"Most Likely Player": Steelers' Choice For First-Round Selection Revealed

The Pittsburgh Steelers will have fans on the edge of their seats when the 21st overall pick arrives on Thursday evening. There is no guarantee that the organization will go in any specific direction, particularly because the front office did a great job throughout the free agency period when it came to bolstering the roster and filling holes. General Manager Omar Khan and new Head Coach Mike McCarthy will truly have the ability to take the best available player, so everyone will have a very good idea of what the franchise's big board looks like if it stays in that spot in round one and takes a difference-maker.

It always seemed as if wide receiver was going to be the proper decision, and that still is possible, but after trading for Michael Pittman Jr., it isn't as much of a need as it once was. Now, there is a lot of concern for the left side of the offensive line with the uncertainty surrounding Broderick Jones and Isaac Seumalo's departure to the Arizona Cardinals.

Then, the safety position is also very much in play. The room is relatively put together for the Steelers currently; however, there isn't a lot of long-term potential on the roster. Pittsburgh has gone a couple of years without true top-tier safety play, so selecting a young playmaker could go a long way in revamping the defensive backfield.

Speculation is at an all-time high, but not for Steelers beat writer Brian Batko. In a recent chat that he hosted for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, a fan questioned the reporter about that first-round pick. Olaivavega Ioane from Penn State came up, and Batko was not trying to hide the fact that the offensive guard is likely to be the team's top target.

"Now you've got Dexter Lawrence in the AFC North, too," Batko wrote. "I know it's only two games a year, but Mike Tomlin always used to talk about drafting players who can help the Steelers beat the Ravens, Bengals and Browns when the chips are down. Here's where my thoughts are crystallizing on the first-round pick: Vega Ioane is the most likely player, but I'm not sure he's more likely than one of the wide receivers, based on his availability and theirs. If that makes sense."

Essentially, Batko is assuming that Ioane will be at the very top of the Steelers' big board once the team is on the clock in round one. If a specific receiver were to slip down the board, things could get interesting, though. It wouldn't be the most exciting pick; however, Ioane projects to be a starting interior offensive lineman for a decade or longer, something that would really help Pittsburgh fulfill its most important wish, which is solidifying the trenches.

It also should be noted that the Steelers still have hope that Aaron Rodgers will be returning for his age-43 season. The decision-makers trust him to get playmakers the ball, but he needs the time in the pocket to dissect defenses. This wasn't always the case in 2025, and that might be one of the main reasons why Pittsburgh ends up selecting a plug-and-play left guard.

There is plenty of draft capital at Khan's disposal, so taking a nasty lineman in round one isn't the end of the world, particularly if he ends up being a franchise cornerstone. Additionally, if the Steelers take a versatile player that can maybe play tackle, the writing on the wall for Jones might not be very good.

Steelers Are Still Filling Out The Trenches Years Later

In 2023, Khan went after Jones in the first round by trading up a couple of spots. In 2026, after the prior three years all had an offensive or defensive lineman taken in round one, more of the same could come to fruition. Ioane is a mauler and could be a phenomenal guard at the next level. With a deep receiver class, it shouldn't surprise anyone if Batko is spot on with this prediction.

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