2026 Pittsburgh Steelers Mock Draft: 7-Round Projection
Draft Capital: 12 picks | Overall Grade: B Last Updated: June 08, 2026Overview
Pittsburgh Steelers enter the 2026 NFL Draft with 12 selections. Biggest needs: Wide Receiver, Safety, Offensive Guard.
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Complete Pick-by-Pick Analysis
Pick #21 - Pittsburgh Steelers: Omar Cooper Jr, Wide Receiver, Indiana
Rank: #22 overall | Grade: B+ Why This Pick:Critical need filled. Pittsburgh Steelers desperately needed Wide Receiver help (need #1), and Omar Cooper Jr was the best available at this spot. This pick addresses an immediate roster weakness.
The Fit:Omar Cooper Jr brings immediate impact to Pittsburgh Steelers. Omar Cooper Jr. emerged as one of college football's toughest and most clutch wide receivers during the 2025 season, serving as a fearless competitor and proven versatile target in Indiana's explosive offense. At 6'0", 201 pounds, the former four-sta... His best trait—exceptional contact balance to absorb hits and keep working upfield—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Brandon Aiyuk RAC burst-type player at the NFL level.
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Pick #53 - Pittsburgh Steelers: AJ Haulcy, Safety, LSU
Rank: #54 overall | Grade: B- Why This Pick:Pittsburgh reaches two spots for a safety who fills the second-listed need. The Steelers' secondary needs playmaking, and Haulcy's ball production at three different programs is exactly the profile this defense has lacked.
The Fit:Haulcy is a turnover machine with 9+ career interceptions across four seasons, including a Big 12-leading 5 INTs in 2024 at Houston. He's also a tackle machine -- 98, 74, and 64 tackles in consecutive seasons. The lack of verified measurements and meandering path through New Mexico, Houston, and LSU raise evaluation questions, but for a scheme that values takeaways, he profiles as a Day 1 starter.
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Pick #76 - Pittsburgh Steelers: Sam Hecht, Center, Kansas State
Rank: #77 overall | Grade: C+ Trade: Pittsburgh Steelers acquired this pick from the Dallas Cowboys. Why This Pick:Best player available. Pittsburgh Steelers needed Wide Receiver help, but Sam Hecht (ranked #77) represents elite value here. You can't pass on top-tier talent when it falls to you.
The Fit:Sam Hecht brings immediate impact to Pittsburgh Steelers. Sam Hecht is one of the best walk-on-to-draft-prospect stories in the 2026 class developing from an unranked recruit into a two-year starting center and All-Big 12 honoree at Kansas State. His technique is elite with elbows tucked and connected to hi... His best trait—elite technique with elbows tucked and tight inside hand placement—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Tyler Biadasz-type player at the NFL level.
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Pick #85 - Pittsburgh Steelers: Davison Igbinosun, Cornerback, Ohio State
Rank: #87 overall | Grade: C+ Why This Pick:Addresses key depth concern. While Cornerback wasn't the top priority, Davison Igbinosun's talent at #87 overall was too good to pass up. Sometimes value trumps need.
The Fit:Davison Igbinosun brings immediate impact to Pittsburgh Steelers. Davison Igbinosun is a physical force on the outside in coverage and run defense, and one of the most improved defensive backs in the nation. A former four-star recruit, he transferred to Ohio State after his freshman season at Ole Miss, where he sta... His best trait—excels in press-man alignment where he can use his physicality to throw off timing and frustrate receivers with extremely high compete level—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Charvarius Ward-type player at the NFL level.
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Pick #99 - Pittsburgh Steelers: Brenen Thompson, WRS, Mississippi State
Rank: #100 overall | Grade: C+ Why This Pick:Addresses key depth concern. While WRS wasn't the top priority, Brenen Thompson's talent at #100 overall was too good to pass up. Sometimes value trumps need.
The Fit:Brenen Thompson brings immediate impact to Pittsburgh Steelers. Brenen Thompson is one of the fastest and most explosive receivers in college football, epitomizing the phrase 'field stretcher' reminiscent of 2023 Senior Bowl standout Tank Dell. The former Texas and Oklahoma transfer has enjoyed a breakout season... His best trait—best speed among 2026 wr prospects per b/r—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Tank Dell - field stretcher with elite speed-type player at the NFL level.
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Pick #121: Cole Payton (Quarterback, North Dakota State) - Grade C. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #135: Jude Bowry (Offensive Tackle, Boston College) - Grade C. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #161: John Michael Gyllenborg (Tight End, Wyoming) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #216: Jimmy Rolder (Inside Linebacker, Michigan) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #224: Landon Robinson (Defensive Line, Navy) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #230: David Gusta (Defensive Line, Kentucky) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #237: Jordan van den Berg (Defensive Line, Georgia Tech) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.---
Draft Class Summary
Overall Grade: B | 11 positions addressed across 12 picks.---