Anticipation is building as the Pittsburgh Steelers are set to have 12 total selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, which will be held in the Steel City. General Manager Omar Khan can pretty much take any avenue he wants and, as of now, is holding onto the 21st overall pick in round one. Despite a trade to acquire Michael Pittman Jr., the organization might still be looking to take a young pass-catcher that can eventually blossom into a star. There are other needs too, however, and that is where it is going to get interesting for the front office depending on which prospects are available.
Gene J. Puskar / AP
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan stands on the playing surface and smiles while he has a conversation before a professional football game in Pittsburgh, PA.
The receiver class coming out of the college ranks is expected to be stout, and that means that any organization needing a third wideout should have the opportunity to wait until the second day if it so chooses. That is where it should get rather interesting with the Steelers, a team that addressed a big need, but also still has gaps to fill on the depth chart.
There are two other glaring needs that Pittsburgh has. The safety position has started to get a lot of attention, specifically after the upgrade within the wide receiving corps. The offense's starting left guard in Isaac Seumalo also departed in free agency, leaving no true polished starter on the roster. Because of this, Khan is going to have some options.
Since the new front office took over back in 2022, there has been a goal of building in the trenches. Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette was recently asked in a fan chat if the Steelers would potentially choose a guard — like Olaivavega Ioane — over a top-end wide receiver such as Jordyn Tyson. The insider's answer won't thrill the fan base.
"Great question," Fittipaldo noted. "Receivers are plentiful in this draft and guard isn't as deep. Even though they've taken OL a lot in the first round in recent years they might do it again in that scenario. Then again, McCarthy is an offensive coach. He was hired for a reason. They want to give him the weapons he needs so maybe Tyson would be the pick."
Tyson may be slipping due to medical reasons, but might be the top prospect in the draft at his position. Ioane is the unquestioned best interior offensive lineman, so Pittsburgh may be tasked with choosing between one or the other. Despite possibly having the option to solidify the receiving corps for the next three to four seasons, Fittipaldo believes that recent history proves that no one should be surprised if a guard is taken, unless new Head Coach Mike McCarthy steps in.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers new Head Coach Mike McCarthy smiles as he addresses the media during his introductory press conference that took place at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.
Many believe that simply because the draft is in Pittsburgh, the franchise will make a splash to put on a show. That isn't how the organization operates, though. The decision-makers are going to hone in on taking the best player available that can help the roster immediately. That very well might be Ioane. It would be a boring selection, but nothing would be more fitting for the Steelers' first-round pick as the event is held in the Steel City.
McCarthy might have a lot of say even though it is his first season with the team. If this is the case and he prefers a wide receiver in the first round, the front office may go in that direction, whether it is Tyson on the board or someone else. Regardless, the Steelers going back to the same approach isn't being ruled out, with Ioane being very much in play.
Penn State Athletics / Mark Selders
Former Penn State offensive guard Olaivavega Ioane sets up as he begins pass blocking for his quarterback during a collegiate football game.
Steelers Cannot Dismiss The Urgent Need For A Starting Left Guard
While it isn't the most exciting position on the field, Pittsburgh has a long history of producing franchise-caliber interior offensive linemen in the past. If the coaching staff and front office truly believe that the wide receivers' room is already upgraded, it could make complete sense to hold off on taking another one in the first round. This immediately opens the door for the Steelers to take either an offensive guard or safety.
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