INDIANAPOLIS – Through two days of interviews and the first day of workouts at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, several noteworthy observations are relevant regarding the Pittsburgh Steelers.
We are fortunate to have four contributors at the combine this year, with Joe Clark, Ryan Paglia, Devin Jackson, and me on-site to interview players and gather all the latest intel on the 2026 NFL Draft class. Here are five of our early observations.
STRONG FOCUS ON SECONDARY
After a relatively quiet first day of interviews for formal and informal meetings with the Steelers, Thursday morning’s media session with the cornerbacks and safeties told a much different story.
We recorded 15 meetings with corners and safeties, both formal and informal. And there’s a good chance we missed some with more prospects than we could cover all at once.
There is a lot of secondary talent on Days 1 and 2 of the draft, and the Steelers are scheduled to have five picks during that span. Given who they showed interest in, a first or second-round addition to the secondary shouldn’t surprise anybody. The third round should be considered wide open as a possibility with three picks.
– Ross McCorkle
Check out our full combine meeting tracker below.
LINEBACKERS IN PLAY
Patrick Queen is under contract, but the Steelers could easily get out of his deal and move on. Payton Wilson failed to step into an every-down role last season. Inside linebacker is very much in play, and the Steelers’ meetings at the combine prove it.
They met with at least two linebackers, including a formal with Cincinnati’s Jake Golday. He is projected to be a second-round pick and could push his stock up higher with a strong pre-draft process. At 6-4, and with his movement skills, he could be an ideal pairing in the middle of Pittsburgh’s defense.
Don’t count out another offseason of change at inside linebacker.
– Ross McCorkle
MUCH DIFFERENT DL CLASS
Last year had great prospects of all shapes and sizes along the defensive line, well into Day 3 of the draft. This year is much heavier on the interior defensive linemen. Many of them are probably better fits in a 4-3 system.
If you are looking for your prototypical 6-5, 300-pound defensive lineman with 35-inch arms, the options are limited.
– Florida DT Caleb Banks (6062, 327, 35)
– Clemson DT DeMonte Capehart (6047, 313, 33 7/8)
– Minnesota DT Deven Eastern (6050, 315, 34)
– Mississippi DT Zxavian Harris (6080, 330, 34 5/8)
– Darrell Jackson Jr. (6054, 315, 34 3/4)
– Mizzou DT Chris McClellan (6040, 313, 34)
Fortunately, what it lacks in base 3-4 end prospects, it makes up for with a wealth of nose tackle options. Lee Hunter, Cameron Ball, and Tim Keenan III are some of my favorites.
– Ross McCorkle
Check out our full combine measurements and workout results below.
SMALL-ARMED EDGES
Official measurements started today for players working out at the Combine. One of the biggest takeaways is the lack of arm length from some of the top EDGE rushers in the class. In particular, Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. and Texas A&M’s Cassius Howell stood out for their lack of arm length. Bain came in with 30 7/8″ arms, while Howell’s were even shorter at 30 1/4.”
Those numbers are historically low for an EDGE at the Combine, but it shouldn’t have too much of an effect on either’s draft stock. It was known coming in that both would have shorter arm length. Bain is still widely expected to be a top-five selection, while Howell should still be considered a first-round prospect. But it’s certainly notable and something unique about this year’s crop of EDGE rushers. It’s something to monitor, as arm length could become less of a priority when evaluating future EDGE prospects.
-Joe Clark
FIRST ROUND D-LINE AGAIN?
After taking Derrick Harmon in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Steelers could potentially target the position early again. The Steelers had a much clearer interest in defensive backs in terms of formal interviews. But they still met formally with some of the top defensive linemen in the class, including Kayden McDonald from Ohio State. They also met with Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter, a potential first-round pick, though it wasn’t clear if it was a formal or informal meeting.
However, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Steelers ended up waiting until Day 2 to select a defensive lineman. Darrell Jackson Jr. from Texas A&M and Michigan’s Rayshaun Benny were among the team’s formal meetings. Both players could be options for the Steelers after the first round.
-Joe Clark
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