After a free-agency period in which general manager Omar Khan did an excellent job filling out the top of the depth chart across offense and defense, the initial general consensus was the Pittsburgh Steelers would not have to draft for need.
As that draft clock on the North Shore ticks down, however, the Steelers perhaps appear to be zeroing in more than ever at a few specific spots — at least in regards to their first handful picks.
Wide receiver, offensive tackle and guard seemingly have to be addressed by the time Day 2 of the festivities ends around midnight Friday. Odds are, the first-round pick will come from one of those areas.
Conventional draft wisdom dictates waiting until the middle rounds before attacking guard, a position to which relative little value is associated. But Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane is regarded highly enough that the temptation to grab him if he’s available in Round 1 might be too difficult to resist.
Offensive tackle has at least seven prospects with first-round ability, meaning the Steelers certainly will have the choice of a few when (if?) they’re on the clock at No. 21 overall.
But after two full seasons in the wilderness at WR2 and WR3 — and with a new offensive-minded head coach who deploys three-WR sets as much as anybody — it says here that the Steelers will zero in on adding a pass-catching playmaker.
Unfortunately, a top tier of players at the position has emerged, and the three wide receivers who are part of it — Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, USC’s Makai Lemon and Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson — seem unlikely to be on the board.
But the guess is that the Steelers remain steadfast in their pursuit of a player to add to a position room that currently houses DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. — and not much else.
Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. was the leading receiver for last season’s college football national championship winner, and he’s the choice in Round 1 of my annual TribLive mock Steelers draft.
It is important to note that for this exercise, trades were not considered. But it is fully expected that the Khan will be busy maneuvering around the board and won’t end up making 12 selections.
But if they did, here’s a stab at who the Steelers might end up with:
First round (No. 21)
Omar Cooper, WR, Indiana
Only nine of the 45 other WRs at the combine had bigger hands (9-5/8 inches). Only two had more touchdowns (13) in 2025.
Second round (No. 53)
Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech
Rutledge has the demeanor and play style to fit in just fine among a Steelers OL group that needs more competition at guard.
Third round (No. 76)
Darrell Jackson, DT, Florida State
Though he needs some polish, Jackson has the size (315 pounds) and tools to reach a higher ceiling in a Steelers position room that needs depth.
Third round (No. 85)
Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
Yes, the Steelers need two WRs in this draft. No, it’s not too early for the second. Fields can swallow up catches with his size (218 pounds) and strength.
Third round (No. 99)
Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
If you’re going to take a developmental quarterback in the middle rounds, why not take one with the highest ceiling — even if he also has the lowest floor?
Fourth round (No. 121)
Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
At only 182 pounds, concerns abound over his size, but Muhammad showed good coverage skills in the SEC.
Fourth round (No. 135)
Travis Burke, OT, Memphis
At almost 6-9, Burke is a unique prospect, but the Steelers have history with such oversized players (Alejandro Villanueva, Darnell Washington, etc.).
Fifth round (No. 161)
Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami
Playing for a third school in three years in 2025, Thomas broke out for the national finalists with seven takeaways (5 INTs, 2 FFs).
Sixth round (No. 216)
Jack Kelly, LB, BYU
Kelly was a playmaker and two-time team captain in college who had 10 sacks and 13½ tackles for loss as a redshirt senior.
Seventh round (No. 224)
Khalil Dinkins, TE, Penn State
A North Allegheny alum whose dad, Darnell, played at Pitt and in the NFL, Dinkins was a strong blocker in college and has upside as a receiver.
Seventh round (No. 230)
Vincent Anthony Jr., OLB, Duke
There are worse developmental fliers to take at this point in the draft than on a guy who had 13 tackles for loss and 7½ sacks last season.
Seventh round (No.237)
James Thompson Jr., DT, Illinois
Thompson has experience after spending six years in the Big Ten (five at Wisconsin) while suffering a pair of significant injuries. He has been productive.