Steelers 2026 NFL mock draft: Pittsburgh replaces Aaron Rodgers with CFP superstar and immediately gives him a speedster target
Latest Steelers mock draft uses a ton of picks to bolster the roster in a major way.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are playoff bound, but that shouldn’t prevent anyone from keeping their 2026 NFL Draft plans in mind. With a ton of day two capital, they must put it to good use in order to create depth and upside along their roster with an influx of young talent.
This 5-round mock draft scenario is an exercise to look at potential needs and fits for them in this year’s class.
Latest Steelers 2026 NFL Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 21: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Pittsburgh is too inconsistent along their offensive line, especially when you consider the lack of mobility of Aaron Rodgers. If he’s back in 2026, you need to prioritize keeping him upright. Lomu is among the top offensive lineman in this class.
Round 2, Pick 53: Keith Abney, CB, Arizona State
The secondary has had some major highs and lows at times this season for the Steelers. Abney plays with a ton of emotion and grit. Don’t let that distract you from some nice technique in coverage as well, though. Would love to see him in the slot for the Steelers defense.
Round 3, Pick 76: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
Branch has blazing speed that has shown a lot more after catch ability this season for the Bulldogs. He would make an immediate impact for an offense that desperately needs more play making ability.
Round 3, Pick 85: Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
Chambliss has been unreal during the College Football Playoff. He’s currently attempting to get a medical waiver for another college season, but it is unknown if he will receive it. If not, he could be a QB prospect taken sometime late on day two or early on day three due to his production against top competition this postseason.
Round 3, Pick 99: Dontay Corleone, DT, Cincinnati
Corleone provides th power and strength upfront to boost the run stopping efforts for the Steelers defense. This is really good value for him, too, as he goes as early as the middle of round two in some mock draft scenarios.
Round 4, Pick 121: Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State
Wheatley proved to be one of the top talents for the Nittany Lion secondary in the 2025 season. While it was a frustrating team campaign for PSU this year, Wheatley was a bright spot who supplies immediate depth for the Pittsburgh defense.
Round 4, Pick 135: Keylan Rutledge, IOL, Georgia Tech
Rutledge needs to work on his leverage, but his motor runs incredibly hot along the OL. He shows off impressive athleticism along the inside and projects to be a nice option for a backup guard at the pro level. He plays the sort of football that Mike Tomlin will appreciate.
I talked to Steelers expert Rob Gregson about this potential draft class. He provided some excellent feedback, so check it out below.
“If you’re a Steelers fan, you’re probably sitting here wondering why in the world the Steelers would be taking another tackle after taking two in the first round over the last three drafts. Well, it’s safe to say that even if Broderick Jones is back in 2026, there is a good chance it’s his final year with the Steelers. Fautanu has been excellent for Pittsburgh, and putting Lomu opposite him would make a ton of sense.
James Pierre has quietly been a tremendous player opposite of Joey Porter Jr. at the CB No.2 spot, and he is likely to receive a hefty new contract; whether that’s in Pittsburgh or elsewhere is to be determined. However, even if Pierre is back, the Steelers are still searching for their nickel of the future, and they can find that in the aggressive and hyper athletic player that Abney is.
The last time the Steelers took a day two WR from Georgia, it was George Pickens, who turned out to be a tremendous player despite some of his concerns. Branch is a smaller player with a different skillset, but he’s a cat-quick player who can win vertically and take some pressure off DK Metcalf.
Trinidad Chambliss is not your typical Steelers quarterback. A D2 transfer that has burst onto the scene in college football’s biggest stage, Chambliss is a true dual threat that feels like a backup in the NFL, but someone who has starter upside, and notable potential in a class that is lacking top-end juice. If the NCAA denies his waiver, Chambliss could make a lot of sense for the Steelers.
Dontay Corleone is a terrific value at this point in the draft. The Steelers have allocated significant capital to the interior of the defensive line over the last three drafts, but a player like Corleone, who can sit, learn, and develop under Cam Heyward, makes a lot of sense.
I love the Zakee Wheatley pick here for the Steelers. Pittsburgh has found a nice duo with Ramsey and Dugger, but those two players won’t be there forever. Wheatley is a big safety who can move and is someone that the Steelers’ scouting department will love.
Isaac Seumalo is on an expiring contract, and the Steelers will have to address the left guard position. Rutledge is a big guard who could use some development, but serves as nice depth along the Steelers’ offensive line here.” — Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports
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