Steelers seven-round 2025 NFL mock draft: Pittsburgh makes surprising move with 21st pick; grabs QB on Day 3
Pittsburgh should address each of its remaining needs during the draft
By
Bryan DeArdo
Apr 1, 2026
at
7:36 am ET
•
1 min read
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Armed with 12 picks, the Pittsburgh Steelers are in position to do big things during the NFL Draft, which fittingly will take place in the Steel City.
Pittsburgh already experienced a busy offseason. It started with the abrupt resignation of Mike Tomlin and the move to replace him with Mike McCarthy. The Steelers made several notable additions during free agency, including former Colts wideout Michael Pittman Jr., running back Rico Dowdle (who played for McCarthy in Dallas), defensive backs Jamel Dean, Jaquan Brisker and punter Cameron Johnston.
For a second straight offseason, the Steelers must wait on Aaron Rodgers. Regardless of what Rodgers does, Pittsburgh may decide to use a high pick on a quarterback. Pittsburgh does have Will Howard, a 2025 sixth-round pick who helped lead Ohio State to a national title, on its roster, too.
The Steelers don’t have any glaring needs. They need to round out their receiving corps while adding depth at offensive and defensive line, linebacker, tight end and in the secondary. The Steelers should be in a position to draft the best-available players instead of focusing on any specific need.
Pittsburgh most likely won’t keep all 12 picks, but for the sake of this exercise, there are no changes in order to identify what players may be available each time the Steelers are slated to be on the clock.
Without further ado, let’s kick this off.
Steelers’ 2026 NFL Draft picks
Round 1: Pick 21
Round 2: Pick 53
Round 3: Pick 76 (via trade with Cowboys)
Round 3: Pick 85
Round 3: Pick 99 (compensatory pick)
Round 4: Pick 121
Round 4: Pick 135 (compensatory pick)
Round 5: Pick 161
Round 6: Pick 216 (compensatory pick)
Round 7: Pick 224 (via trade with Patriots)
Round 7: Pick 230 (via trade with Colts)
Round 7: Pick 237
Steelers seven-round mock draft
Round 1, Pick 21
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
S
Toledo
• Sr
• 6’4″
/ 202 lbs
Projected Team
PROSPECT RNK
1st
POSITION RNK
1st
PAYDS
3535
RUYDS
276
INTS
6
TDS
48
McNeil-Warren would get a chance to learn the ropes from Jalen Ramsey, who converted from corner to safety during his first season in Pittsburgh. The Toledo standout checks multiple boxes as a physical safety who has a nose for the football. He forced nine fumbles and returned one of his two picks for a score in 2025.
Round 2, Pick 53
Emmanuel Pregnon
IOL
Oregon
• Sr
• 6’4″
/ 314 lbs
Projected Team
PROSPECT RNK
68th
POSITION RNK
2nd
While the recent signing of Brock Hoffman made it less of a need, the Steelers should still acquire another interior offensive lineman. During the 2025 season, Pregnon earned an 86.7 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus, the second-best among all FBS guards.
Round 3, Pick 76
Elijah Sarratt
WR
Indiana
• Sr
• 6’3″
/ 210 lbs
Projected Team
PROSPECT RNK
97th
POSITION RNK
13th
REC
70
REYDS
1198
YDS/REC
17.1
TDS
14
Pittsburgh hopes to continue its long, successful history of finding future star receivers during the draft. Sarratt caught 23 touchdowns in two seasons at Indiana, which included an FBS-best 15 in 2025. He would essentially be the No. 3 wideout working with DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr.
Round 3, Pick 85
Kyle Louis
LB
Pittsburgh
• Jr
• 6’0″
/ 220 lbs
Projected Team
PROSPECT RNK
155th
POSITION RNK
24th
The Steelers may not have to look far to find their next inside linebacker. Louis, who played his entire collegiate career at Pitt, filled the stat sheets. During the span of his final two seasons, he tallied 182 tackles (24 for loss), 10 sacks, six interceptions (returning one for a score), two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Round 4, Pick 99
Sam Roush
TE
Stanford
• Sr
• 6’5″
/ 260 lbs
Projected Team
PROSPECT RNK
306th
POSITION RNK
38th
Roush would help fill the voids left by Jonnu Smith and Connor Heyward’s offseason departures. He draws some comparisons to Heath Miller — the greatest tight end in Steelers history — in terms of his blocking ability and being a security blanket for quarterbacks in the passing game.
Round 4, Pick 121
Julian Neal
CB
Arkansas
• Sr
• 6’2″
/ 203 lbs
Projected Team
PROSPECT RNK
311th
POSITION RNK
3rd
If nothing else, Neal gives the Steelers some depth at cornerback. An imposing figure at 6-foot-2 and 208 pounds, Neal became the first Razorback in six years to break up multiple passes in consecutive games.
Round 4, Pick 135
Jude Bowry
OT
Boston College
• Jr
• 6’5″
/ 314 lbs
Projected Team
PROSPECT RNK
376th
POSITION RNK
27th
Pittsburgh should use at least one pick on an offensive tackle with Broderick Jones coming off an injury and going into the final year of his rookie contract. A team captain last season, Bowry played left tackle since 2023 and has not allowed a sack since 2024.
Round 5, Pick 161
Carson Beck
QB
Miami (Fla.)
• Sr
• 6’4″
/ 225 lbs
While he has his flaws (most notably his consistency), the 6-foot-4 Beck is nonetheless an intriguing prospect who did a lot of good things during his long college career. This past season, he threw 30 touchdown passes, completed an impressive 72.4% of his passes, led the ACC with a 157 passer rating, and nearly led the Hurricanes to the school’s first national title in 24 years.
Round 7, Pick 216
Cyrus Allen
WR
Cincinnati
• Sr
• 5’11”
/ 180 lbs
Expect the Steelers to select multiple wideouts during the draft. In Allen, the Steelers would get a speedy playmaker who could help fill the void left by Calvin Austin’s departure. Allen’s 13 touchdown receptions in 2025 led the Big 12.
Round 7, Pick 224
Jimmy Rolder
LB
Michigan
• Sr
• 6’2″
/ 240 lbs
Rolder started to flash his potential during his final season at Michigan. In 12 games, Rolder recorded a team-high 73 tackles, two sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery. An All-Big Ten performer, Rolder was also an accomplished special teams player during his time at Michigan.
Round 7, Pick 230
Roman Hemby
RB
Indiana
• Sr
• 6’0″
/ 207 lbs
It makes sense for the Steelers to draft a running back to compete for Kaleb Johnson for playing time behind Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle. After a solid career at Maryland, Hemby helped Indiana win the national title last year. In 16 games, Hemby ran for 1,120 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging nearly 5.0 yards per carry. He is also a capable pass catcher.
Round 7, Pick 237
Albert Regis
DT
Texas A&M
• Sr
• 6’1″
/ 317 lbs
Regis could learn the ropes from Cam Heyward while giving Pittsburgh some interior depth. A key part of a stingy Texas A&M defense, Regis is a talented run-stuffer who also made his presence felt as a pass rusher defender with two sacks and three pass breakups in 2025.
