Now that the initial wave of free agency is over, the roster is taking shape for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it’s becoming clearer just what the team needs in the buildup to the 2026 NFL Draft.
Pittsburgh answered a lot of questions in free agency and on the trade market so far under GM Omar Khan, but there is one major need that still needs addressed. It just so happens to be at a position Pittsburgh has invested heavily at in recent years.
That would be the offensive line, specifically left guard at the moment. After losing Isaac Seumalo in free agency, Pittsburgh has a large hole at the position. Spencer Anderson is viewed as a starting-caliber player by Khan, but the Steelers need an upgrade there.
Fortunately, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has just that upgrade.
In his latest mock draft, Kiper paired the Steelers with the best interior offensive lineman in the draft class, that being Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane at No. 21 overall.
“The Steelers’ quarterback situation is still a big question. Will Aaron Rodgers return? Will another veteran step in — such as Kirk Cousins? Or will Pittsburgh target a signal-caller in the draft? No matter what the Steelers plan to do, the top two quarterbacks are off the board here, and there isn’t a third one worthy of a Day 1 selection,” Kiper writes of the Steelers’ selection. “Instead, Pittsburgh can try to replace Isaac Seumalo, who signed with the Cardinals. Ioane is the top pure guard in the class, with the power to physically move pass rushers out of the way and the light feet to erase second-level defenders.
“He didn’t give up any sacks last season.”
While there is a lot of attention on the offensives tackles in the draft class, specifically on the first-round talent, the interior of the offensive line gets overlooked. That’s understandable, considering guard isn’t as valuable a commodity as tackle in today’s NFL.
Ioane can change that thought process moving forward though. He’s not only the best interior offensive lineman in the class, he’s one of the 10 best players in the class, too. Landing him at No. 21 overall would be a major steal for the Steelers, and would allow them to keep adding to the trenches as they build up the unit regardless of who is under center.
Sure, there is still the question about Aaron Rodgers and his future, and how the Steelers will pivot if Rodgers decides to retire. But landing a player like Ioane to step in at left guard and be a potential franchise piece for the next decade is the right call, should he be on the board.
In Kiper’s scenario, Alabama QB Ty Simpson is off the board at No. 16 overall to the New York Jets, taking away a first-round QB option, even though it sounds like the Steelers aren’t in on Simpson. Wide receiver or cornerback could have been the move, too, with USC’s Makai Lemon and Clemson’s Aveion Terrell still on the board at 21, too.
But Ioane would be a great pick for the Steelers. In our scouting report, Tom Mead compared the Penn State standout to Cooper Beebe, which is a fitting comparison. Adding that type of talent up front to a young group could set the foundation for Pittsburgh’s offensive line under new coaches James Campen and Jahri Evans moving forward.
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