An early look at a full mock draft for 2026

Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 draft.


It's getting close to thanksgiving so I think it's time to talk turkey. The 2025 Steelers are not likey to make the playoffs, and if we do, odds are we are one and done. Don't get me wrong I will still watch and root hard. With that said I am doing a early mock draft for 2026 on 11-25-2025


Once the players work out, get measured and play the playoffs and postseason Senior Bowl, it will be more refined but as of right now here's what I would do.


I will be using this excellent site for this bio's , which I recommend as the best on the web.


https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/DraftOrder/2026/Steelers

With no further ado, he is who I would select as of 11-23-2025



Round one. QB John Mateer.

https://nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/John-Mateer-QB-WashingtonState

He gives us hope in case Howard who has yet to play isn't the answer. Clearly Rodgers won't be back, and Ruodlph is a backup ... If we can trade down at the end of round one, I am for that and picking up additional draft picks. Mateer was very good in 2024 and is playing hurt in 2025



Round two.

G Inone. A powerful player for our run game, Semualo won't be back. Steeler fans will love his style of play.. A mobile road plow he is.

https://nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Vega-Ioane-OL-PennState



Round Three A

CB Chalder Rivers

https://nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Chandler-Rivers-DB-Duke.


We need a solid #3 cover, and with luck a good #2. Rivers can fill that role and adds a lot of Special teams


Round Three B

FS Earl Little

https://nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Earl-LittleII-DB-Alabama

Good workout #'s and production on the field in terms of forcing fumbles and making interceptions.



Round 3 C

WR Bryce Lane

https://nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Bryce-Lance-WR-NorthDakotaState#google_vignette


A big possession receiver with a good catch radius and nose for the end zone.



Round 4 A

OT Blake Miller

https://nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Bryce-Lance-WR-NorthDakotaState#google_vignette


A solid player who is very durable. He is smart and flexible.



Round 4 B Jason Henderson

https://nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Jason-Henderson-LB-OldDominion

A small school star who is productive vs the run.




Round 5 P Chace

https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/_/id/5220347/john-hoyet-chance


Has a great leg and is skilled at dropping punts inside the 20. High yard per punt 47.1 and Net 42.7. Fans wll love his eyebrows too. Our current punter is too inconstant.



Round 6A

DT Jordan Hall

https://nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Jordan-Hall-DL-Georgia

A run stopper who can project to a NT with added weight.



Round 6B

FB Man Bredeson

https://bnbfootball.com/2026-nfl-draft/fullback-rankings/

A hammer of a blocker


Round 7A



WR Colbie Young

https://nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Colbie-Young-WR-Georgia


Another very good possession receiver who is tall and smart,



Round 7B

OT Turner Corocran

https://nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Turner-Corcoran-OL-Nebraska

A big coachable swing tackle.




Well that is the draft for now. When the off season comes I hope for a new Head coach, and a new offensive line coach. Happy turkey day to all!

 

Waaaay too early for putting names in draft slots. As much as I do enjoy playing with the mock draft sims, watching visits, and just generally trying to guess who we will actually draft vs who I want to draft.


NIL has changed the way prospects view leaving early.

 

That guard is a poor fit. Square peg in a round hole

 

I remember this time of year we were looking forward to a deep playoff run.

Truly sad.

 

Why do you say that? Have you seen him play? I think he a grade A run blocker and a grade B pass blocker.

 

He’s playing in a gap scheme and we predominantly run an outside zone scheme. It would be Dotson all over again with a bunch of fans whining about natural position while ignoring the importance of scheme

 

He can play zone blocking as he moves well and man. And he is a good puller. Strong dude with a wide base.

 

He can play zone blocking as he moves well and on man. And he is a good puller

 

Mock Draft time baby!!!







For the first round, John Mateer is likely to return to School. NFLDraftBuzz has yet to update as, as of today's date, the College Football Season isn't over. However, given how Mateer has played since coming back from that injury, it wouldn't serve him well to declare this year. Not only him either, Nico Iamaleava, LaNorris Sellers, Arch Manning and Dante Moore are all also likely headed back as well. That would leave Pittsburgh with drafting either an OT or a WR. Of the two, WR seems to be the better fit. That said, outside of Jordyn Tyson via Hines Ward, there isn't much to state which WR Pittsburgh should opt for. Due to who they have scouted this season thus far, Makai Lemon, Chris Bell and even Denzel Boston appear like wild cards. Carnell Tate would likely be option number one but he is going to be the first one off the board.


For Round Two?! Vega Ioane actually would be an amazing value... provided he is even there to begin with. He will be a First Round Guard; a rarity even though three went the year before. I don't have him graded as highly as I did Grey Zabel but I do have him graded higher than Tyler Booker for certain. Now, as for if he would fit into Pittsburgh's scheme?! That is about as good of a fit as one is going to find. Only Jake Slaughter from Florida, Brian Parker from Duke or Charles Jagusah from Notre Dame would be better fits. Not for Round Two sans Jake but the others would be rock solid options.


For the Round Three options all together, a quick summary of each

1. Chandler Rivers would basically be getting Asante Samuel Jr. but it is good insurance assuming otherwise. I anticipate Asante Samuel Jr. playing sooner than later. For that matter, even if he is gone, I expect the Steelers to target Slot CB in Free Agency before they do so in the draft due to how difficult it is to play.
   
   
   
2. Solid pick. That said, if Zakee Wheatley or Keon Sabb is available, those two would be superior options for Pittsburgh's Defense.
   
   
   
3. Bryce's Route Tree and inability to separate consistently are big no no's historically from how Pittsburgh targets their receivers. Others like Zachariah Branch from Georgia or Evan Stewart from Oregon fit the profile much more and can be had roughly in the same round.
   
   

Onto the Round 4 options that you have. Just like before, here are my thoughts on each:

1. Blake Miller dropping this far is highway robbery. A battle tested OT with both experience and athleticism who can play multiple schemes. He would be the premier player to take over for Broderick should he leave in 2027 and/or provide rock solid Swing Tackle ability as a Rookie.
   
   
   
   
2. I will admit, haven't watched too much of him. That said, given how scarce Pittsburgh's Corner Room is, I would target there. If LB was going to still be the option here?! Maybe Jaishawn Braham from Michigan though I doubt he falls that far.
   
   

Again, haven't done my film study on Punters. That said, I would advise drafting one this early on Day Three. Waitman did have a bad game but he is by no means a bad Punter.




Rounds six and seven I will lump together to round out the mock draft:

1. Bear Alexander would have been my preferred choice over Jordan Hall. I am all about improving the run but you gotta have some pass rush juice to go along with it. Yahya Black is an excellent example of a prospect who few people didn't pay enough attention to his higher than projected ceiling when it came to generating pressures.
   
   
   
2. Agree about Max 100%. He is fun to watch, is just as much of a Special Teams Ace and can provide much more in the Running Game. He might not have Connor Heyward's abilities as a Receiver but he is sparingly used there anyhow.
   
   
   
   
3. Colbie Young I haven't watched too much of. That said, I wouldn't be shocked if he goes higher. He doesn't show much athletically but his main skillset combined with his frame will allow him to fit into a variety of West Coast/Play Action based systems.
   
   
   
4. Turner Corocran will be shooting up draft boards imo by the time we get to the Draft in Pittsburgh. His age might hinder him but his versatility and potential at IOL will allow him to vastly outplay his draft slot. I would be delighted if he was the final pick.
   
   
   

Overall?! I would give this a B. John Mateer in Round One, as of now, is way too rich for me but having the likes of Vega Ioane and Blake Miller slotted where they are more than make up for it. Rock solid hits with Max Bredeson and Turner Corocran also add some value. I haven't done too much film study with Jason Henderson and zero on the Punters. I will say though that Pittsburgh historically doesn't select FCS Players that high that often; usually in the back half of Day Three. Chandler Rivers, Bryce Lane and Jordan Hall were the major questions I had personally.