A couple weeks before free agency, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo listed three positions the Pittsburgh Steelers could address in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Their priorities have shifted in his eyes after recent roster shuffling.
“I think right now, if you kind of look at what they’ve done in free agency, I’m gonna say it’s either a guard, a safety, or a receiver in the first round. I wouldn’t be surprised right now if it’s any of those positions,” Fittipaldo said Friday on 93.7 The Fan’s The Pomp and Joe Show. “And really what they’ve done, they’ve kind of set themselves up to say, ‘Okay, best player available at any of those three positions. We’ll sit there at 21 and we’ll take whoever’s there.'”
Safety and wide receiver made the pre-FA list, but Fittipaldo swapped cornerback out for guard. The reason why is obvious as the Steelers re-signed CB Asante Samuel Jr. and signed CB Jamel Dean to a three-year deal.
Meanwhile, OG Isaac Seumalo departed in free agency, and they haven’t backfilled his starting spot yet. Earlier this week Jordan Schultz had Hoffman signing with the Steelers but quickly deleted his report leaving Hoffman’s status in question. Hoffman is more of a backup option anyway.
They Steelers have made major moves at both WR and S but need to continue adding at both. S Jaquan Brisker is reportedly signing but to just a one-year deal. Jalen Ramsey will still be under contract but turns 32 next season and is overpriced at his new safety position. The Steelers need to ensure the future of the position as well as additional depth for the 2026 season.
With DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. on the roster for the foreseeable future, the Steelers are better off than they previously were at wide receiver. But Mike McCarthy’s system features the position much more than Arthur Smith ever did, and Pittsburgh just lost Calvin Austin III, Adam Thielen, and likely Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Metcalf, Pittman, Roman Wilson, and Ben Skowronek are nowhere near enough for McCarthy’s system. Expect another two or three additions this offseason.
The Steelers met with many of the top safeties, cornerbacks, and wide receivers at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, but curiously did not meet with Vega Ioane or many of the other top guards. Perhaps they expected Seumalo’s market to be cheaper.
If you take Fittipaldo’s list at face value, here are a handful of players who could be considered at pick No. 21.
– WR Makai Lemon
– WR Denzel Boston
– WR Carnell Tate
– WR Jordyn Tyson
– WR KC Concepcion
– WR Omar Cooper Jr.
– S Caleb Downs
– S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
– S Dillon Thieneman
– OL Vega Ioane
– OL Spencer Fano
– OL Kadyn Proctor
Many of those players will be off the board when the Steelers are on the clock at No. 21, but they should have their pick of at least two or three on that list if their mind is set on those three positions. Alternatively, they can use some of their 12 draft picks to move up for a player they really covet.
If not in the first round, cornerback should still be a top priority to add youth and depth. The Steelers met with plenty at the Combine to back that idea up, and it’s a top-heavy draft at the position.
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