It’s Mock Draft Monday on Behind the Steel Curtain — and my last chance at writing an installment (you can view my March 16 attempt here
).While there are still quite a few unknowns regarding the Steelers’ draft plans even with less than two weeks remaining until the big event, we do know a lot more now than we did in March. As a result, I’ll be conducting this mock as a predictive exercise — if you’re going to get mad, yell at me for misinterpreting what the Steelers will likely do — this isn’t
necessarily the group I would draft if I was the team’s general manager.
We’ll be putting a heavy emphasis on top-30 visits, as that has been a clear indicator of Steelers pre-draft interest under Omar Khan. But pro days, combine meetings, and past team drafting history also offer some clues.
And as with most mock drafts you’ve seen this year, we’ll be operating under the assumption that Aaron Rodgers returns to Pittsburgh for 2026, even though that doesn’t change too much in a weak quarterback class.
Let’s dive in:
1.21 — Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
The Steelers have hosted five potential first-rounders for pre-draft visits so far, and McNeil-Warren seems the most likely to go at No. 21 of the bunch. Spencer Fano and Makai Lemon could be gone by then, and Chris Johnson and Denzel Boston (Nos. 41 and 30 on the consensus big board, respectively) might not be seen as the best value or most instant contributors to a team that will likely once again be wanting to “win now.”
McNeil-Warren, the No. 22 player on that consensus board, fits in the happy medium of helping out both now and later. With Jalen Ramsey likely moving to the slot in 2026, and Jaquan Brisker and DeShon Elliott best as box safeties, EMW will find a role immediately as he brings more range to the table as a free safety. But the Toledo product is quite the enforcer himself with plenty of athleticism (9.01 RAS), meaning he can confidently fill any safety position in the future.
Long story short, you can never have too many quality defensive backs in the modern NFL, especially if they’re versatile.
2.53 — Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard
Yup, it’s a repeat pick from my last BTSC mock draft, but Bernard just makes too much sense here in the second round if the Steelers are still looking for a wide receiver — especially following today’s top-30 visit.
The second-round crop at wide receiver is a strange one. Up to six could go in the first round this year, but the half of the group that might drop (Boston, K.C. Concepcion, and/or Omar Cooper Jr.) likely won’t last anywhere close to pick No. 53 in the first place. But the names who could be there, such as Chris Bell, Chris Brazzell, Zachariah Branch, etc., all come with a fair share of question marks.
Bernard, on the other hand, is the safest bet of the group. He doesn’t have the upside of a Bell, Brazzell, or Bryce Lance/Ted Hurst, but he’ll fit in as a do-it-all WR3 in the Steelers offense immediately, with the ability to be a workmanlike WR2 down the road. His game is built on polish and toughness, and he still posted a great 9.03 RAS with agilities before the draft.
His underrated yards after catch ability will also complement Michael Pittman Jr.’s possession-oriented skill set.
The veteran combination of head coach Mike McCarthy and (presumed) quarterback Aaron Rodgers will come with high expectations for young receivers — Bernard will be a rookie who can live up to that standard. And the team has shown some notable interest in him already.
TRADE UP: 2.60 — Georgia Tech guard Keylan Rutledge
The Chicago Bears have two second-round picks this year, but only four picks in the following five rounds, making them a possible trade-back candidate. Here, I have the Steelers swapping two of their third-round picks (Nos. 76 and 99) for No. 60 — and netting a 2027 sixth to keep things fair.
I’ve been vocal about wanting the Steelers to keep all five of their top 100 picks in this year’s draft, but the team might feel differently, especially if they still haven’t landed a starter at left guard in their first two picks. And we all know how much Khan and assistant general manager Andy Weidl have prioritized the trenches in their drafts so far.
Rutledge is — surprise — another Pittsburgh top-30 visit and one of the consensus top-four interior offensive linemen in this year’s class. I don’t see him falling out of the second round in 2026, but I also think there’s a good chance he’s available at No. 60 as quality guards and centers still aren’t seen as high-value positions in the modern NFL.
3.85 — Pitt linebacker Kyle Louis
This might seem like a bit of a fall for Louis, but this range in the third round is where I expect him to go in the upcoming draft. The coverage ability is special, but he’s far from an every-down linebacker, and a switch to safety would nullify some of the movement skills that make him stand out in the first place.
Still, Louis is an intriguing football player who will almost certainly go in the top 100 — and just about everything about him screams Pittsburgh Steeler. He’s a Pitt product, another pre-draft visit, and he plays a position the team has shown a lot of interest in this cycle. Historically, the Steelers have coveted athletic linebackers, and new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has long been known for using linebacker/safety hybrids in his defensive scheme.
With Patrick Queen still under contract for one more year and the odds of a trade dropping by the day, the Steelers would be able to ease Louis into the lineup.
4.121 — Florida State defensive lineman Darrell Jackson Jr.
It’s hard to see a team like Pittsburgh going too long without addressing the defensive line, even after adding Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, and Sebastian Joseph-Day in the last two offseasons. But don’t forget how much Khan and Weidl love the trenches — as long as they’re in charge, I’d expect investments on both the offensive and defensive lines in just about every draft.
Jackson is another top-30 visit. He didn’t test enough to earn an RAS, but his nearly 35-inch arms and 6’5, 315-pound build certainly drew the front office’s attention. He’s a more developmental prospect, but that isn’t a big deal with all the depth the team has built at the position already.
4.135 — North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton
The Steelers have done their homework on the quarterback class this year, as you’d expect. I don’t think that guarantees they’ll draft one, but with double-digit picks, it still seems reasonable to expect the team to take a chance on someone.
Of the Steelers’ pre-draft visitors at quarterback so far, Payton offers a nice balance between the floor of Carson Beck and the ceiling of Taylen Green. He’s a far more exciting player than the former, but not as wildly erratic as the latter. He also fits the big quarterback mold McCarthy and the Steelers seem to be prioritizing.
5.161 — Washington CB Ephesians Prysock
One of the few remaining positions of interest for the Steelers still haven’t addressed in this draft is cornerback. And Prysock just makes too much sense. He’s another top-30 visit, a promising athlete (9.90 RAS; no agilities), and possesses the length (33-inch arms) and press abilities the team tends to value.
With Cory Trice Jr.’s injury history continuing to be a problem in the NFL, Prysock can fill that role as a high-upside depth option on the boundary.
6.216 — Penn State offensive tackle Nolan Rucci
The first non-pre-draft visit (gasp) on this list, Rucci still makes sense as a local Penn State product, and the Steelers will almost certainly be looking to add some depth to its offensive tackle room in 2026.
Unlike the numerous late-round offensive tackle prospects who will likely slide to guard in the NFL, Rucci actually has the measurables to stay on the outside with a towering, 6’8 build and 34-inch arms. He’s a good name to add into the mix behind Dylan Cook on the depth chart.
7.224 — Iowa WR Kaden Wetjen
The Steelers haven’t hosted Wetjen for a pre-draft visit in Pittsburgh, but he did formally meet with the team at the NFL Combine. He’s not the most glamorous name for the Steelers to double up at wide receiver with, but he’s an extremely talented return man who makes a lot of sense for a roster that currently lacks many options in that department.
Wetjen has sub-4.5 speed, and in 2025 alone he recorded three punt return touchdowns and one kick return touchdown. His special teams production is unreal. He has just 197 career receiving yards in college, but was certainly a valuable member of the Hawkeyes.
7.230 — Michigan tight end/fullback Max Bredeson
Bredeson hasn’t been linked to Pittsburgh much but still checks some boxes. The Steelers had a scouting presence at his pro day, and met with his teammate, tight end Marlin Klein, for a top-30 visit. Bredeson has good size at 6’2, 252 pounds, NFL bloodlines (his brother is Ben Bredeson), and as a two-time captain he has the character and leadership the team tends to prioritize.
The Steelers could use a fullback type after Connor Heyward left for the Raiders, and Mike McCarthy signed and used fullback Hunter Luepke in his Cowboys offense starting in 2023. Spending a pick on a fullback is something a team can reasonably do when it’s making 11 selections.
7.237 — Penn State tight end Khalil Dinkins
Bredeson is more of a fullback, so the Steelers close out their draft by adding a more traditional tight end to fill out a room that looks awfully thin behind Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington. And after departing from the pre-draft visit trend with the last few picks, Dinkins does have the checkmark of being brought to the South Side for a local visit this draft cycle.
Dinkins is a 6’4 target who will need to bulk up a bit. But with his solid across-the-board athleticism (7.82 RAS), NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein seems to think the Nittany Lion has a lot more potential that can be unlocked. Dinkins’ father, Darnell, played in the NFL, and the Steelers always love their bloodlines.
What do you think of this draft? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments!
