Steelers roll the dice at quarterback after taking a pair of explosive weapons on offense in latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft
The Steelers go heavy on the offensive side of the football in this 3-round mock, which includes a gamble at quarterback.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are singularly focused on winning the AFC North and capturing a playoff victory for the first time in nearly a decade this January.
However, as evidenced by the Steelers’ record at this point in the season, the roster requires some improvement to become a true Super Bowl contender.
That starts and ends with getting more explosive on offense and finding the future of the quarterback position. Luckily for the Steelers, they take a swing at doing just that in this brand-new three-round mock draft.
3-round Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 NFL mock draft
R1. No. 19 overall: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
You may recall that the last time the Steelers took a WR in the first round, it was Santonio Holmes, who also played for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Exactly 20 years later, the Steelers go back to the well here to find their next stud at WR.
Carnell Tate is a natural separator who can win with routes, quickness, and athleticism. He gets open effortlessly, and he would raise the floor of the Steelers’ offense immediately. The team has tried to patchwork the WR room with veterans and late-round picks, but now is the time to invest some real capital.
R2. No. 52 Overall: Justice Haynes, RB, Michigan
Running back may be a bit surprising, but when you peel back the layers of that room in Pittsburgh, you will see why it makes sense. Jaylen Warren is under contract through 2027, but it includes an out after 2026. Kenny Gainwell, who has taken more than a few of Warren’s carries this season, is set to be a free agent.
Oh, and rookie third-rounder Kaleb Johnson? Despite being given every opportunity in camp and even early in the season, he struggles to see the field and simply hasn’t looked ready for NFL action yet. Perhaps that changes, but taking a three-down back with the all-around skillset that Justice Haynes has makes a lot of sense for the Steelers.
R3. No. 80 overall: D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
The Darius Slay experiment didn’t work out in Pittsburgh. James Pierre has settled in nicely opposite of Joey Porter Jr., but he’s been banged up throughout 2025. The nickel position has been taken over by Brandin Echols, and he’s played well, but the Steelers could use more depth, ball skills, and intensity in their CB room.
Ponds might not be the biggest player at 5-9, 170 pounds, but he punches above his weight and would make for a perfect fit in Pittsburgh.
R3. No. 83 overall: Parker Brailsford, IOL, Alabama
The Steelers already have their center, Zach Frazier, but with Isaac Seumalo on an expiring contract and spotty play at RG, investing in the interior with an athletic player like Parker Brailsford can’t hurt.
R3. No. 99 overall: Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
Coming into the 2025 season, Garrett Nussmeier was atop the list not only for Heisman hopefuls, but also potentially the first overall pick in the draft. Then came the debacle that was LSU in 2025, with an overall regression that led to Brian Kelly’s firing and quarterback play that wasn’t up to his 2024 standard.
Part of that was due to injury, and part of it was Nussmeier simply not playing well. A coach’s son who was in a toxic environment, it’s not like the traits he had in 2024 suddenly vanished. The bones of a good quarterback are still there; it’s just about putting the pieces back together.
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