Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Mock Draft Roundup 1.0

Regardless of what happens with Aaron Rodgers, quarterback will remain the team's top need entering 2026 and they'd love for one of the top four quarterbacks to be available here. They got a nice value with Jack Sawyer falling to them in the fourth round, but T.J. Watt is entering the final year of his current contract. While I don't expect Watt to play anywhere other than Pittsburgh, adding another young edge rusher makes sense and Uiagalelei had a breakout season in 2024 as he led the Big Ten in sacks (10.5).

As of writing this, Pittsburgh has not signed Aaron Rodgers. The quarterback room is Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson and Will Howard right now. A year ago, Iamaleava was almost a foregone conclusion to be a part of way-too-early mock drafts. The 2025 season did not go as anyone expected and Iamaleava has since transferred back to the West Coast. As with all of these quarterback prospects, Iamaleava has not played at a No. 16 overall level, but the pieces are there if he can put it all together.

Sure, the Steelers drafted Derrick Harmon this year, but you can never have too many defensive tackles. Cameron Heyward will be 37 entering the 2026 season; the defensive line could see some turnover. Overton fits what the Steelers have looked for in the past, as the 6-5 283-pounder can play off the edge or reduce inside. His 13.4% pressure rate at defensive tackle last season was second best in the FBS. He probably would have been a top-60 pick had he declared for the 2025 draft, but Overton has the opportunity to boost his stock even more -- especially if he can improve his sack total (two last season).

You'd have to expect Pittsburgh would consider moving back should the top five 2026 quarterbacks be off the board, as they are in this exercise. More realistically, the Steelers will probably end up with a top 10 selection since Mason Rudolph is set to lead them into battle this fall, which is a losing proposition. With all potential top QB options exhausted here, Miami OT Mauigoa (6-6, 315 pounds) will have to suffice.

At 6' 5" and 225 pounds, Mendoza looks like an NFL quarterback but really has a chance to elevate his stock by playing in the Big Ten after a quality campaign as a starter with the California Golden Bears. He has a bit of moxy and could be the actual long-term Big Ben successor in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers might still be looking for a long-term option at quarterback a year from now. Had Nussmeier bypassed his senior year at LSU, teams believe he could have been the second quarterback drafted in this past class.

While his former receivers Jaylin Noel and Jaden Higgins generated much of the buzz for Iowa State in the 2025 NFL Draft, Becht will be the headliner this year, especially if he can build upon last season's production (3,505 passing yards with a 25:9 touchdown-to-interception ratio) while throwing to new receivers. Though his stubby frame will be a concern for some, scouts love his pocket mobility and mettle under pressure. He is the son of a former NFL standout, Anthony Becht, a former first-round pick by the New York Jets, who played a dozen years in the league at tight end.

The Steelers managed to patch up the hole at cornerback opposite Joey Porter Jr., but 34-year-old Darius Slay in only on a one-year deal. Jackson stands 6-1 and 195 pounds with speed to burn — he tied the California high school state record for the 100 meters dash at 10.25 seconds — and figures to be the kind of high-end athlete that Omar Khan gravitates toward.