Our 2026 draft needs as of 8-29-25

Although it is way too early to talk about the draft for most, we can see our need now and who is signed in 2026.


https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/pittsburgh-steelers


Total Cap Liabilities: $251,291,797

• Top 51: $243,358,793
• Team Cap Space: $44,208,203

Active Roster (37 total ) in 2026


Clearly we need more than 37 players. 6-10 rookies will take up about 12 Million in cap space for 2026.

Which gives us approximately 32 more million to spend. Not bad. We can get a max contract type of player.

We have a protected 12 draft picks in 2026! That is a lot of draft capital.


Right now I am trading our #1 ,#2, and #3, along with next year's #1 to move into the top 8 picks overall and draft a franchise quarterback.

We could trade Tomlin too for more draft picks. Shut up Joel you're dreaming...

 

Well, we likely can find other money with restructures/extensions or cuts if we have to/want to. Ultimately we will have to try to fill out our team with draft picks and normal vet signings.

We definitely are considering a trade up for a QB. I would say that outside of QB, we are in pretty desperate need of a WR. We could take a stab at a LG in the draft too so we have a plan after Seumalo. Safety is an option as well. Depending on what we do with Heyward, DL could be in line for another pick as well. I like Black and Harmon, but behind them and Benton there isn't much to get excited about outside of decent depth pieces. I would say the rest of the OL, TE, ILB, OLB, RB, and CB are probably not seeing draft picks/signings. We seem reasonably set there.

 

UGH
CAP HELL

THANKS TOMLIN!!!!!!!

 

We have Roman Wilson, and unless I miss my guess he will be a soild #2 WR. He sure balled out this summer showing top quickness, speed, and good hands.

We could use better 5th and 6th DL players.

 

I wouldn't give up top 3 picks in 2026 and a number one pick in 2027 to move up.

 

Then how would you move up from the 19-21 range into the Top 5?

 

I t was a while ago but the Chiefs only gave up three picks to get Mahomes, they gave up two firsts and a third .

 

The only draft need we need right now is from the beer tap.


ARod has said this is his last season. We absolutely saw the will he/won't he circus with his mentor Favre. Who knows?


Watt just signed a new deal at 30. Cam is still one of the best at 36. We have invested several draft picks on DL. Maybe we look at another early OLB this draft?


OL is another position we have spent early draft capital on. I may be one of the few fans that actually loves drafting OL in the first round. If Isaac moves on after this season he'll need to be replaced. I would love another Decastro, on the left this time.


ILB is not a priority currently unless another Shazier should drop in our laps. But, DB is a very real option to draft every single year.


Other than that, I'm good for now.

 

The 2025 College Football Season just got underway. Who knows what the QBs heading into the NFL will look like by the midway point of the season; much less the end of it. Give the season some time; same goes for these QBs.


Plenty to look forward to!

 

Man after my own heart.

 

Winner.

 

We can go outside CB assuming that Ramsey will be moving around quite often. S if Downs is in range somehow. DL maybe but how high depends on what we feel about Harmon and Black's development. LB and Edge are not getting drafted anywhere idt. Offensively, I can see a G being taken... but how high? I'd almost prefer to sign one instead. OT is an option if Jones sucks. WR is definitely an option and definitely high (first or second round). TE, RB, C... definitely not. QB obviously depends on whether or not Rodgers wants to keep going and whether or not the guy we want is available in our draft range.

 

Wilson can’t find the field again this year. Trending bustola.

 

As of 9-2025, I like to following picks in the 2026 draft.



#16 - STEELERS
Round: 1 (Round Pick: 16) Best QB on the board


#48 - STEELERS
Round: 2 (Round Pick: 16) Best OT on the board


#77 - STEELERS
Round: 3 (Round Pick: 13) Best Guard on the board


#80 - STEELERS
Round: 3 (Round Pick: 16) Best WR on the board


#98 - STEELERS
Round: 3 (Round Pick: 34) Best ILB on the board




#116 - STEELERS
Round: 4 (Round Pick: 14) DB


#133 - STEELERS
Round: 4 (Round Pick: 31) DL


#155 - STEELERS
Round: 5 (Round Pick: 17) OT


#176 - STEELERS
Round: 5 (Round Pick: 38) RB


#194 - STEELERS
Round: 6 (Round Pick: 18) Best kick returner on the board.


#211 - STEELERS
Round: 6 (Round Pick: 35) Best FB on the board.


#229 - STEELERS
Round: 7 (Round Pick: 13) Best Special team defensive player left on the board.


-JB

 

They aren't going to make 12 picks they will trade up to get their QB.

 

A smart GM gets a ton of 1st contracts in the draft and uses free agency to re-sign his own " A players " and go after 2-3 other free agent players.

 

And there won't be 12 rookies good enough to make the team.

 

So again, for people who may or may not understand how the first round works, it is as follows;


1.) A third of the picks will be hits.

2.) A third of the picks will be average.

3.) A third of the picks will be busts.



The end. It is not nearly as complex as the National Media makes it out to be. Speaking of the Steelers specifically, outside of Kenny Pickett and Devin Bush, there haven't been any major glaring busts. Terrell Edmunds was average; Najee Harris the same. Jury is still out for Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu no less. All signs are pointing up for Derrick Harmon though it is way too early to say whether or not he will buck the trend.

 

At this point, given how messy Pittsburgh's CB situation is, you may just get your wish. The 2026 QB Class as a whole is doing unbelievably poorly. I still believe there is something there with Taylen Green though I'd be lying if I said that Jayden Maiava and Dante Moore were not impressing me. Now, that said, the 2026 Crop of Corners has just as many unknowns as the QB Position.


Going to sound a bit silly but A.J. Harris from Penn State would be the premier fit for the Steelers. Fits the archetype well and is very sound in Man Coverage. Off Zone could use some work but Press Zone is where he will shine early and often. Definitely worth the First Round Pick if the QB Options are off the board.

 

Likely not. 9-10 players can make the team. Some will be practice squad players. Some are cuts. The key point is this. We pick who will make the team from the best 12 drafted players. A regular draft is 7 players. The odds of having a good job are in our favor.

In 2026 as of 10-2005 only 38 players are under contact. An that is before we cut the fat.