The 2026 NFL Draft takes place April 23-25, in Pittsburgh. “Breakfast with Benz” is previewing the Steelers’ potential selections at each position group with Matt Williamson, a former pro and college scout who has worked at Pitt and with the Cleveland Browns. Williamson is an on-air host at WDVE, Fox Sports Pittsburgh 970, and the Steelers Radio Network.

Our final preview for Friday looks at the secondary.

The Steelers paid a lot of attention to the secondary in the free agent market. They acquired cornerback Jamel Dean (Tampa Bay) and safeties Jaquan Brisker (Chicago) and Darnell Savage (Washington/Buffalo). Plus, they retained the services of Asante Samuel Jr.

But pro and college scout Matt Williamson says that doesn’t mean the Steelers are done addressing the back third of their defense.

And he thinks they’ll be looking for one specific trait.

“They will draft somebody in the secondary, if not two — especially if they make 10 or 11 picks,” Williamson said on Friday’s “Breakfast With Benz” podcast. “I would be looking for speed. I think the secondary still is on the slower end. Last year, I thought it was very slow. It’s a really deep and exciting safety draft. I might consider grabbing one of those guys in the third-, fourth-round neighborhood. I almost think they’re done at corner.”

Ohio State’s Caleb Downs is regarded as the top safety in the class. But he’s ranked No. 6 overall by ESPN.com. So he’ll be long gone before the Steelers even pick in Round 1. Similarly, the Steelers have often been linked to safety Dillon Thieneman of Oregon. But Williamson doesn’t believe he’ll last to pick No. 21 in the first round, let alone to the third round.

“There’s a 30% chance he even makes it to 21,” Williamson said. “If Brisker hadn’t been signed, I’d run to the podium for him. I love the player. He is more a free (safety). He’d be a really good complement to (DeShon) Elliot. Great player, great athlete. Understands the game extremely well. I just can’t see using a first-round pick on that for somebody that’s one of three safeties.”

More realistic projections include Genesis Smith (Arizona) and Jalon Kilgore (South Carolina). Smith had an informal meeting with the Steelers at the NFL Scouting Combine. But Williamson isn’t really fond of the idea of either prospect playing in Pittsburgh.

“Genesis Smith, I really dislike (as a fit). He does not like contact. He is a free-safety-only-ball-hawk. I don’t think his style of play fits in at all,” Williamson said. “Kilgore is an athlete who might be masquerading a little bit as a football player as well. Still needs to work on a lot of the finer points.”

In terms of players who might mesh well with the Steelers’ plans, Williamson and I both agree that Bud Clark of TCU checks a lot of the boxes. He is 6-foot-1, 188 pounds. He’s got good coverage skills and has six years of experience with the Horned Frogs.

Other candidates who may be right for new Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham include Penn State’s Zakee Wheatley. He had six interceptions and 144 tackles over five seasons in State College.

“Wheatley is intriguing. I could see him being a fourth-round type of dude,” Williamson continued. “I also like Treydan Stukes from Arizona — a really good athlete. VJ Payne from Kansas State or (Kamari) Ramsey would fit the bill from USC as well.”

Stukes is particularly interesting. He’s 6-1, 190 pounds and ran a 4.33 40-yard dash at the combine.

Also, during our podcast, Williamson talks about how the usage of Jalen Ramsey could play into the Steelers’ draft strategy in the secondary. He gets into the evolving view within the building of how the team will deploy free versus strong safeties, and why the visions of finding the next Mike Hilton may have to be shelved forever.

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