Steelers mock draft: Building a young core for Mike McCarthy

Oct 11, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) looks to throw a pass during the first quarter against the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images | Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images The NFL Combine is

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What is the story about?

The NFL Combine is now in the rear-view mirror, and it is full steam ahead to the draft, which opens up in about a month and a half in Pittsburgh. Interestingly enough, I do think there is some organizational pressure on the Steelers to put on a bit of a show in front of their home fans. If you remember last year’s draft in Green Bay, the roar of the crowd when they selected Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden went on for what seemed like hours. While I’m sure there will be a big ovation from the Steelers faithful

for whoever the Steelers pick, I am interested to see the route Omar Khan and company choose, given the team has so many needs.

The Steelers are slated to make 12 picks, and what if the Steelers want to keep all of them? I’m sure this isn’t the preferred outcome of most, but the Steelers have felt like a team that lacked depth over the last few years, and 12 picks would be more than enough to rejuvenate a roster in Mike McCarthy’s vision.

This mock was done with PFF’s Mock Draft Simulator.

Round 1, Pick 21: WR Omar Cooper, Indiana

There is no two ways about it. The Steelers need to address the wide receiver position. I wouldn’t be too surprised to see the Steelers lean more on the draft for that need, rather than going out and having to pay another receiver big money, considering the 31 million dollars DK Metcalf is set to make this year.

The consensus top three receivers, Makai Lemon, Carnell Tate, and Jordyn Tyson, were all off the board well in advance of the Steelers’ pick. However, after the NFL Combine, I came away thinking that most are underestimating how many receivers could go in the first round.

Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. is someone who I think is a lock to go on night one. His skillset is perfect for just about any NFL offense. I was pleasantly surprised to see Cooper Jr. still on the board at pick 21 overall.

Our own Ryan Parish did a great write-up a few weeks ago listing Cooper Jr. as one of his draft gems. It’s fair to say that Cooper’s stock has received a massive bump over the last few weeks. He is dangerous in the open field, picking up nearly 500 yards after the catch last season. Cooper was also a touchdown machine, catching 13 for the Hoosiers en route to a National Championship.

Cooper is also a willing blocker, which I know Steelers fans tend to gravitate towards. To me, Cooper is WR4 in this class and presents a ton of traits that could make him immediately impactful in the Steelers offense.

I considered addressing the trenches, but Omar Cooper Jr. was the easy pick for me with the 21st overall pick.

Rounds 2, Pick 53: S A.J. Haulcy, LSU

If you have not heard by now, this safety class is special. The Steelers are on the clock with the 53rd overall pick and select LSU’s A.J. Haulcy. Haulcy is a ball-hawking safety who has snagged 8 interceptions over his last two seasons. Haulcy is also not afraid to disrupt passes over the middle. I think Haulcy and DeShon Elliott would be a dynamic safety duo that would also give the Steelers flexibility to move Jalen Ramsey back down to his native position at corner.

Round 3, Pick 76: G Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech

At 76 overall, I have the Steelers selecting Georgia Tech guard Keylan Rutledge. The guard has lots of collegiate experience and could slot into a starting role with the uncertainty surrounding Isaac Seumalo. The Steelers certainly could address the offensive line in free agency, but Rutledge falling to them in the third provides them with a solid backup plan and someone with the ability to play inside or outside.

Round 3, Pick 85: QB Drew Allar, Penn State

With the Steelers’ second third rounder, and the 85th overall pick, I took a huge swing in selecting Penn State QB Drew Allar. I think the smoke between Allar and the Steelers has some legitimacy to it. If McCarthy is half the quarterback development guru that he is made out to be, Allar is the perfect type of quarterback for him to select and develop.

Allar is far from a finished product and played his best college football over a year ago. However, he is lively, mobile, and does not turn the ball over. Most forget that Allar would have likely been a first-round pick in last year’s draft if he had chosen to declare. That being said, there is a reason his stock fell. Before his injury, Allar struggled and did not look like the same player he was in 2024. The Steelers would be gambling on his upside, which I do believe there is plenty of.

Round 3, Pick 99: CB Malik Muhammad, Texas

Malik Muhammad from Texas was the clear pick with the 99th overall pick to address the need at corner. Muhammad is a bit of an undersized outside corner at six feet even, but that may be exactly what the Steelers want. With the Haulcy selection, it will allow Ramsey to move down to play outside corner, where he proved he can still play in the early parts of last season. Muhammad has great instincts and can high-point balls against taller receivers. He was a standout at the Senior Bowl and could get serious playing time both inside and outside in year one.

Rounds 4, Pick 121: WR Ja’Kobi Lane, USC

I had to go with the best player available with USC wideout Ja’Kobi Lane, with the 121st overall pick. It is almost common practice to have the Steelers double dip at wide receiver in most mocks and I really wanted to avoid doing that. However, Lane would be someone Pittsburgh would have to invest in at this cost. I think one of the more underrated allures to Mike McCarthy is his ability to develop young receivers. Namely, Davante Adams, who was a second-round pick that struggled mightily in his first few seasons. CeeDee Lamb was also drafted during the McCarthy era in Dallas, but Lamb was a much more sure thing as a prospect.

Lane is your prototypical go-ball receiver, which is where he saw most of his work with the Trojans. He has long arms and soft hands that will allow him to sustain this style of play at the next level. He would complete what will be a solid receiving room with Metcalf and our first round pick Cooper Jr., all of which complement each other very well.

Round 4, Pick 135: OT J.C. Davis, Illinois

I’m not sure the Steelers are certain about what is happening at left tackle next season. General manager Omar Khan said at the NFL Combine that the team is unsure of Broderick Jones’ availability moving into next season. So I made it a point to select Illinois tackle J.C. Davis at 135 overall. At the very worst, Davis can battle with Dylan Cook in training camp for the starting role should Jones not be ready. Davis was a four-year starter at Illinois. Davis could also serve as a swing tackle, which could prove pivotal if Jones isn’t available and Cook is slotted into the left tackle role. The Steelers need some offensive line depth at the very least, and Davis in the fourth round would be a home run.

Round 5, Pick 159: LB Aiden Fisher, Indiana

I double-dipped on the Hoosiers at 159 overall and addressed linebacker, selecting Indiana’s Aiden Fisher. Fisher is a tackling machine and someone who could play meaningful snaps almost immediately. It does seem like Pittsburgh is going to roll with Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson for another year at linebacker, while hopefully getting more availability out of Malik Harrison. Fisher projects as a nice late-round compliment to that room.

Rounds 6, Pick 213: CB Domani Jackson

Jackson was once a highly-touted recruit but failed to find consistency throughout his college career. He excels more as a press man corner, and ran a blazing 4.41 40-yard dash at the combine, meaning his top-line speed could, at the very least, help him grow into a helpful special-teams player. Jackson has a lot of traits that defensive coordinator Patrick Graham could be intrigued by.

Round 6, Pick 214: FB Eli Heidenreich, Navy

Heidenreich did it all for the Naval Academy offense this past season. He projects as a utility running back or slot receiver at the next level. With a team like Pittsburgh, which went out of its way to break tradition and hire an offense-minded head coach, getting someone as productive and special with the ball in their hands like Heidenreich seems like a perfect match.

Round 7, Pick 224: QB Taylen Green, Arkansas

I knew what I was getting myself into selecting Arkansas QB Taylen Green, but at the cost of the 224th overall pick, I couldn’t help myself. If this were the price for Green, I would not fault the Steelers at all for double-dipping at quarterback. At this current moment in time, we have no clarity on what the Steelers’ plan is at quarterback for 2026. While it is more than likely that Aaron Rodgers will be brought back, getting a succession plan in place should be priority number one for this team. Green has a lot of plus traits with a huge arm and mobility, much like Allar who I have the Steelers selecting earlier in this mock. Green has lots of decision-making issues and is recklessly throwing the ball downfield.

Round 7, Pick 237: P Jack Stonehouse, Syracuse

Syracuse punter Jack Stonehouse was the final pick at 237 overall. The Steelers have been in the back half of the league in yards per punt in each of the last three seasons. Stonehouse had a 45.8 yards per punt average during his collegiate career, the best in school history at Syracuse.