Mock Draft Season is rolling along in full force across the NFL media landscape, especially as the NFL Owners meetings in Arizona are coming to an end, and just a few weeks separates the league from the start of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
For the Pittsburgh Steelers under GM Omar Khan and assistant GM Andy Weidl, all the vital information regarding the players in the draft class is gathered. Now, it’s about setting the draft boards, and hosting a few more players for official pre-draft visits to get to know them a bit better, helping shape that board.
Right now though, from a roster perspective, it’s clear what positions the Steelers need to address after a busy offseason.
In the latest three-round mock draft from ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., Field Yates, Jordan Reid, and Matt Miller, which saw the analysts alternate picks, the Steelers came away with players that address those needs, and even double-dipped on Penn State products, too.
In the three-round mock, the Steelers came away with the following players:
Round 1 – Olaivavega Ioane, iOL, Penn State
Round 2 – Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee
Round 3 – A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU
Round 3 – Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
Round 3 – Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State
The left side of the offensive line and wide receiver remain key needs for the Steelers, while quarterback is a clear area of need as well as the franchise continues to wait on a decision from Aaron Rodgers, though talks sound like they are progressing and trending in a positive direction.
Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane has been a popular name connected to the Steelers throughout the process, especially with the Steelers losing left guard Isaac Seumalo in free agency to the Arizona Cardinals.
Like he did in his latest mock draft, Kiper paired the Steelers with Ioane once they came on the board at No. 21 overall.
“Let’s assume Aaron Rodgers is coming back to town and wait on the QBs. Instead, here is the Steelers’ Isaac Seumalo replacement,” Kiper writes of the selection. “Ioane is a powerful people mover who hasn’t allowed a sack since 2023.”
Ioane is arguably the best offensive lineman in the draft class, and while guard isn’t as valuable as tackle, pushing him down some boards from a selection standpoint, he’s a plug-and-play guy that could be an All-Pro talent in the trenches. That would bolster the left side of the offensive line in a hurry.
In the second round, Kiper had the Steelers’ pick once again, and paired the Steelers with Tennessee WR Chris Brazzell, a height/weight/speed guy that can take the top off of defenses with his 4.37 40-yard dash time.
“Not enough value on the QB3 candidates here, so I’m going to continue building up the rest of the offense. Brazzell is 6-foot-4 with 4.37 speed and really good hands,” Kiper writes of the Brazzell selection. “DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr. and Brazzell could be a dangerous pass-catching trio.”
On paper, that looks like a great receiver room for the Steelers. Brazzell can do a bit of everything, which would complement Metcalf and Pittman well. He’s been connected to the Steelers at times, including in Miller’s latest seven-round mock draft, where he paired Brazzell with the Steelers in the third round.
In this mock draft, safety, quarterback and defensive line were addressed with the three third-rounders Pittsburgh holds.
At No. 76 overall, Yates paired the Steelers with LSU safety A.J. Haulcy, strengthening the position group, before Kiper then swung big on quarterback at No. 85, landing Penn State’s Drew Allar.
Drew Allar measured in at 6’5”, 228lbs and has the BIGGEST ARM in the 2026 NFL Draft, and one of the biggest we’ve ever seen
Footwork is inconsistent and the accuracy is bad, but the physical tools constitute an intriguing long-term project at QB pic.twitter.com/j9sxTFb608
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 28, 2026
“OK, the QB board is finally lining up for the Steelers. Allar is coming off that ankle injury, but he has upside,” Kiper writes of Allar. “And he has the size we’ve seen under center in Pittsburgh; at 6-foot-5 and 228 pounds, his frame reminds of Ben Roethlisberger.
“If Aaron Rodgers is back, Allar can learn from a legend. If not, he could potentially compete with Mason Rudolph and Will Howard.”
While the Steelers have spoken highly about Will Howard all offseason, and have left the door open for a Rodgers return, McCarthy did hint during his media sessions at the owners meetings that he hopes there is a quarterback there for the franchise to take a shot on.
Allar has all the tools, but he did come up small consistently in big games at Penn State, and his season-ending leg injury in 2025 capped off a rough year for the Nittany Lions. Still, he has the big, strong arm, moves well and has the prototypical build at the position that McCarthy and Khan could covet as a potential AFC North quarterback.
Rounding out the draft, Reid paired the Steelers with Florida State’s Darnell Jackson Jr., adding size and strength to a defensive line room that continues to look very good on paper.
Overall, this would be a solid first three rounds for the Steelers. The guard selection of Ioane isn’t flashy, but it’s necessary, while Brazzell adds serious speed to the receiver room. After that, taking a chance on Allar and adding depth in key defensive positions with Haulcy and Jackson are good opportunities for the Steelers.
Related Items:2026 NFL Draft, A.J. Haulcy, Chris Brazzell II, Darrell Jackson Jr., Drew Allar, ESPN, Field Yates, Jordan Reid, Matt Miller, Mel Kiper Jr., Olaivavega Ioane, Pittsburgh Steelers, Trending
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