Steelers Could Already Be Eyeing The Steal Of The 2026 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers own over 10 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Steelers are likely to use some as part of a potential trade-up, but will also use them to address major issues with their roster. The Steelers are linked to wide receiver and secondary help in the first round; however, other positions of need, like linebacker, OL, and DL, will more than likely be chosen throughout the remaining mid-to-late rounds. An underrated position of need for the Steelers is a solid nose tackle, not named Yahya Black. The team lacks depth and needs a run-plugger, as their other defensive linemen excel primarily in pass rush. 

A name that intrigues NFL analyst Christopher Carter is Deven Eastern from Minnesota.

"I've been thinking Minnesota DT Deven Eastern could be this year's Yahya Black for the Steelers. Looking like a day three pick," Carter wrote. "Really liked him at the Senior Bowl, liking things I'm seeing as I've gone over things."

The Steelers could look to draft a run-stopper in this year's draft, as the team ranked 19th in the league, allowing 1,922 rushing yards to its opposition. This is a mark that needs to improve if the Steelers want their defense to be competitive in 2026. Eastern played four years at Minnesota and put together a nice string of seasons between 2023 and 2025. The defensive tackle is listed at 6'6" and 290 pounds, and would look to beef up the trenches in the Steel City. 

The Steelers have been adding to their depth at the position over the years. In 2025, the Steelers selected Derrick Harmon with the 21st overall pick in the draft. Harmon, however, struggled with a knee injury that kept him from multiple games. Another young name is Keeanu Benton. Benton is in the last year of his rookie contract, and the Steelers have a big choice to make in re-signing him or not. 

Benton is not known for his skills in the run game; however, he added 5.5 sacks in 2025. The Steelers, outside of the aforementioned Black, have to add a run stopper if they want to improve as a unit. The Steelers found themselves in too many games where teams were running with purpose on the Steelers' front. 

Eastern brings it in the run game and had five tackles for loss in each of his last two seasons as a Golden Gopher. Eastern manhandled linemen across the Big 10 and would be an impressive late-round add for the Steelers. To pair with Black, the two would be a perfect duo to stop opposing offenses from running the ball relentlessly on the Steelers. The Steelers need to shore up that interior line, and Eastern seems like a great value pick that fits the mold of Steeler football.

Steelers Need To Prepare For A World Without Heyward And Benton

The rumor mill is circulating that Steelers star defensive tackle Cam Heyward may either retire or demand money this offseason. The veteran, heading into his 16th season, may leave the Steelers in a bind. If Heyward comes back, it will be short-term; he is turning 37 soon, and retirement continues to loom. However, the vet showed no signs of stopping in the 2025 season and tallied 78 total tackles and three and a hald sacks. 

The Steelers will miss that production when Heyward decides to hang up his cleats. Benton will be on the last year of his deal and could be on the way out. If the Steelers want to remain competitive, they must put some draft capital into the spot now. 

A rookie defensive tackle taken this year will be able to have a season under his belt and learn from the all-time great, Heyward. If the Steelers decide to draft a young defensive lineman, it would prove valuable for setting up for the future. 

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