With the level of anticipation befitting an official countdown clock not far from the draft stage’s site on the North Shore, the NFL Draft finally begins Thursday in Pittsburgh. Rest assured that each of the 32 teams began their draft preparations for just about as long as the clock has stood (it was erected on May 12, 2025).
Here’s TribLive Steelers beat writer Chris Adamski’s stab at how the first round will play out:
1. Las Vegas Raiders
QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
The national champion and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback is a no-brainer choice to serve as the fulcrum for the Raiders’ rebuild.
2. New York Jets
EDGE Arvell Reese, Ohio State
A playmaker at both off-ball linebacker and edge rusher in college, positional value pushes Reese outside in the pros.
3. Arizona Cardinals
EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech
Bailey’s resume is elite both in production (nation-most 14½ sacks last season) and workout numbers (4.50 seconds in the 40).
4. Tennessee Titans
EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
Bain had 6½ sacks over his final five college games, including Miami’s run to the national title game.
5. New York Giants
WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Believing they have their QB of the future in Jaxson Dart, the Giants give him a weapon at WR after losing Wan’Dale Robinson in free agency.
6. Cleveland Browns
OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
The Browns had one of the NFL’s best defenses in 2025 but went 5-12 because of an offense that needs myriad upgrades.
7. Washington Commanders
RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Love might be the best player in the draft and could help make a magical offense alongside Washington QB Jayden Daniels.
8. New Orleans Saints
S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
With the pedigree of a former NFL player’s son comes superb instincts and football IQ in a playmaking package that has a considerably high floor.
9. Kansas City Chiefs
CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
After trading away CB Trent McDuffie for a first-round pick last month, the Chiefs get his replacement in the first round.
10. New York Giants
LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
New York invests the pick it got this past weekend for veteran DT Dexter Lawrence back into its defense. Styles could turn into a playmaking star.
11. Miami Dolphins
OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
Something of a polarizing pick because he has only 17 career college starts, Freeling has prototype size and the skill set for an NFL tackle.
12. Dallas Cowboys
CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
The athletic McCoy did not play last season because of a torn ACL suffered last spring or else he might have been drafted even higher.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta)
WR Makai Lemon, USC
The Rams have one of the NFL’s top offenses and WR pairs, but Davante Adams is 33 and Lemon is a long-term running mate for Puka Nacua.
14. Baltimore Ravens
G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Baltimore has a history of securing the best player in a given draft at undervalued positions; there’s no guard better in 2026 than Ioane.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DT Peter Woods, Clemson
Tampa Bay has a history of trading down, so don’t be surprised if it’s someone else picking here. If not, the powerful Woods is hard to pass up.
16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis)
QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
This would disappoint some Steelers fans who want a first-round QB. The Jets take another swing at finding their next face of the franchise.
17. Detroit Lions
OT Spencer Fano, Utah
As a versatile, physical and fiery player, Fano seems like a good fit for Lions coach Dan Campbell.
18. Minnesota Vikings
S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
In need of a successor for franchise icon Harrison Smith, the Vikings get an instinctive, experienced, versatile and highly productive safety.
19. Carolina Panthers
TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Carolina is set at all offensive skill positions aside from tight end, a position at which Sadiq is by far the best prospect.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay)
EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
With one of the picks from the Micah Parsons trade, Dallas attempts to secure the next Parsons by way of the 6-foot-6, 276-pound Faulk.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Even with DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr., the Steelers need more help at WR. Tyson is a high-ceiling prospect held back only by extensive injury history.
22. Los Angeles Chargers
EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami
Mesidor had 5½ sacks during Miami’s four College Football Playoff games and has a demeanor that will mesh well with L.A. coach Jim Harbaugh.
23. Philadelphia Eagles
OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
An enormous 6-7, 352 pounds and a three-year college starter, Proctor has star-level potential but might end up at guard.
24. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville)
WR Omar Cooper, Indiana
The Browns did little in free agency to improve what is one of the league’s worst WR corps, and Cooper is a plug-and-play prospect.
25. Chicago Bears
S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
The rare first-round prospect in this NIL era from a mid-major program, the 6-3½ McNeil-Warren has outstanding size and a playmaking background.
26. Buffalo Bills
EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
Buffalo needs pass-rushing help, and Howell led the SEC in sacks during the regular season.
27. San Francisco 49ers
OT Blake Miller, Clemson
Miller made 54 starts over four college seasons. At 6-7, 317 pounds, he projects as a long-term NFL right tackle.
28. Houston Texans
DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
Another Buckeye off the board, the 6-2, 326-pound McDonald is perhaps the best run-stuffing defensive lineman available.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via Los Angeles Rams)
WR Denzel Boston, Washington
After a rare down year, the Chiefs once again bolster the skill-position group around QB Patrick Mahomes with the sure-handed Boston.
30. Miami Dolphins (via Denver)
EDGE Zion Young, Missouri
An all-around end who excels against the run, Young provides more young talent to build around for Miami.
31. New England Patriots
DT Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
A stout 318 pounds, Hunter is strong. An All-Big 12 selection as a senior after three seasons at UCF, Hunter clogs the interior and eats up offensive linemen.
32. Seattle Seahawks
RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
The only two running backs taken in the first round are from the same school. Seattle let Super Bowl MVP RB Kenneth Walker leave in free agency.