Vega Ioane Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Draft
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Fox Sports's Rob Rang projected the Pittsburgh Steelers to trade up in front of the Baltimore Ravens to snag Penn State offensive lineman Vega Ioane.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will make their selection in the first round after the Baltimore Ravens thanks to their dramatic Week 18 victory over their archrival. But there’s no rule against the Steelers moving up the 2026 NFL Draft board in the first round to still make a pick before Baltimore.
Fox Sports’s Rob Rang proposed that exact scenario in a new 2026 NFL mock draft this week.
Rang pitched the Steelers move up eight spots to grab one of the best offensive linemen in the draft — Penn State’s Vega Ioane.
The leap up the board for the Steelers would accomplish two things. First, the Steelers are getting a player from one of the most popular local colleges.
Secondly, the Steelers would grab a prospect the Ravens very well could take with the next pick at No. 14.
“While a gamble on Alabama QB Ty Simpson would make some Steelers fans happy, an investment in the trenches would seemingly be more Pittsburgh’s style, especially if it was done to steal a local fan favorite from Baltimore, the hated divisional rival picking next (who is also thought to view Ioane highly),” wrote Rang. “The rugged Ioane would be an upgrade over free-agent defection Isaac Seumalo and perhaps offer a comfy enough pocket for Aaron Rodgers to return.
“Trading away two of the five picks the Steelers currently have between Nos. 76 and 161 overall would probably be enough to convince the Rams it’s worth trading back.”
Why Steelers Could Trade Up for Penn State’s Vega Ioane
Vega Ioane Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Draft
GettyFox Sports’s Rob Rang projected the Pittsburgh Steelers to trade up in front of the Baltimore Ravens to snag Penn State offensive lineman Vega Ioane.
A lot of pundits might argue that an aggressive jump up the draft board for a guard isn’t great positional value. In Pittsburgh’s case, though, they have the draft capital to use.
The Steelers own a league-high 12 picks in the 2026 class. After a strong free agency period, the team’s biggest remaining need (besides quarterback, of course) is arguably left guard.
Trading up for Ioane would get the Steelers one of the top guards in the 2026 draft. It also would prevent that prospect from going to Baltimore.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah ranked Ioane the best interior lineman and No. 11 prospect in the 2026 draft. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. rated Ioane second among guards and No. 18 overall.
“Prototypical guard for physical run schemes with thick limbs, a broad frame and plus core strength. Ioane plays with excellent contact balance and technique on both base blocks and double teams,” wrote NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein. “He uses his hips and hands for leverage and displacement when drive blocking.
“However, he lacks athleticism and foot quickness to operate effectively as a move blocker. He pass sets with good posture and a firm punch and can anchor against power.
“Though quicker at a lighter weight in 2025, he will struggle with twitchy interior defenders who cross his face in the run game and attack his edges in protection. Despite scheme dependence, Ioane projects as an early starter with a high floor.”
Steelers Depth at Guard in 2026 NFL Offseason
Brock Hoffman
GettyThe Pittsburgh Steelers signed interior lineman Brock Hoffman during NFL free agency.
The Steelers lost starting left guard Isaac Seumalo in NFL free agency. Not only was Seumalo a three-year starter in Pittsburgh, but he was the most experienced lineman on the Steelers front last season.
The Steelers added former Dallas Cowboys interior lineman Brock Hoffman in free agency to help replace Seumalo. But Hoffman appears better served in a reserve, complementary role rather than a starter.
If the season started today, Spencer Anderson would likely start at left guard for Pittsburgh.
Ioane would present a potential upgrade. He could also be the final piece of the Steelers offensive line puzzle that the team has been assembling this decade.
Pittsburgh drafted tackles Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu both in the first round of the 2023 and 2024 drafts, respectively. The Steelers also grabbed center Zach Frazier and right guard Mason McCormick in the 2024 draft.