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Mock Draft Monday: Making the Steelers’ 12 picks post-free agency

The main period of NFL free agency is behind us, meaning mock drafts are starting to get just a little bit more accurate.

The Steelers are still in the single digits when it comes to their pre-draft visits — usually the strongest indicator of team interest in prospects — but we do have a better idea of which team needs have been somewhat remedied (wide receiver, cornerback, etc.) and which ones remain (left guard, quarterback?) after a flurry of signings last week.

For this mock draft exercise, I used Pro Football Sports Network’s simulator using the consensus board, which felt fairly accurate; it was last updated March 13.

With the intro out of the way, let’s dive into a whopping 12 picks:

1.21 Penn State OG Olaivavega Ioane

PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 29: Olaivavega Ioane #71 of the Penn State Nittany Lions looks on against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Piscataway, New Jersey. The Penn State Nittany Lions defeated the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 40-36. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

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Some might complain about using another first-round pick in the trenches, but the Steelers’ biggest remaining need is left guard and a player of Ioane’s caliber sitting right there at No. 21 was too good to pass up. I’d still hope the Steelers still grab a veteran who can at least start in a pinch at this spot in free agency, but Ioane is a long-term fix who should be able to slide into the lineup early.

Ioane îs seen by many as the top guard in the class depending on which offensive tackle prospects you project to slide inside. He isn’t the greatest athlete for his position, but has all the tools to be a longtime NFL starter — and his technique and strength should translate right away. I’m a big fan of Ioane, and as a Penn State star he’s certainly on Pittsburgh’s radar.

2.53 Alabama WR Germie Bernard

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 18: Wide receiver Germie Bernard #5 of the Alabama Crimson Tide prior to their game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)

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Bernard isn’t the flashiest pick, but he’ll be able to contribute right away as the WR3 in the Steelers’ offense. He has prototypical size and speed, but his strongest trait might be his reliability. I’m doing this exercise expecting Aaron Rodgers to return in 2026, and Bernard’s NFL-ready play style should help him see the field faster than past Day 2 skill position players such as Roman Wilson and Kaleb Johnson.

Bernard has a bit more yards after catch ability than you might expect, which is a nice addition to the Steelers’ offense that needs more explosives. He’s a capable route runner who can play in the slot and the outside with solid hands — and he can block. Bernard instantly raises the floor of the Steelers’ wide receiver room.

3.76 Penn State S Zakee Wheatley

PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 29: Zakee Wheatley #6 of the Penn State Nittany Lions looks on against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Piscataway, New Jersey. The Penn State Nittany Lions defeated the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 40-36. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

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The Steelers nab another Nittany Lion here, this time adding an archetype the team’s safety room is still lacking. DeShon Elliott and Jaquan Brisker are good starters who excel coming downhill, but Wheatley adds some range as a true free safety, ideally freeing up Jalen Ramsey to play in the slot and make a greater impact in 2026.

Wheatley is 24, but he’s a big and athletic and not afraid of collisions.

3.85 Georgia State WR Ted Hurst

Nov 1, 2024; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Georgia State Panthers wide receiver Ted Hurst (16) makes a touchdown catch against the Connecticut Huskies in the second quarter at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

David Butler II-Imagn Images

Germie Bernard is the safe pick at wide receiver. Hurst is the upside selection. He’s a big (6’4, 206 pounds), lanky deep threat who ran in the low 4.4s at the NFL Combine. There are some inconsistencies in his game and his low level of completion at Georgia State is a real concern, but the ceiling is a George Pickens-esque weapon although Hurst doesn’t quite have the same unreal body control.

Hurst gives the Steeler offense the deep threat it currently lacks outside of DK Metcalf. If that’s all he brings, the team’s top three of Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., and Bernard will still be just fine in 2026. But if Hurst reaches his potential, the Pittsburgh wide receiver room will be set for the next several seasons.

3.99 Syracuse DT Domonique Orange

STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 29: Defensive lineman Domonique Orange #95 of the Iowa State Cyclones rushes against the Oklahoma State Cowboys late in the fourth quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Iowa State won 20-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

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I’ve been purposefully avoiding names I selected in my last BTSC mock draft. But Orange, available at the bottom of the top 100 here, was too good of value to leave off the board.

After signing Sebastian Joseph-Day in free agency, the Steelers’ defensive line rotation is in good shape entering the new season. Still, Orange adds one more solid name to the room, where he can develop behind Cam Heyward and Derrick Harmon. He’s a big run-stuffer who can contribute as a nose tackle but has some pass-rushing juice as well.

Orange might not play a ton in 2026, but keep in mind that Heyward, Joseph-Day, and even Keeanu Benton aren’t necessarily going to be with the Steelers for many more seasons. Always keep investing in the D-line.

4.121 LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 08: Garrett Nussmeier #18 of the LSU Tigers in action against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 08, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Gus Stark/University Images via Getty Images}

The Steelers had a strong free agency and filled most of their obvious holes. I was able to shore up what I saw as the most important spots — trenches, wide receiver, and secondary — in the first five picks, meaning I was comfortable using the rest on depth and “swings.”

And with LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier dropping all the way to the fourth round, I was willing to take the risk.

Nussmeier didn’t have the 2025 season many thought he would, but he’s still one of my favorite Day 2 quarterbacks in this year’s class. He’s undersized at 6’2. He’s inconsistent. But the arm talent is better than most give him credit for, and when he’s at his best, his gunslinger style of play is electric. I haven’t sold all my Nussmeier stock just yet.

Again, assuming Aaron Rodgers returns in 2026, the Steelers quarterback room looks a bit weird now. Nussmeier will be battling with Mason Rudolph and Will Howard for the final two spots, and maybe there’s a repeat of the team’s 2018 offseason where the veteran backup is cut in favor of two youngsters. Aaron Rodgers doesn’t need a grizzled mentor — you can stash one on the practice squad.

Maybe Nussmeier and Howard never get a chance to prove themselves before the Steelers go after a big fish quarterback in 2027, but both are Day 3 selections, respectively. It’s still worth taking a swing when the team has 12 picks this season. If some don’t pan out, we’ll get over it.

4.131 Stephen F. Austin CB Charles Demmings

Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks defensive back Charles Demmings (21) intercepts a pass as Jacksonville State Gamecocks take on Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks during the FCS Kickoff at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022. Jacksonville State Gamecocks lead Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks 21-17.

Another small school standout after Hurst, Demmings is a physical, ball-hawking cornerback who had four interceptions in 2025. He’s 6’1, 193 pounds and ran a 4.41-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Once again, the small school competition is a valid question, but I love Demmings’ attitude as a player and he has the fluidity and athleticism to make the NFL jump.

Keep in mind the Steelers shored up their cornerback room in free agency, giving Demmings time to develop.

5.161 TCU LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 19: Kaleb Elarms-Orr #3 of the TCU Horned Frogs celebrates after a sack in the first half against the Utah Utes at Rice Eccles Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images

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Inside linebacker remains a strange position group for the Steelers after the team re-signed Cole Holcomb and kept Malik Harrison on the roster. The group looked like it needed some new talent after last season, but there just don’t appear to be any spots available.

Still, injuries could strike or the team could decide to make a cut. In the fifth round I don’t mind drafting some additional depth.

Elarms-Orr is a player I wasn’t the most aware of this draft cycle, but I’ve recently become a fan. He’s a wrecking ball coming downhill, obliterating pass-protecting running backs while blitzing — which is a big plus in Patrick Graham’s sim pressure-heavy scheme. Elarms-Orr is more of a run-stuffer at this point, but he tested with a 9.92 RAS (no agility scores, to be fair), showing the potential athleticism to hold up in the NFL.

6.216 Boston College EDGE Quintayvious Hutchins

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 07: Boston College Eagles defensive end Quintayvious Hutchins (15) during a game between the Boston College Eagles and the Duquesne Dukes on September 7, 2024, at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Outside linebacker is the Steelers’ strongest position this year, but I’ve warmed up to the idea of taking one sometime on Day 3 if Pittsburgh does end up using most of its 12 picks. Edge rushers are the engine of the Steelers’ defense, and if the injury bug hits again in 2026, having some depth stashed on the practice squad could be more important than realized.

Plus, if the team doesn’t keep the trio of TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig long term — which is certainly possible — stashing some developmental players early could help with that transition.

Hutchins is light for the position, but he wins with impressive bend and solid play strength. If he pans out, he would complement Jack Sawyer’s skill set down the road.

7.224 Missouri OT Keagen Trost

COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 15: Missouri Tigers offensive lineman Keagen Trost (79) in the first quarter of an SEC football game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and Missouri Tigers on November 15, 2025 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

There are questions as to whether or not Trost will have to move inside to guard in the pros, but he’s a solidly-built offensive line prospect with great strength and solid mobility. An exceptionally competent college right tackle, he’s a nice name to add to the mix as the Steelers sort out their O-line depth for 2026.

Trost will be a 25-year-old rookie, but I really like his film. At a position where it’s tough to find quality depth, that makes him more than worth a seventh-round pick.

7.230 Penn State TE Khalil Dinkins

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 01: Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Khalil Dinkins (16) in action during the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Ohio State Buckeyes on November 1, 2025, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

I swear I didn’t mean to take this many Penn State players, but the Steelers needed a TE3 with one of their Day 3 picks, and Dinkins is one of the team’s pre-draft visits. The connection made a little too much sense.

Dinkins is one of several Day 3 tight ends who weren’t exactly stars in college but could find roles in the NFL. He’ll likely have to bulk up a bit at the next level, but he’s a steady player and plus blocker who can hold a spot on the bottom of an NFL roster.

7.237 Oklahoma RB Jaydn Ott

NORMAN, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 4: Running back Jaydn Ott #0 of the Oklahoma Sooners fends off free safety DJ Barnes #19 of the Kent State Golden Flashes on a 14-yard catch and run in the second quarter at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on October 4, 2025 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma won 44-0. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

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Like outside linebacker, running back is far from a need for the Steelers, but the team is just one injury away from wishing it had some additional talent on the practice squad. Ott was once a big name in college football when he was the star back at Cal, but he never cracked the Oklahoma depth chart after a 2025 transfer, finishing his last season with just 68 yards.

However, Ott was a standout at the 2026 Senior Bowl, showing he still had some of the old version of himself back.

Testing with sub-4.5 speed, Ott has some big play potential. Once a 1,305-yard rusher as a sophomore, he’s worth a flier with the Steelers’ last pick in the draft.

How would you rate this draft? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments below!

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