Steelers mock draft: Pittsburgh trades back into first round for QB

We are just over two weeks away from the 2026 NFL Draft officially kicking off in Pittsburgh. I have long been of the opinion that the Steelers have been stacking picks in this draft for a reason. The team is currently slated to make 12 picks in this upcoming draft, something they haven’t done since the last NFL Draft to feature 12 rounds in 1992. It makes me think that Omar Khan and company could have a trick up their sleeve in the way of a huge trade-up. That is what this edition of BTSC Mock Draft Monday is all about.

Round 1, Pick 21: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

I ran to the table to select Jordyn Tyson 21st overall. Although recent reports suggest he could slide to the early to mid-20s in the first round, Tyson has arguably the most talent of any receiver in this draft.

So much about Tyson’s game fits the Steelers’ needs. Tyson is the technical, speedy, volume receiver that the Steelers need, who can play in the slot and on the outside. His versatility and ability to stretch the field give him the ability to be a playmaker at all levels for whoever gets the opportunity to draft him.

TRADE

Seattle Seahawks get: Second-round pick (N0. 53), third-round pick (No. 85)
Pittsburgh Steelers get: First-round pick (No. 32)

Round 1, Pick 32: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

Just as night one is coming to a close, the hometown Steelers make a trade to shock the crowd of over half a million people by trading back into the first round to draft their quarterback of the future in Ty Simpson. The compensation is very similar to the package that the New York Giants gave up last year to get back in the first round and select Jaxson Dart. The Steelers give up their second rounder and one of their three third round picks for number 32 overall. It took New York the same compensation to move up just nine picks last year, so the Steelers get good value comparatively.

Simpson will likely sit for the majority of this rookie season behind Aaron Rodgers, but that isn’t a bad thing at all. Simpson has lots of tools that make him a first-round caliber prospect. I come away impressed with Simpson’s ability to throw on the run, the more I watch him. He has a rocket arm and a great deep ball that could help him become a starting NFL QB.

Round 3, Pick 76: Kyle Louis, LB Pitt

Admittedly, Louis is one of my personal draft crushes. I don’t think it is an exaggeration to say that Louis was the best player on the field at the Senior Bowl practices just a few months ago. Louis played linebacker in college and projects as a unique linebacker who could also play box safety at the next level.

Louis possesses real speed that allows him to cover running backs out of the backfield and physicality that allows him to defend any tight end. There is no doubt in my mind that he could keep up with receivers on the back end as well. He had a top-30 visit with the Steelers as a local prospect a few weeks ago, and is a name that many teams will be eyeing on night two of the draft.

Round 3, Pick 99: Dontay Corleone, DL Cincinnati

Corleone is a run-stuffing nose tackle. The Steelers defensive line group is deep already, but they still struggled to defend the run last year. They looked better down the stretch with 2025 first-rounder Derrick Harmon in the lineup, but they will need more consistency from the entire line if they want to make a run with their current core. Enter Corleone, who can deal with double teams and possesses bull-rush strength.

Round 4, Pick 121: Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington

Prysock was one of the first players to be brought in for a top-30 visit with the Steelers. The Steelers value physicality in their corners, and Prysock certainly fits that mold.

The corner room becomes a bit more crowded when you consider the possibility of Jalen Ramsey moving back down to corner, given the addition of Jaquan Brisker, and the Jamel Dean signing. Prysock gives the Steelers a more long-term development piece with good length and the ability to slot in when needed.

Round 4, Pick 135: JaKobi Lane, WR USC

The Steelers’ current wide receiver room after DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman includes Roman Wilson, A.T. Perry, and Ben Skrownek. The point is, even after drafting Jordyn Tyson in the first round, it would not be shocking to see the Steelers double-dip in a later round.

Lane felt like too good a prospect to pass up in the fourth round. Lane would have to fight for reps in his rookie year, but that might not be a bad thing. Lane excels at the catch point, but doesn’t quite have the burst that someone like Tyson has. Lane could become a true red zone threat for the Steelers and round out a revamped receiver room nicely.

Round 5, Pick 161: Travis Burke, OT Memphis

Burke has been a fast riser as a prospect throughout this draft cycle. The tackle played over 3,000 snaps throughout his collegiate career. The Steelers are one of 12 teams to have brought the 6-foot-9 offensive lineman in for a top-30 visit. It’s easy to see why so many teams are interested in Burke, given his athletic ability and size. Burke could provide some much-needed depth on the offensive line for the Steelers for the low cost of a fifth-round pick.

Round 6, Pick 216: James Thompson Jr., DL Illinois

Thompson Jr. has already had a top-30 visit with the Steelers, so Pittsburgh snagging him at 216th overall seems like a no-brainer. The defensive lineman played six collegiate seasons and was a standout at the East-West Shrine Bowl this past January. Thompson can play anything from nose tackle to playing on the outside edge of the defensive line. He is a fun prospect with great hands and a ton of power. The 6-foot-6, 300-pounder is worth a shot in the sixth round.

Round 7, Pick 224: Max Bredeson, FB, Michigan

Despite being listed as a tight end in PFF’s mock draft simulator, Bredeson is very much a fullback. Interestingly enough, Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy has a history of utilizing fullbacks in his offense. Bredeson is perhaps the most pro-ready fullback you can have, with 54 career games played in college. He was a catalyst in the Michigan running game throughout his collegiate career. He can provide some immediate impact as a blocker for both the running game and in the passing game, lined up as a tight end.