Steelers double down at wide receiver while addressing major defensive weakness in latest 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft
The Steelers address major offensive and defensive issues while taking a swing at QB in latest 7-Round Mock Draft.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have built their coaching staff, and they are close to having the quarterback position solved following the latest development with Aaron Rodgers. In a couple of weeks, Omar Khan and Mike McCarthy will be in Indianapolis for the annual NFL Scouting Combine.
While free agency comes first, the draft process is long and tedious, with many coaches getting their first exposure to the players that scouts and directors in the front office have been evaluating for months. To gear up for that process, we have prepared a 7-round mock that is full of splashes.
Round 1, pick 21: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Makai Lemon won the Biletnikoff award as the best wide receiver in the country in 2025. He’s not the Steelers cup of tea when looking at who they historically target in terms of body types, but he is a silky route runner who displays natural separation skills that you expect to translate to the next level.
Round 2, pick 53: D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
This may be a tad high for D’Angelo Ponds, but I can’t get the idea of him being the next Mike Hilton for the Steelers out of my head. Sure, he’s not big at 5-9 and around 170 pounds after a trip to Shake Shack, but it doesn’t matter. The kid plays with his hair on fire every time he’s on the field.
Round 3, pick 76: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
I know, the Steelers just took a running back in the third round last year. However, said running back, Kaleb Johnson, was inactive down the stretch and never really played after his botched kick return attempt against the Seattle Seahawks.
Price was one of the best backs in the country this past season; he just so happened to play behind a generational talent via Jeremiyah Love. With team MVP Kenny Gainwell slated to hit free agency and questions about Johnson, I wouldn’t rule out a mid-round swing for Pittsburgh.
Round 3, pick: 85: Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
Unlike Lemon, Ted Hurst is the Steelers’ type of player on the perimeter. A long strider with lanky limbs at 6-3, Hurst is the perfect complement to DK Metcalf as a vertical stretch player who can lift coverage.
Taking two swings at WR within the first two days should be a priority for the Steelers.
Round 3, pick 99: Jude Bowry, OT, Boston College
At some point, the Steelers are going to have to address the tackle position. With Broderick Jones still out indefinitely and no long-term answer beyond him, Bowry presents developmental upside as swing tackle, if not borderline starter capability.
Day 3 Steelers 2026 NFL Mock Draft picks
121. Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia
135. Parker Brailsford, IOL, Alabama
159. Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State
213. Justin Jefferson, LB, Alabama
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