Olaivavega Ioane — 2026 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 3.0

After losing perennial Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum in free agency, the Ravens bolster their interior offensive line with Ioane, whose playing style fits Baltimore's run-first identity.

The clear-cut best guard in the draft is Ioane, who also happens to fill the Steelers' biggest need other than QB. Isaac Seumalo, who started at left guard in Pittsburgh for the past three seasons, left for the Cardinals in free agency. And I continue to believe that Aaron Rodgers will decide to play one more season with Pittsburgh.

Ioane is a physical, rugged guard who shows crunching power at the point of attack. He was exceedingly reliable at Penn State, meaning he could be a plug-and-play starter for new coach Mike McCarthy. Ioane ranks 14th among my top overall prospects.

He is the cleanest offensive lineman in this class. He is a power player who will step in and start right away to bolster a line that needs it.

The Steelers traded for a WR2 (Michael Pittman Jr.), found a starter opposite Joey Porter Jr. at corner (Jamel Dean), rounded out their running back room (Rico Dowdle) and added safety options (Jaquan Brisker and Darnell Savage). The one glaring hole they didn't address was a replacement for left guard Isaac Seumalo. Omar Khan has made a concerted effort to upgrade the offensive line since he was promoted to GM in 2022, spending two first-round picks (tackles Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu), a second (center Zach Frazier) and a fourth (guard Mason McCormick) on this group. With yet another early-round pick on offensive line, the Steelers can take another big step toward their goal of dominating in the trenches. Given the uncertainty surrounding Jones' health after neck surgery, the OL becomes an even more important position to add to early. — Mike DeFabo

After losing John Simpson and former first-rounder Alijah Vera-Tucker in free agency, the Jets look to reinforce their offensive line with another first-round selection. Ioane has good size and is comfortable in space. He showed off good awareness as a player this past season, which is encouraging for him to hit the field early in the pros. The Jets could go in a few directions with this pick, but I think they defer to the trenches (again) here.

Could the draft's host team take a young quarterback to build around in the future? Sure. Is it the best move in a seemingly weaker QB class — especially if the Steelers want to give Aaron Rodgers, assuming he returns, the best chance to take this organization further in 2026? Of course not. Arguably the best blocker in this draft, the 6-foot-4, 320-pound road-grading Ioane — one with high RPMs who lined up at tight end in some packages — could move into the spot vacated by Isaac Seumalo.

The Chargers thank their lucky stars that their need on the interior matches up with the best player still available. Ioane would be their most talented guard.

The Steelers' quarterback situation is still a big question. Will Aaron Rodgers return? Will another veteran step in -- such as Kirk Cousins? Or will Pittsburgh target a signal-caller in the draft? No matter what the Steelers plan to do, the top two quarterbacks are off the board here, and there isn't a third one worthy of a Day 1 selection.

Instead, Pittsburgh can try to replace Isaac Seumalo, who signed with the Cardinals. Ioane is the top pure guard in the class, with the power to physically move pass rushers out of the way and the light feet to erase second-level defenders. He didn't give up any sacks last season.

It feels like Ioane should be off the board by this point, but he isn't, so he'd be an obvious selection for the Steelers. He's the best interior offensive lineman in this draft. Maybe he won't be on the board for the Steelers when their pick comes around, but he'd be a tremendous fit if he is.