Top-3 backup scenarios for the Pittsburgh Steelers if things don’t go to plan in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Here are the top three backup scenarios for the Pittsburgh Steelers if they are unable to get the players and positions they covet the most in round one of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are no strangers to picking in the late teens and early 20s in the first round of the NFL Draft. This year will be no different, as the Steelers hold the 21st overall pick.
Usually, that’s where you start to approach “no-man’s land” in round one of the draft, as a rich talent pool may only have 15-20 true first-round grades. Well, in a 2026 class that lacks both high-end talent and depth, that number is more like 10-12. So from the Steelers’ POV, what happens if they miss on one of the top tackles, interior offensive lineman, or wide receivers? I have created three backup plans for Pittsburgh on night one.
Draft a safety
Let’s say that all of the tackles the Steelers like are off the board, the big three at WR (Lemon, Tate, and Tyson) are gone, as well as Vega Ioane out of Penn State. The position I would keep an eye on the most for the Steelers would be safety.
We know the Steelers hosted Emmanuel McNeil-Warren on a top-30 visit, and there are rumblings that if star Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman is within striking range, the Steelers may pounce.
That room needs a true centerfielder. Someone who can replace what Minkah Fitzpatrick did in his prime, and I think both EMW and Thieneman could be that player for the Steelers.
Take a flyer on Jermod McCoy
The player rumored to be tumbling down the board the most is Tennessee Vols CB Jermod McCoy. It’s nothing due to character, and he’s no doubt, the best corner in the class when analyzing what he did in 2024.
However, McCoy missed all of 2025 with an ACL tear, and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that some teams may be concerned with a separate knee injury that could also use surgery.
The bottom line is, McCoy not only said that he feels great, but he also went to his Pro Day and ran in the 4.3s, he jumped out of the gym, and he shut down the best corners in the SEC for a whole season. He’s worth the risk in my opinion.
Trade back
The easiest scenario for the Steelers, if no one they like as a first-round talent is on their board, would be to trade back and add another second rounder, to go along with their three third round selections.
I am more inclined to believe that the Steelers would trade up before they trade back, but Omar Khan and Mike McCarthy said they could see themselves keeping 12 picks, or going to 14, but keeping at least 10.
Stockpiling could be the move if all else fails in round one.