The 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl and the Senior Bowl, not to mention Super Bowl LX, are all in the rearview mirror now in the fast-moving NFL offseason. The focus now shifts to the pre-draft process with the NFL’s Scouting Combine coming up at the end of February.
This year is a bit different for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ draft process, due to the significant changes on the coaching staff. Mike McCarthy and his staff have arrived, and it’s largely unknown what they like and what they look for in draft prospects.
Though the front office remains intact, it’s all a guess at this point. That’s what makes it so challenging this time of year.
Before diving into the mock draft here, I wanted to point out a few things I expect to happen in free agency. I fully expect Aaron Rodgers to be back as the starting quarterback. Still, I expect them to take a swing on a QB in the draft.
I think Kenneth Gainwell prices himself out of Pittsburgh with his big year, and the new coaching staff will have a different plan at the position. I also think Isaac Seumalo ultimately leaves, too, creating a hole at left guard. I don’t think the Steelers will go as big in free agency and trades as they did last year, opting instead to build through the draft with the projected 12 picks.
The team needs to get younger and start resetting a bit. The draft offers the chance to do that with those projected picks.
With all of that said, it’s time to dive into the first version of my mock draft.
ROUND 1 (21ST OVERALL) – WR DENZEL BOSTON, WASHINGTON
Analysis: Once again, the Steelers enter the offseason with a massive need at receiver, this time behind DK Metcalf. What better way to address the position than to take one of the best players at the position in his draft class than Washington’s Denzel Boston? He’s a big height/weight/speed guy who consistently made plays down the field for Washington. He can play above the rim, but he’s not going to make a ton of plays after the catch.
Still, that profile of a big, physical receiver who can win downfield opposite Metcalf is exactly what the Steelers need to take some of the attention off of Metcalf moving forward.
Others considered: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M; Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson; Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Denzel Boston Scouting Report
ROUND 2 (53RD OVERALL) — CB CHRIS JOHNSON, SAN DIEGO STATE
Analysis: Joey Porter Jr. took a nice step forward in his development in 2025, and James Pierre was a major surprise. I expect Pierre to be re-signed due to his special teams abilities, but the Steelers must address the position opposite Porter. That’s where San Diego State’s Chris Johnson comes into the picture. One of the top corners in the class, Johnson is sticky in coverage and is comfortable playing in man or zone coverage.
He has good size at 6-foot, 190 pounds, and his tape is outstanding. He’s not going to be the fastest guy at the position, and he’s not going to wow anyone with his athleticism. But he plays a physical brand of football and has gotten better each and every year at a non-Power 4 school.
Others considered: Keionte Scott, CB, Miami (FL); D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana; Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
Chris Johnson Scouting Report
ROUND 3 (76TH OVERALL, FROM DAL) — QB GARRETT NUSSMEIER, LSU
Analysis: The Steelers need to figure out their quarterback long-term, and while I expect Aaron Rodgers back for 2026, I don’t see them spending a first- or second-round pick on QB. Here at No. 76 overall, though? This feels like the sweet spot, and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier makes the most sense.
Mike McCarthy has a history with Nussmeier’s father, Doug, having coached with him in the NFL. Garrett has grown up around the NFL, knows the game inside and out, and brings a level of toughness to the position that will endear him to coaches and teammates. I think he’d be a good fit in McCarthy’s West Coast offense, and a QB worth attempting to develop, right alongside Will Howard.
Others considered: Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame; Chris Brazzell, WR, Tennessee; Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
Garrett Nussmeier Scouting Report
ROUND 3 (85TH OVERALL) — DL DARRELL JACKSON JR., FLORIDA STATE
Analysis: One of my personal favorites in the draft class, landing Florida State defensive lineman Darrell Jackson Jr. at No. 85 overall would be a nice coup for the Steelers. Jackson measured in at 6051, 328 pounds with 35-inch arms. He’s big, long and uses those arms and his size to his advantage.
Jackson was dominant at the East-West Shrine Bowl, as he was nearly unblockable in the trenches. He’s a sound run defender, has some pass-rush juice and projects as a guy who can play up and down the line of scrimmage. With Cameron Heyward another year older, and the Steelers having invested in the defensive line in recent years, I like taking another swing here on a big presence up front.
Others considered: Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama; Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh; Keylan Rutledge, iOL, Georgia Tech
Darrell Jackson Jr. Scouting Report
ROUND 3 (99TH OVERALL) — WR ANTONIO WILLIAMS, CLEMSON
Analysis: Again, the Steelers have a significant need at wide receiver behind Metcalf, and though I landed Boston in the first round, I wanted to double-dip at the position in the first two days under McCarthy and new WRs coach Adam Henry.
Antonio Williams can play inside and outside and fits what McCarthy is looking for at receiver. He’s a guy who can play all three roles. He was a big-play threat for Clemson in recent years, and though his numbers took a step back in 2025, due in large part to injury, Williams remains an intriguing offensive weapon. He can do damage with the football in his hands as a receiver or as a runner and can handle any role asked of him. That would slot in perfectly with Metcalf and Boston in this scenario.
Others considered: Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State; Markel Bell, OT, Miami (FL); Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M
Antonio Williams Scouting Report
ROUND 4 (121ST OVERALL) — BUD CLARK, S, TCU
Analysis: The safety position for the Steelers in 2025 was a mess, especially after DeShon Elliott went down with a season-ending injury. Jalen Ramsey kept a lid on things but wasn’t a playmaker in the role. And after a hot start to his Steelers tenure, Kyle Dugger fell off. So, Pittsburgh has to address the position in the draft and maybe even in free agency.
Versatility is key, and TCU’s Bud Clark brings that in abundance at the position. He also brings serious play-making abilities to the table, too. In 61 career games at TCU, Clark picked off 15 passes, including five last season. He can play deep safety, in the box and in the slot.
Others considered: Brian Parker II, OL, Duke; Isaiah World, OT, Oregon; Jaydn Ott, RB, Oklahoma
ROUND 4 (135TH OVERALL, PROJ. COMPENSATORY) — RB NICHOLAS SINGLETON, PENN STATE
Analysis: Remember, in this mock draft scenario, I think Kenneth Gainwell walks in free agency, so the need for a game-breaking running back behind Jaylen Warren remains. I understand that Kaleb Johnson is back for a second year, but who knows how he fits in McCarthy’s scheme moving forward. What I do know is that, even with a broken foot suffered at the Senior Bowl, Penn State’s Nicholas Singleton is one of the fastest running backs in the class and a guy who can consistently hit the home run as a runner, receiver and kick returner.
That broken foot could drop him down boards in the draft, and that should provide great value for whichever team drafts him. He’s got a compact build that can help him withstand some punishment between the tackles. He’s a guy who can handle whatever role is thrown at him offensively. He pairs nicely with Warren moving forward.
Others considered: Jaydn Ott, RB, Oklahoma; Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas; Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State
ROUND 5 (159TH OVERALL) — iOL AR’MAJ REED-ADAMS, TEXAS A&M
Analysis: With Isaac Seumalo set to hit free agency, Spencer Anderson is the projected starter at left guard. But depth will be a concern when Seumalo walks and Anderson moves into the starting lineup. Enter Texas A&M guard Ar’maj Reed-Adams. A year ago at this time, Reed-Adams was receiving some first-round buzz. He fell off a bit in 2025 but remains a good run blocker and can anchor well in pass protection.
Reed-Adams had some ups and downs at the East-West Shrine Bowl and struggled at times in bigger matchups in 2025. But he has a ton of experience and projects as a nice developmental piece for future Hall of Fame guard Jahri Evans to work with right away in Pittsburgh.
Others considered: Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State; Aamil Wagner, OT, Notre Dame; Jaeden Roberts, iOL, Alabama
ROUND 6 (213TH OVERALL, PROJ. COMPENSATORY) — DL JAMES THOMPSON JR., ILLINOIS
Analysis: I decided to double-dip on the defensive line for the second year in a row. That’s how important I view the position group, and how concerned I am with depth for Pittsburgh entering 2026. So, Illinois’ James Thompson Jr. makes sense for the Steelers as part of that double dip.
Thompson measured in at 6052, 301 at the Shrine Bowl with 32-inch arms. He can play up and down the line of scrimmage, too, and has a background developing at Wisconsin before transferring to Illinois. We know how much the Steelers value that Wisconsin pipeline, especially defensively. He could shore up depth behind Heyward, Keeanu Benton and Harmon, pairing with Yahya Black and Jackson to continue building up the trenches defensively.
Others considered: Ceyair Wright, CB, Nebraska; Domani Jackson, CB, Alabama; Owen Heinecke, LB, Oklahoma
ROUND 6 (214TH OVERALL, PROJ. COMPENSATORY) — LB XAVIAN SOREY JR., ARKANSAS
Analysis: Malik Harrison was not good in his first year with the Steelers, and the decision to sign him rather than retaining Elandon Roberts backfired for Pittsburgh. Harrison missed a ton of tackles last season, and even when he wasn’t injured, he wasn’t an impactful player.
The Steelers need another downhill thumper behind Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson, and Arkansas’ Xavian Sorey Jr. fits the mold. He’s listed at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, and he’s a former Georgia Bulldog. Sorey transferred to Arkansas and took off, combining for 180 tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and two interceptions in two seasons with the Razorbacks. I’m curious to see how he tests at the Combine.
Others considered: Eric Gentry, LB, USC; T.J. Hall, CB, Iowa; Fa’alili Fa’amoe, OT, Wake Forest
ROUND 7 (224TH OVERALL, FROM NO VIA NE) — TE/FB RILEY NOWAKOWSKI, INDIANA
Analysis: With Connor Heyward set for free agency, and a new coaching staff in place, there might not be a desire to retain the versatile offensive piece and special teams contributor. The Steelers have a new offense and need a better blocker at fullback, should they utilize it. Indiana’s Riley Nowakowski plays a similar game as Heyward, just with more of an edge.
He started out his career at Wisconsin before transferring to Indiana, and showed his abilities as a pass catcher. Despite being undersized for a TE at 6-foot-2, 243 pounds, Nowakowski is a good blocker, both in-line and as a fullback. He can handle special teams duties, too. The Steelers could get a bit cheaper at the position while getting a better blocker for the role with this selection.
Others considered: Noah Thomas, WR, Georgia; Jaedyn Lukas, CB, Clemson; Deven Eastern, DL, Minnesota
ROUND 7 (237TH OVERALL) — OT RILEY MAHLMAN, WISCONSIN
Analysis: After drafting an interior offensive lineman earlier in Reed-Adams, I wanted to add a developmental swing tackle to the mix behind Broderick Jones and Dylan Cook for new offensive line coach James Campen to work with and develop moving forward. Wisconsin’s Riley Mahlman fits that mold.
Mahlman started 11 games at left tackle last season after starting the opener for the Badgers at right tackle. In 2024, he was the full-time starter at right tackle, so he can flip between the two easily. He measured in at the Shrine Bowl at 6081, 318 pounds, with 32 1/8-inch arms. He played in 45 career games for the Badgers, starting 43. Finding that type of experience late in the trenches would be quite the addition for the Steelers.
Others considered: Micah Morris, iOL, Georgia; Keyshawn James-Newberry, EDGE, New Mexico; Dillon Bell, WR, Georgia
Recommended for you