With the 21st overall pick this April, there are a few positions many expect the Steelers to look at. Quarterback, wide receiver, and the secondary are the main areas most see the Steelers picking from in the first round. But with Isaac Seumalo becoming a free agent, the Steelers could have another hole at the left guard position.
To Mark Kaboly, that’s a spot that can’t be discounted at the 21st pick.
“See, where the Steelers sit at 21, it screams guard, man. But do you want to take a guard at 21? Your buddy from Penn State? [Olaivavega Ioane],” Kaboly said Tuesday on his Kaboly + Mack show. “I’d like to get a guy like Gennings Dunker in here… Don’t be telling me that offensive guards aren’t valuable in the first round.”
The offensive line was consistent last year, so most don’t consider it as glaring of a weakness as the receiver or cornerback spots might be. But if Seumalo were to leave in free agency, the Steelers would have to find some sort of upgrade at left guard.
Obviously, the Steelers could solve this issue right away by bringing Seumalo back. He put together a good season in 2025 as the lone veteran on the starting unit, and it would make sense to bring him back in the same role. There are some options on the free agent market, but not a ton, and not much better than Seumalo.
Free agency in general will have a big impact on the Steelers’ draft priorities. If they do little to address either receiver or cornerback, it may be hard to stray from those two in the first round, especially if a top prospect slides down the board. But if they do look at guard, Kaboly brings up two interesting names in Olaivavega Ioane and Gennings Dunker.
Ioane is probably the best interior offensive linemen in the class, and he’s expected to go in the first round. He’ll quickly translate to the NFL as a very strong offensive lineman with powerful hands. He’s a good run blocker and brings potential as a pass blocker as well. If he slides to 21st overall, it would be worth the pick.
Dunker isn’t a first-round talent, but Kaboly may be thinking of drafting him later instead. He played tackle in college, but would likely be better suited for guard if the went to the Steelers. Dunker is another strong, powerful lineman who played rugged on the inside, but doesn’t quite have the mobility to make it on the outside.
We’ll have a much clearer picture of the roster once free agency starts to wind down. But if the Steelers don’t bring back Seumalo, or bring in another guard to replace him, it would make some sense to take one at the 21st pick.
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