A few weeks ago, most of us were looking forward to key AFC North matchups and the potential of a home playoff game, but those vibes changed quickly following two consecutive ugly losses.
Which can only
mean one thing – it’s mock draft season again!
Here’s who some of the top analysts have the Steelers drafting:
Justin Melo – The Draft Network
QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
“Garrett Nussmeier is no longer in the No. 1 overall conversation, with injuries derailing his performance ceiling this year. I’m not totally ready to admit defeat on Nussmeier’s first-round prospects, however. The Pittsburgh Steelers will probably be drafting fairly late given Aaron Rodgers’ current form, but they’ll still need a replacement for the 41-year-old quarterback.”
Mike Renner – CBS Sports
WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
“I have Tate going here, but if he continues the way he’s played through the playoffs, he’s going much higher than this. He’s a true No. 1 receiver, even if he isn’t for his own offense with Jeremiah Smith on the other side of him. He’s caught 34 balls for 587 yards and six scores this season.”
Charlie Campbell – Walter Football
OT Kayden Proctor, Alabama
“The Steelers can’t block, so they may try to resolve that problem with this pick. Kayden Proctor is a colossal, 360-pound blocker. He has great potential, but has some character concerns.”
Lou Scataglia – NFL Spinzone
QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
“The Pittsburgh Steelers again feel like a good team and nothing more – they’ll need to find a long-term QB solution after Aaron Rodgers retires, as GM Omar Khan simply has to take this position more seriously going forward.
“The NFL Draft class doesn’t appear to be all that stacked at the QB position, but Garrett Nussmeier has a lot of desirable tools to be a QB at the NFL level. And if Rodgers does retire this coming offseason, Pittsburgh could always pursue a veteran QB to serve as a bridge for a year or so.”
“For years now, Pittsburgh has won just enough to get into the playoffs but haven’t been able to make any progress when there. It’s apparently the team’s new standard, but most of us can see why that isn’t sustainable.”
“Maybe 2026 could be when the franchise grabs a first-round QB.”
Ian Cummings – Pro Football Network
CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
“Unexpected circumstances have positioned the Steelers as the favorites to win the AFC North and secure a postseason berth in 2025, but there’s still work to do before this team is a sustained contender year in and year out. Adding youth at CB is one such key.”
“Joey Porter Jr. has struggled at times, and Darius Slay is a short-term rental. In this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, I targeted a CB who resembles Slay: Jermod McCoy. McCoy hasn’t played in 2025, but his 2024 tape is elite and showcases his man-coverage prowess.“
My thoughts
I can’t believe this is where we’re at, but as of today, the Steelers should absolutely prioritize their secondary early, which is why McCoy is my favorite pick of the bunch.
Darius Slay is toast, Joey Porter Jr. hasn’t improved in three seasons, and Jalen Ramsey isn’t getting any younger and has been very Jekyll and Hyde so far this season.
Coming into the season, 9 out of 10 mocks would have had the Steelers selecting their future signal-caller, given the likely stop-gap Aaron Rodgers – but they’ll likely now be on their hands and knees begging him to come back.
That also has to do with the declining quality of the class. Nussmeier, who appears on this list twice, has been incredibly disappointing, and his stock continues to decline.
All in all, we’ve obviously got a long way to go. But the fact that mocks are back on our minds is certainly a bad sign in the Steel City.
