The NFL Draft is almost here! Whether you’re doing some last-minute cramming before the draft or using these ranks to follow along over the first two days of the draft, we’ve got you covered. Below are our positional rankings on offense from our three draft experts, Joey Bray, Ryland Bickley, and Ryan Parish. We’ll post our defensive rankings in a separate post.
Quarterbacks
JB: The Steelers have done extensive research into Beck and met with him several times throughout the NFL Draft process. Beck has plenty
of collegiate experience from six years of play and fits the “McCarthy mold” (that’s what I’m calling it anyway) of a guy with long arms and big hands. Although Beck is not known for his mobility, I think the Steelers will be drawn to his ability to read a defense at the line better than most in this class. Beck will play within the system around him, which could explain why Pittsburgh has spent so much time with him. I’m not sure he will ever be a franchise quarterback, but he offers a safe floor in a class of quarterbacks that doesn’t offer a ton of security.
RB: I won’t be surprised in the least if Taylen Green is a bust down the road, but in terms of upside at predicted draft placement, he’s by far the best bang-for-your-buck investment the Steelers could make at quarterback in this draft. Green is very raw and very athletic, but if you watch him, you’ll realize he’s not quite the runner he’s touted as — and there are also a surprising number of throws with elite ball placement on his tape. I didn’t realize how much fun he’d be to watch.
RP: Do I think Cole Payton will be an NFL starter? Not likely, but that’s true of most of the quarterbacks on this list. It’s a down year at the position overall, so I’d prefer that the Steelers save a pick until Day 3. Payton is my favorite combination of opportunity cost and enough ability that I think he could come off the bench mid-game and give the offense a shot to win the game. He’s more mobile than options like Allar and Beck, and he’s more accurate (71.2%) than Green (60.2%).
Running backs
RB: There was a Jonah Coleman hype train at one point, but it slowly died down over the course of draft season — to the point where I feel he’s a bit underrated. Sure, his athleticism doesn’t pop off the tape, but his short-area burst is better than most give him credit for, and his contact balance and compact, 5’8, 220-pound frame make him tough to bring down. He churns his feet and hits the hole hard. More importantly, Coleman is a proven three-down back who can pass protect, boosting his value as a rookie.
RP: Heidenreich is an interesting player in what is also a down running back class. What position is he really? Is he a slot receiver? A running back? A gadget/special teams only guy? Mike Renner pointed out that his physical and athletic testing measurables are nearly identical to Christian McCaffrey. Obviously, Navy’s offense looks nothing like an NFL offense, and expecting Heidenreich to produce like a former top pick like McCaffrey is unrealistic. But to his credit, Heidenreich was incredibly efficient in whatever the Midshipmen asked him to do. He totaled 1,157 yards on 169 carries (6.8 YPC) and seven rushing touchdowns for his career. He averaged a run of 10-plus yards every 5.12 carries. He’s added 109 receptions for 1,994 yards and 16 touchdowns. He forced 73 missed tackles. He’ll make a unique weapon for a savvy coach and schemer.
JB: The running back class is thin overall, but Arkansas product Mike Washington Jr. pops on tape. Washington posted the fastest 40-yard dash among running backs at the combine with a 4.33-second mark. His breakaway speed stands out when you consider he stood over six feet tall and weighed in at 223 pounds at the combine. However, Washington isn’t much of a power back despite his size. I think Washington has a receiving game that makes him such an interesting prospect. He may have only caught 28 passes for the Razorbacks last season, but he proved he can make plays as a receiver, as he averaged 8.1 yards per reception. His breakaway speed could help him develop into a home run hitter who possesses a real receiving threat at the next level.
Wide receivers
JB: Makai Lemon has the reputation of being only a slot receiver. I suppose it’s an easy conclusion to draw when you see that 75.6% of his career snaps have been taken from the slot, but I believe he displayed that he is a movable receiver that any NFL offense should be clamoring to add to their roster. Lemon has strong hands and is a technical route runner. Lemon stands at just 5’11 and 192 pounds, but has displayed throughout the last two seasons with the Trojans that his size hasn’t affected his ability to work the middle of the field and be a willing blocker. Lemon has been my top receiver in this class for a long time, and I won’t back down from that now.
RP: De’Zhaun Stribling is a player I think will end up going much higher than draft publications and simulators are projecting right now. He’s got prototypical size (6’2, 207 pounds) with 4.36 speed, and he plays up to his size. He’s a YAC machine (7.3 per reception in 2025) in a way that isn’t gimmicky or designed to be easy for him. He’s an above-average blocker for a receiver. He’s still refining his route running, but some coaching staff is going to fall in love with him and take him on Day 2.
RB: I won’t pretend that the drops don’t exist, but KC Concepcion is one of my top receivers in this class due to his special separation ability. His burst and change of direction are top-notch, and he’ll only get more dangerous with NFL coaching and better quarterback play. He’s a bit undersized but should be able to play inside and out, as well as return punts.
Tight ends
RP: Finding tight ends who are already developed blockers as rookies is harder than you might think. For every Darnell Washington, there are dozens of other guys who are athletic enough to get a camp invite, but are too unsound as a blocker, and not unique enough as a pass catcher to make it in the NFL. Will Kacmarek is one of the best blockers in this class and could be an interesting piece for an offensive coordinator to play with. Kacmarek isn’t much of a route runner, but he has straight-line speed to attack the seam — he was clocked over 18 miles per hour at the Senior Bowl —and he is a comfortable hands catcher who can pluck the ball out of the air. A creative coach will find a way to capitalize on Kacmarek’s speed and weaponize him as a pulling blocker. As long as he continues to block at a high level, he’ll have a long career. The thought of Kacmarek and Darnell Washington on the same team should be enough to get any Yinzer giddy.
RB: The rumors are true: Purdue Max Klare was a lot more fun than Ohio State Max Klare, and as a result, I’m a bit more optimistic about him as a prospect. Klare is a smooth-moving, athletic tight end with long limbs who can run a surprisingly diverse route tree with yards after catch ability. When it comes to in-line blocking, he’s merely functional, but that still places him ahead of several receiving tight ends in this class. He’s a good middle-round option who should be a nice addition to an NFL offense.
JB: If you are interested in blocking tight ends, look no further than Stanford’s Sam Roush. Roush does not have the receiving statistics that stand out, as he only had 117 catches over his last three years in college, but his 6’6”, 267-pound frame suggests he will become an important piece to an offense one way or another. Todd McShay compared Roush to a bowl of oatmeal, which sounds crazy, probably because it is. But Roush does have that reliability and versatility that make him someone who can affect a game in multiple ways. Roush played a ton of special teams in college as well. Whoever drafts Roush is getting someone who will improve your run game and pass protection, and has the ability to be a security blanket in the flat and play a crucial role on an NFL team.
Tackles
RP: When Joey and I were down at the Senior Bowl, we ran a first-round mock where I sent Iheanachor to the Rams at 13. That was more than likely a little ambitious compared to reality, but I can’t help but feel like this draft cycle has been propping up players better suited for a move inside, or who are just as raw (Monroe Freeling), with less impressive highs on tape. I’m not saying Iheanachor is a Walter Jones-level prospect, but I think the draft community is seriously overthinking it with a natural talent.
JB: Memphis tackle Travis Burke visited with the Steelers for a top-30 visit during the pre-draft process. Considering the Steelers need a left guard and perhaps a left tackle still for 2026, Burks is someone who offers a rare combination of size and position mobility. Burke stands at 6’8 ¾” and moves incredibly well for someone his size on film. Due to his overall movement abilities, he could be someone who starts out as a swing tackle and then jumps into a full-time tackle role when needed. Of course, Burke does get caught relying on his frame too much rather than his raw power from time to time. However, for a potential mid-round prospect that has a ceiling to become a full-time starter at a premium position, it would make a ton of sense for the Steelers to take a shot on him. Burks may end up going earlier than most expect due to his 7 pre-draft visits.
RB: Monroe Freeling is a bit of a boom or bust prospect, but his 9.99 RAS definitely shows up when you watch him. With great athleticism and 34-plus-inch arms, Freeling has the potential to be a franchise left tackle if he continues to fill out his frame and hone his technique. However, he has just over one season as a starter and remains lunge-y and raw as a blocker – even earning a Broderick Jones pro comparison from NFL.com ‘s Lance Zierlein. Still, the “reward” part of risk and reward could certainly result in him going in the top 10, and for good reason.
Interior offensive line
RB: Spencer Fano has been a tougher evaluation for me. He’s an undeniably solid all-around player with great athleticism and mobility (9.74 RAS). An experienced tackle at Utah, he likely projects best as a guard in the NFL due to his just-over-32-inch arms. There, Fano would excel in a zone scheme that uses his ability to climb up the defense and move laterally. Still, he doesn’t quite have the mass and power of our consensus OG1, Vega Ioane. I wouldn’t completely rule out Fano sticking at tackle in the NFL, though, and that versatility should boost his draft stock.
JB: Remember when the Seattle Seahawks took Grey Zabel in the first round last year? That ended up working out pretty well for them. It’s cool to take guards in the first round again, and Georgia Tech’s Keylan Rutledge might be the latest example of a guard who sneaks his way into night one. Rutledge is truly a coach’s dream as a four-year starter in college who played every game during his last two collegiate seasons. Rutledge plays with a psycho mentality that reminds me of Zach Frazier. He is looking to finish every block through the whistle and does so in both the passing and running game.
RP: Farmer just became one of “my guys” during this cycle. He isn’t the top guard in this class, but he’s younger than the “Big Four” guard prospects and checks all the boxes I’m looking for in a guard. He’s strong, and he shows it on the field. He can bowl over guys in the run game, and he’s got a solid anchor in the passing game. You won’t see many reps of Farmer getting pushed around. Reports from scouts indicate that things have begun to click for Farmer over the past two years, both in his understanding of the game and in how to take care of his body. Factor all that in with the opportunity cost to acquire him (expected Round 3-4), and Farmer is the exact kind of ascending player that will make a GM look good down the line.
Let us know what you think of our rankings in the comments. Which players do you want to see the Steelers draft?
