miller's latest mock was released on March 30:
| Pick | Player | Position | School |
| 21 | Kadyn Proctor | OT | Alabama |
| 53 | Garrett Nussmeier | QB | LSU |
| 76 | Gennings Dunker | G | Iowa |
| 85 | Tyler Onyedim | DT | Texas A&M |
| 99 | Chris Brazzell II | WR | Tennessee |
| 121 | Jakobe Thomas | S | Miami (Fla.) |
| 135 | Trey Moore | EDGE | Texas |
| 161 | Kaytron Allen | RB | Penn State |
| 216 | Collin Wright | CB | Stanford |
| 224 | Kaleb Proctor | DT | SE Louisiana |
| 230 | Julian Neal | CB | Arkansas |
| 237 | Isaiah World | OT | Oregon |
Vinnie Iyer's mock draft (The Sporting News)
Iyer's seven-round mock draft was released on April 1:
| Pick | Player | Position | School |
| 21 | Caleb Lomu | OT | Utah |
| 53 | Gabe Jacas | EDGE | Illinois |
| 76 | Genesis Smith | S | Arizona |
| 85 | Michael Trigg | TE | Baylor |
| 99 | Cade Klubnik | QB | Clemson |
| 121 | Treydan Stukes | CB | Arizona |
| 135 | Kevin Coleman Jr. | WR | Missouri |
| 161 | Albert Regis | DT | Texas A&M |
| 216 | Pat Coogan | G/C | Indiana |
| 224 | Jordan van den Berg | DT | Georgia Tech |
| 230 | Robert Henry Jr. | HB | UTSA |
| 237 | Tommy Doman Jr. | P | Florida |
Field Yates' mock draft (ESPN)
Yates' latest mock draft was released on March 24:
| Pick | Player | Position | School |
| 21 | Olaivavega Ioane | G | Penn State |
| 53 | Brenen Thompson | WR | Mississippi State |
Tom Fornelli's mock draft (CBS Sports)
Fornelli's latest mock draft was released on April 1:
| Pick | Player | Position | School |
| 21 | Spencer Fano | OT | Utah |
Ryan Wilson's mock draft (CBS Sports)
Wilson's latest mock draft was released on March 30:
| Pick | Player | Position | School |
| 21 | Jordyn Tyson | WR | Arizona State |
| 32 | Ty Simpson | QB | Alabama |
| 85 | Gennings Dunker | IOL | Iowa |
| 99 | VJ Payne | S | Kansas State |
**Notable:**Wilson has the Steelers trading up in the draft, sending two of their second-round picks (Nos. 53 and 76) to the Seahawks for No. 32.
Nate Tice and Charles McDonald's mock draft (Yahoo Sports)
Tice and McDonald's latest mock draft was released on April 8:
| Pick | Player | Position | School |
| 21 | Jordyn Tyson | WR | Arizona State |
Lance Zierlein's mock draft (NFL.com)
Zierlein's latest mock draft was released on March 31:
| Pick | Player | Position | School |
| 21 | Omar Cooper Jr. | WR | Indiana |
Todd McShay's mock draft (The Ringer)
McShay's latest mock draft was released on March 24:
| Pick | Player | Position | School |
| 21 | Olaivavega Ioane | OG | Penn State |
Mel Kiper's mock draft (ESPN)
Kiper's latest mock draft was released on March 17:
| Pick | Player | Position | School |
| 21 | Olaivavega Ioane | OG | Penn State |
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Q&A
Who is the new head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers for 2026?
Mike McCarthy is the new head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, marking a significant change in the team's leadership.
How many draft picks do the Steelers have for the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Pittsburgh Steelers have 12 draft picks for the 2026 NFL Draft.
What position are experts predicting the Steelers will prioritize in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Experts are predicting that the Steelers will prioritize the offensive line in the 2026 NFL Draft.
What cultural shift does Mike McCarthy's hiring represent for the Steelers?
Mike McCarthy's hiring represents a massive cultural shift for the Steelers, who have had only four head coaches since 1969.
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