Perfect Picks 2026 – Pittsburgh Steelers
By Rhys Knott
Mike Tomlin didn’t decide to step away from the Steelers by accident. He understands the size of the rebuild they need and realises he doesn’t have the energy required. Whether or not Mike McCarthy, who is nine years older than Tomlin, has the energy is a whole other question.
The main areas the Steelers need to address in the offseason are the defensive backfield and the offensive line. But a wide receiver or two would be a bonus too.
The Steelers had the best pass-blocking offensive line in 2025 (partly because Aaron Rodgers knows when to throw the ball away instead of taking sacks), but they only ranked 18th in the league for run blocking. By the end of the regular season, the Steelers’ run attack ranked 26th overall. That is going to be a problem for a new head coach who wants to commit to the run.
The defense was an even bigger issue in 2025. The Steelers’ pass defense ranked 29th!
The problems don’t end there. Outside D.K. Metcalf and new arrival Michael Pittman Jr. the Steelers’ current receiving corps only caught 25 passes during the 2025 regular season (and there are eight of them)!
This Perfect Picks article explores what an ideal draft could look like if the board breaks the right way. Rather than predicting draft weekend outcomes, the focus is on fit, value, and long-term roster construction, identifying prospects who align with the team’s needs at each stage of the draft.
The selections below account for scheme, roster holes, and realistic draft ranges, moving from early-round building blocks to mid-round value and late-round upside.
Round 1 – Vega Ioane (G, Penn State)
The Steelers might have used two of their last three first-round picks on offensive linemen, but that’s no reason to stop now. Not only did the 2025 offense rank 26th when it came to running the ball, they also allowed 31 QB Hits in 18 games.
Only five offensive lines allowed fewer hits, but when your quarterback is 43 this year, the next hit could be his last. Now Isaac Seumalo has departed in free agency, Penn State guard Vega Ioane is the perfect replacement.
The first team All-American hasn’t allowed a sack in his last two seasons, and he’s played 27 games in his last two seasons! Pittsburgh will need a slice of luck for the best guard in the draft to fall to them, though.
On tape, Vega looks stronger than anyone he played against in college. NFL defenders are always stronger than their college counterparts, but Vega’s got a head start on the physicality. Even when pass rushers think they are winning at the point of contact, he has the power to absorb the impact and shift the momentum.
Tongan-born Vega’s footwork makes him a joy to watch in the run game. Not only does he move defensive linemen with ease, opening running lanes for his back, he also pulls. And absolutely no one wants to block a 336-pounder who has built up a head of steam!
Round 2 – Deion Burks (WR, Oklahoma)
The easiest way to make Will Howard’s (or Aaron Rodgers’) NFL life easier would be to draft Carnell Tate, but he’ll be long gone by the time their 53rd pick rolls around (he’ll be gone before their 21st overall pick).
Unless the Steelers have had enough of D.K. Metcalf and trade him for an extra first-round pick, they’ll have to make do with Deion Burks.
Oklahoma receiver Burks is an excitement machine, and Steelers fans didn’t have nearly enough excitement in 2025, even with Metcalf on the field.
Pittsburgh’s 26 passing touchdowns are 11 more than the last-place Jets, but 20 behind the league-leading Rams! And while 11 different Steelers caught touchdown passes in 2025, no one caught more than six.
Even with a coach who wants to run the ball, whoever is under centre in Pittsburgh needs a consistent redzone threat. Burks caught 24% of the Sooners’ touchdown passes in his senior year, and he accounted for 20% of their receiving yards!
Mid Round Gem – Kage Casey (OT, Boise State)
If the Steelers are looking to bolster their offensive line in the mid rounds, Casey will be the perfect solution. The Boise State lineman is either a late first-round pick or a sixth-round pick, depending on whom you ask!
Casey ranked third amongst tackles playing FBS football in 2025, playing 947 snaps for Boise State. He didn’t allow a sack all season, earning a 99.3 pass blocking efficiency grade!
The 22-year-old achieved a 90.4 rating against Eastern Washington in Week 2, which is a vast improvement from the 39.8 rating he achieved back in Week 1 of the 2023 season against the Washington Huskies. That’s what makes him the perfect project pick and not a first-rounder.
Late Round Sleeper – Tacario Davis (CB, Washington)
Big 12 officials are pretty liberal when it comes to defensive pass interference, and Tacario Davis took advantage as an Arizona Wildcat. The cornerback loves a bit of “hand fighting”; that’s something he will have to refine as a pro.
Physical defender Davis is 6-foot-4, so he doesn’t need to battle receivers while the ball is in the air. He just needs to be close enough to stretch out a long arm.
Full Draft
21 (R1) – Vega Ioane (G, Penn State)
53 (R2) – Deion Burks (WR, Oklahoma)
76 (R3) – Connor Lew (IOL, Auburn)
85 (R3) – Zakee Wheatley (S, Penn State)
99 (R3) – Ted Hurst (WR, Georgia State)
121 (R4) – Kage Casey (OT, Boise State)
135 (R4) – Bryce Lance (WR, North Dakota State)
159 (R5) – Tacario Davis (CB, Washington)
213 (R6) – Max Llewellyn (EDGE, Iowa)
214 (R6) – Vinny Anthony II (WR, Wisconsin)
224 (R7) – Ethan Onianwa (IOL, Ohio State)
237 (R7) – Seydou Traore (TE, Southern Mississippi)
RHYS KNOTT
NFL/FANTASY FOOTBALL ANALYST
Rhys has been watching the NFL for 30 something years and still hasn’t managed to pick a team to support. When he’s not fixatED on pass rushers you can find him blithering on about most sports on Twitter @wrhys_writes