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The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a very busy offseason and free agency, filling multiple top roster needs. This opens up a world of freedom for the Steelers when it comes to the 2026 NFL draft. The folks over the Pro Football and Sports Network have put out a new three-round mock draft, and they took care to account for the big additions, which gave this new mock draft a whole new look.
We won't be at all shocked if this is the pick in the first round for the Steelers. After adding a starting cornerback and wide receiver, the last starting spot up in the air is left guard after Isaac Seumalo left in free agency. Ioane is a day-one starter and a great fit with this talented young group.
After paying Queen's roster bonus this week, we expect him to come back next season as a starter next to Payton Wilson. The Steelers also re-signed Cole Holcomb so we don't look for a second-round linebacker in this draft. In this scenario, North Carolina State tight end Justin Joly would be a better replacement for Jonnu Smith and Connor Heyward.
If this scenario played out, we are sure the Steelers would be tempted to pull the trigger on Simpson. Simpson has flashed legitimate starting NFL skills but inconsistency tells us he isn't starter ready as a rookie but would represent solid value here.
With Calvin Austin III signing with the New York Giants, the team will give Roman Wilson a chance to earn the No. 3 spot but we are good seeing a shifty playmaker like Branch in the fold as competition.
As much as we love the pick of Ioane, it just makes the pick of Lew more puzzling. This is the second-to-last pick in the round, so we can't speculate too much here, but a 3-4 defensive lineman like Missouri's Chris McClellen makes a lot of sense.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Breaking down the Steelers picks in new three-round mock draft
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First round - G Vega Ioane - Penn State
We won't be at all shocked if this is the pick in the first round for the Steelers. After adding a starting cornerback and wide receiver, the last starting spot up in the air is left guard after Isaac Seumalo left in free agency. Ioane is a day-one starter and a great fit with this talented young group.
Second round - LB Josiah Trotter - Missouri
After paying Queen's roster bonus this week, we expect him to come back next season as a starter next to Payton Wilson. The Steelers also re-signed Cole Holcomb so we don't look for a second-round linebacker in this draft. In this scenario, North Carolina State tight end Justin Joly would be a better replacement for Jonnu Smith and Connor Heyward.
Third round - QB Ty Simpson - Alabama
If this scenario played out, we are sure the Steelers would be tempted to pull the trigger on Simpson. Simpson has flashed legitimate starting NFL skills but inconsistency tells us he isn't starter ready as a rookie but would represent solid value here.
Third round - WR Zach Branch - Georgia
With Calvin Austin III signing with the New York Giants, the team will give Roman Wilson a chance to earn the No. 3 spot but we are good seeing a shifty playmaker like Branch in the fold as competition.
Third round - C Connor Lew - Auburn
As much as we love the pick of Ioane, it just makes the pick of Lew more puzzling. This is the second-to-last pick in the round, so we can't speculate too much here, but a 3-4 defensive lineman like Missouri's Chris McClellen makes a lot of sense.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Breaking down the Steelers picks in new three-round mock draft
Continue reading...
