New head coach Mike McCarthy has ushered in an offseason of change for the Pittsburgh Steelers. A new coaching staff, a new vision for how they want to be built, and new players targeted in free agency and via trade. Soon, that will include a new way the organization drafts.
It might not be much different in the end with GM Omar Khan still calling the shots. But with McCarthy at the helm as head coach, the Steelers could target different players and go in different directions in the draft than they did with Mike Tomlin.
For NFL.com’s Matt Okada, there are clear expectations for McCarthy and the Steelers in his first draft. Okada laid out those expectations for the Steelers and McCarthy, along with the six other franchises working with new head coaches.
“Whether or not [Aaron] Rodgers returns, Pittsburgh will likely look to add a quarterback in the draft. Alabama’s Ty Simpson, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, or Miami’s Carson Beck (Chad Reuter’s mock pick at 85th overall) could all be considerations,” Okada writes of the Steelers under McCarthy. “The Steelers also need to upgrade the offensive line to unlock more time in the pocket, especially after the departure of LG Isaac Seumalo. And with the likely shift to wider formations and more 11 personnel, they may want to find a legitimate third wideout to complement DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr.
“NFL IQ’s mock draft aggregator identifies wide receiver as Pittsburgh’s most selected position and connects it to players such as Denzel Boston, Makai Lemon, and KC Concepcion in the first round.”
There is a lot of buzz regarding quarterbacks and the Steelers in the 2026 NFL Draft, though not in the first round. While Pittsburgh did a lot of work on Alabama’s Ty Simpson throughout the year, they didn’t send Khan or McCarthy to Alabama’s Pro Day. Names like LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, Penn State’s Drew Allar, and Miami (FL)’s Carson Beck all make sense on Day 2 in the third round, where the Steelers have three draft picks.
Beck is drawing the most buzz at the moment, thanks to Todd McShay’s report. The Steelers also hosted Beck for an official pre-draft visit. He brings much experience as a longtime starter at Georgia who played with the Hurricanes in 2025, leading them to the national championship game.
He fits the prototypical size and play style that McCarthy tends to look for.
Outside of quarterback, the Steelers have some holes to fill. They must address the left side of the offensive line after losing Isaac Seumalo in free agency, and Broderick Jones’ health is a major question. Receiver is a major need, too, even after trading for Michael Pittman Jr.
The Steelers can go in several directions in the first round and feel good about it, and Day 2 offers a chance to really clean up with four picks. We’ll see what the Steelers do in the draft as they shape the roster to fit McCarthy’s vision.
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