Breaking down the Steelers picks in huge new mock draft

[ASFN Admin]

The folks at Pro Football Sports Network have put out a brand new seven-round mock draft on the heels of the NFL Scouting Combine. The 2026 NFL draft is going to be crucial for the Pittsburgh Steelers with 12 total picks. The Steelers have the flexibility to trade up this year, stand pat or trade back and stockpile picks for 2027.

Let's break down all the Steelers picks in this mock draft.

First round - WR Kevin Concepcion - Texas A&M​

Concepcion is a popular pick for the Steelers. Wide receiver is certainly a top need, and despite him projecting as more of a slot receiver, we won't be shocked if it is the pick. If the Steelers take a receiver here, we'd love to see Indiana's Omar Cooper Jr., who has more size and is a more complete player. Safety Dillon Thieneman is also still on the board in this scenario and would represent the best player available by far.

Second round - G Gennings Dunker - Iowa​

We've said it before that if there's a player in this draft that looks like he was born to be a Steeler, it's Gennings Dunker. With Isaac Seumalo likely on the way out, this pick makes perfect sense. Dunker could come in and start from day one and solidify a great young interior offensive line.

Third round - CB Keionte Scott - Miami​

I love the thought process here of adding Scott to be a big, physical slot cornerback in the Steelers defense. This pick, paired with the team's last third-round pick as well as their first fourth-round pick really loads up in the secondary and that might be too much given the team's other needs.

Third round - DT Dominique Orange - Iowa State​

Orange is a pure nose tackle prospect and while we like him as a prospect, he's not going to play ahead of Keeanu Benton or Yayha Black. The Steelers need a defensive lineman, but are going to look for a guy who can get pressure off the edge and is taller and more explosive.

Third round - CB Tacario Davis - Washington​

Taking Scott makes this pick a little puzzling. Davis has had a strong season and offseason and we wouldn't complain if he were the pick here. But with Scott already a pick, it might be better to address another position of need here, including a quarterback like Arkansas' Taylen Green.

Fourth round - S VJ Payne - Kansas State​

Payne is a player we've loved as a potential Steeler since the start of the season. He was probably the second-best safety at the combine, and with that, we expect him to end up a Top 100 pick by the time the draft gets here.

Fourth round - RB Kaelon Black - Indiana​

Passing on LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier for Black here is the first real miss of the draft. Nussmeier has connections to Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy and getting him here is no risk/all reward if he pans out.

Fifth round - LB Jack Kelly - BYU​

Solid, blue-collar inside linebacker who would fit well with the Steelers as a depth guy and special teamer.

Sixth round - TE Riley Nowakowski - Indiana​

Nowakowski is a real sleeper pick who is best in the seam but adds some value as a hybrid tight end/fullback who could replace Connor Heyward.

Sixth round - WR Caleb Douglas - Texas Tech​

Douglas would be a steal here. He was one of the fastest players at the scouting combine and this is combined with an elite frame and body control.

Seventh round - EDGE Keyshawn James-Newby - New Mexico​

James-Newby was a combine snub who impressed NFL teams at the Shrine Bowl. If the Steelers decide to trade Alex Highsmith or T.J. Watt, this pick would be a steal for the future.

Seventh round - QB Joey Aguilar - Tennessee​

A throw-away pick at this point. Aguilar isn't Brock Purdy and has almost no ceiling as an NFL player. I'd rather see the Steelers pass on Black in the fourth and roll the dice on Jadyn Ott here at running back.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Breaking down the Steelers picks in huge new mock draft

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