Happy draft season! It’s the time of year to obsess over a bunch of buzz words and phrases: best player available, positional value — you get the idea. And of course: debating who is really worth Pittsburgh’s first round pick in 2026.
What position should PIT target in the first round?
Most would agree a team shouldn’t enter Day 1 of the draft with an “X position or bust” mindset, but some are undoubtedly bigger needs than others. For instance, last year the Steelers could’ve gone a few routes with their first pick, but with a big need at defensive line and a favorable board at the position, D-line was a clear frontrunner before the picks even started coming off the board.
This year, it’s even less clear, although free agency should clear up the picture somewhat in March. But before then, here are the positions I see as most likely to be the Steelers’ first-round pick:
Wide receiver: The Steelers have had a wide receiver depth problem for multiple years now, and under new head coach Mike McCarthy it’s reasonable to expect a greater emphasis on the passing game. Plus, there’s a handful of receivers heading into the NFL Combine with mid-first round grades from the consensus. And with the Steelers already paying D.K. Metcalf top-five money for his position, it’s tempting to invest more in the position through an affordable rookie deal versus splurging in free agency.
Safety/cornerback: I’ll combine these secondary positions as there’s still some speculation as to where the Steelers want to play Jalen Ramsey in 2026. If he stays at safety, cornerback depth takes a massive hit, and if he moves back to the slot or boundary, Pittsburgh has a gaping hole opposite DeShon Elliott. There are some intriguing potential first-rounders at both cornerback and safety, but the most interesting would be Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, who many argue is the best overall player in the class. If he falls due to positional value, would the Steelers and their 12 projected picks consider a trade up?
Offensive guard: I don’t see the Steelers spending a third first-round pick in four years on an offensive tackle, especially while left tackles Broderick Jones and Dylan Cook are still on the roster. But with Isaac Seumalo set to hit free agency, Pittsburgh could complete its offensive line youth movement by selecting a guard early. Due to positional value, guards can slide in the draft, but offensive line play is essential to succeeding in the NFL, especially for a team such as the Steelers with questions at quarterback.
Defensive line: The Steelers’ Derrick Harmon pick last year looks like a hit, but it didn’t completely solve the defensive line issues, either. Keeanu Benton remains inconsistent. Cam Heyward won’t play forever. And the depth behind the top three struggled at times in 2025. Pittsburgh has prioritized the trenches in the first round of every one of Omar Khan’s drafts as Steelers general manager, and it could easily be the play once again in 2026. There are a number of talented defensive linemen who could be available when the Steelers pick at No. 21.
Quarterback: The most unlikely of the five options in this article, quarterback seems unlikely due to the strength (or lack thereof) of the class this year, but it’s still a live option as passer remains the Steelers’ most prominent long-term roster need. The odds of Fernando Mendoza landing in Pittsburgh are essentially zero, and many would argue there aren’t any other first-round worthy names in 2026. But position inflation means it wouldn’t be a shock if someone such as Ty Simpson snuck into the first 32 picks. And the Steelers, who still haven’t found the answer at quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger, could be a team willing to take that risk.
What positions are you eying for the Steelers’ first round pick? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments!