The 2026 NFL Draft is almost upon us. As teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers work their way through Pro Days and pre-draft visits, the mock drafts are flying fast and furious. Each time a new one drops, people want to see who the Steelers will take.
Will they take a wide receiver with their first pick? Could they fall in love with a quarterback and take one at 21st overall? What about a playmaking safety? Well, in Josh Edwards’ latest seven-round mock for CBSSports.com, the Steelers don’t go in any of those directions. Instead, Edwards has the Steelers shoring up the offensive line.
Round 1, Pick 21: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Kadyn Proctor is certainly gaining steam as the Steelers’ first-round pick in mock drafts in recent weeks. Even NFL.com’s Eric Edholm tabbed Proctor as “an ideal pick” for the Steelers. No doubt the Steelers would love to have long-term stability at left tackle to continue the youth movement on the offensive line.
“The team could consider a quarterback here but may feel burned by how the Kenny Pickett situation played out,” Edwards wrote about the pick. “Mike McCarthy has a history of drafting and sitting young quarterbacks, though. As it stands, the Steelers address a glaring need at offensive tackle by replacing the player who replaced Dan Moore Jr.”
Our very own Ryan Paglia took a look at Proctor’s tape, and he came away impressed by what Proctor does at his size (360 pounds). Proctor could potentially slot in at left guard at his size, but he started the last three years at Alabama at left tackle. Paglia thinks he should slim down slightly if he wants to play left tackle in the NFL so he can handle speed rushers better. However, his blend of speed, power and movement at 360 pounds warrants plenty of consideration.
Round 2, Pick 53: CB D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana
The Steelers again addressed concerns in the secondary during free agency. At outside corner, they added Jamel Dean. There is still the matter of slot corner, though. That’s where D’Angelo Ponds comes in. It would be an adjustment for him as he has only taken 28 snaps in the slot in his college career. However, he doesn’t have the prototypical size to play on the outside.
“D’Angelo Ponds is a technically proficient and feisty future NFL slot-nickel cornerback who plays above his height and weight,” Our very own Jim Hester wrote in his film breakdown on Ponds. “He’s at his best when he can jam and re-route receivers at the line of scrimmage. He has the recovery speed to carry receivers downfield. Technically, he’s one of the better cornerbacks you’ll see in college. However, his obvious physical deficiencies can hinder his usage against bigger wide receivers and in the run game against 12-13 personnel scheme packages.”
Round 3, Pick 76: QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
The Steelers certainly have done some homework on the quarterbacks in this class. While at the time of writing, the Steelers had not brought Garrett Nussmeier in for a visit, beat writer Mark Kaboly expects that to happen shortly.
If the Steelers did draft Nussmeier, they definitely are in the camp that his 2025 struggles are due to injury, not lack of quarterback talent. Plus, Nussmeier fits into Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy’s West Coast background well. When our very own Alex Kozora broke down Nussmeier’s film, he saw a quarterback who can attack the middle of the field and make quick throws.
Round 3, Pick 85: LB Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh
The Steelers could certainly look to address inside linebacker in this draft. There were plenty of rumors that LB Patrick Queen was going to be cut or traded this offseason, neither of which has happened so far. The Steelers also want to get more production out of the position.
Kyle Louis certainly could help the Steelers in coverage. In 35 career games, Louis snagged six interceptions and broke up another 12 passes. He even stepped into the slot for 271 snaps in 2025. That coverage ability shows up in the film, according to our very own Nate Kosko. However, Kosko thinks that Louis might be better suited to playing at a different position than linebacker.
“Kyle Louis spent his entire career at linebacker, but should move to safety in the NFL due to his zone coverage awareness and lack of play strength when fitting the run,” Kosko wrote. “He is a versatile player who will do whatever teams ask of him and do it well. He is a high-motor athlete who prides himself on his football IQ, shown in his ability to affect the timing of plays by getting in zone windows.”
Will Louis make the switch in the NFL? Or are the Steelers starting to look for smaller, faster linebackers? The Steelers have brought in three linebackers for pre-draft visits, and all three of them are smaller than you’d expect from a typical inside linebacker.
Round 3, Pick 99: WR De’Zhaun Stribling, Ole Miss
Up until this point, the Steelers haven’t addressed the problem that is the bare cupboard known as the wide receiver depth chart. Yes, the Steelers traded for WR Michael Pittman Jr. this offseason. However, behind DK Metcalf and Pittman, there is a noticeable lack of proven NFL players and high-end talent. However, Edwards has them wait until the tail end of the third round before drafting De’Zhaun Stribling. The Steelers had a formal meeting with Stribling at the NFL Scouting Combine, according to him.
In 2025, Stribling caught 55 passes for 811 yards (14.7 yards per catch) and six touchdowns. For his career, he caught 136 passes for 2,964 yards and 23 touchdowns. He would bring an explosive element to the offense. Jim Hester’s film breakdown of Stribling shows that he brings physicality both when catching the ball and in the run game. That’s a great combo for a Steelers receiver.
Round 4, Pick 121: CB Tacario Davis, Washington
Edwards has the Steelers double-dipping in the fourth round, attacking the cornerback position again with Tacario Davis. While D’Angelo Ponds profiles as a slot corner, Davis is very much an outside corner. He has prototypical height and length to help cover bigger receivers, which is a positive. The length shows up with 25 pass breakups in 37 career games, too.
Unfortunately, Davis does have his shortcomings, which is why Edwards has him available in the fourth round. Alex Kozora took a look at his film, and he doesn’t see an elite playmaker despite his size and incredible Combine testing.
That’s why Pro Football Focus’ Dalton Wasserman has Davis as a “buyer beware” pick. Wasserman notes that he needs to focus on his technical skills if he wants “to become a consistently reliable starter.” Thankfully, there is plenty physically to coach up, though.
Round 4, Pick 135: DL Rayshaun Benny, Michigan
The Steelers drafted two defensive linemen last year in Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black. However, you can never have too many good defensive linemen, especially as Cam Heyward’s career is winding down. Edwards has the Steelers taking Rayshaun Benny here to continue to build young depth on the line.
Benny didn’t light up the stat sheet at Michigan with 107 total tackles, 12 tackles for a loss and four sacks. However, when Nate Kosko put on Benny’s tape, he saw a consistent and tough player with upside.
“Rayshaun Benny is not a flashy player by any means,” Kosko wrote. “Still, I think he can have a long, productive career as an early-down defensive lineman, with room to grow his pass-rushing skills. His discipline when fitting gaps will put him on the field, and he will not light up the stat sheet. But NFL teams will crave his productive run defense, paired with the ability to line up anywhere on the field.
“If he improves his pass-rush ability, he can be a starter. But right now, he serves best as a run-stopping lineman who will give his all on every play.”
Round 5, Pick 161: S Michael Taaffe, Texas
If the Steelers did opt to move LB Kyle Louis back to safety, this pick would qualify as a double-dip. Either way, Michael Taaffe has plenty of experience playing free safety, a position the Steelers need to address. However, he’s available in Round 5 because he hasn’t been a big-time playmaker in the passing game.
Taaffe has made an impact as a tackler with 222 tackles and 9.5 tackles for a loss in 53 games. However, he only has seven career interceptions, a number that you’d like to see higher as a free safety. Alex Kozora took a look at his tape, and he sees a player who offers versatility if not high-upside play and good potential on special teams. Not bad for a fifth-round pick.
Round 6, Pick 216: WR Cyrus Allen, Cincinnati
This is definitely a double-dip at wide receiver from Edwards. Now, Cyrus Allen isn’t a household name. However, he did have a good year for the Cincinnati Bearcats in 2025 with 51 catches for 674 yards and 13 touchdowns. That was by far a career high in touchdowns for Allen, who previously spent two seasons at Louisiana Tech and one year at Texas A &M. For his career, he caught 137 passes for 2,221 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Trevor Sikkema, formerly of Pro Football Focus, was impressed by Allen down at the Senior Bowl this year. He noted that Allen was showing off good route-running skills, which is always a good thing in Mike McCarthy’s offense. However, in the clip Sikkema shared, Allen won by high-pointing a contested ball in the end zone.
Man, Cincinnati WR Cyrus Allen has been so good this week. I’ve been really impressed with his quickness and separation route running, but now he’s showing off with catches like this in the red zone
Arrow pointing very high for him pic.twitter.com/H9Wreea58O
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 29, 2026
Round 7, Pick 224: RB Roman Hemby, Indiana
Another double-dip in a way, Edwards has the Steelers go back to the national champion Indiana Hoosiers, this time grabbing RB Roman Hemby. Hemby led the Hoosiers in rushing in 2025 with 1,120 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 4.9 yards per carry. He also chipped in 17 catches for 165 yards.
Hemby possesses quick feet and can make players miss while offering good pass-catching skills. However, when Alex Kozora looked at the tape, Hemby’s lack of pass-protection abilities did show up.
“Hemby is a one-cut runner and one of the draft’s best receiving backs,” Kozora wrote. “On paper, that could carve out a third down role. But his issues in pass protection throw a major wrench into that plan. It doesn’t look like he’s going to get a whole lot better.”
Still, spending a seventh-round pick on a player with 129 career catches and over 1,000 yards receiving as a running back isn’t a bad idea.
Round 7, Pick 230: IOL Alex Harkey, Oregon
Edwards started this mock for the Steelers off with an offensive lineman. Now, he’s going back to the well in the seventh round with OL Alex Harkey. Harkey played right tackle through most of his career, but he projects much better as a guard. When Alex Kozora put on Harkey’s tape, he saw some good plusses in the run game that he could build upon with more practice.
“Overall, Alex Harkey is a well-rounded player and a late bloomer, not playing the position until just a few years ago,” Kozora wrote. “He’s an acceptable athlete but not a special one. Some suggest a move to guard at the next level is a fit. That would make sense in a Duo/Inside zone heavy scheme, and he could become a starter in such a system.”
If the Steelers could coach Harkey up from a seventh-round pick to an eventual starter, that would be really good.
Round 7, Pick 237: LB Jaden Dugger, Louisiana
To cap off the Steelers’ draft, Edwards tabs a hometown product in Jaden Dugger. Dugger went to Penn Hills High School, and he said at the East-West Shrine Bowl that playing for the Steelers was “something I always dreamed of.”
Dugger would bring versatility, playing off-ball linebacker with safety experience, while also flashing some pass-rush ability. In 2025 with the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns, Dugger totaled 125 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, four sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble. He also made plays during the Shrine Bowl, including a heck of an interception during team practice.
Good look at the interception in team session from Penn Hills grad, Pittsburgh native and @RaginCajunsFB product, LB Jaden Dugger.
Can play off ball or on the edge. Former safety, too. pic.twitter.com/p30DwfIkVT
— Josh Carney (@ByJoshCarney) January 25, 2026
Related Items:2026 NFL Draft, 2026 NFL Mock Draft, Alex Harkey, CBSSports.com, Cyrus Allen, D'Angelo Ponds, De'Zhaun Stribling, Garrett Nussmeier, Jaden Dugger, Josh Edwards, Kadyn Proctor, Kyle Louis, Michael Taaffe, Rayshaun Benny, Roman Hemby, Tacario Davis
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