New NFL Network mock draft misses the mark for the Steelers

[ASFN Admin]

Thanks to a busy offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers head into the 2026 NFL draft with plenty of flexibility in the first round. But maybe not this much flexibility. NFL Network reporter Peter Schrager put out a one-round mock draft on the Pat McAfee Show and needless to say, the Steelers pick caught our attention but for all the wrong reasons.

Schrager opted for Clemson EDGE T.J. Parker to the Steelers at No. 21. This pick misses the mark for the Steelers on several levels. First, an edge defender is not a need. T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith are locked in with their contracts and Nick Herbig is a future star. Not to mention Jack Sawyer is just going into his second season. So, unless Schrager has some top secret information that says Watt or Highsmith are being traded before the draft, this pick makes not sense.

Not to mention, Parker isn't really a 3-4 edge in the truest sense. Obviously, we have no idea what sort of defense new head coach Mike McCarthy and new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham are bringing in. McCarthy has said he's sticking with the 3-4 but that could change and maybe Schrager is predicting that and this is why he went this direction.

"Jordyn Tyson is the most polarizing pick in this draft..

I got a text from a GM who said I don't think he goes in the top 20..

I got a text from another GM who said you think he drops all the way to 9" ~ @PSchrags#PMSLivepic.twitter.com/ftrhd5PnYN

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 7, 2026

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: New NFL Network mock draft misses the mark for the Steelers

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