Steelers mock draft: WR double-dip, QB, DB, guard who would win a ‘Royal Rumble’

If you are studying this, congratulations! You’ve formally made it to draft week, which suggests the upcoming finish of season hypothesis. As the Pittsburgh Steelers put together to host the draft with a league-high 12 picks in hand, it is time for one closing mock draft utilizing nuggets from the pre-draft visits and rumblings from behind the scenes. (Note: Asterisk denotes pre-draft customer.)

Round 1, Pick 21: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

I see the first-round choose being both a receiver, offensive lineman or defensive again. If Penn State guard Vega Ioane remains to be out there I feel he’ll be the choice — however I consider he’ll be gone, so I’m getting in a completely different course. Of the six gamers with first-round grades that the Steelers hosted, two of them had been receivers (USC’s Makai Lemon and Washington’s Denzel Boston), which indicators they’re nonetheless fascinated by this place even after the Michael Pittman Jr. commerce.

While Cooper did not go to, the Steelers knew him properly. He performed underneath new receivers coach Adam Henry at IU in 2022. He brings YAC potential that would match properly into Mike McCarthy’s offense and would additionally assist spherical out this room as a completely different, extra slot-capable (however nonetheless versatile) receiver.

Round 2, Pick 53: Treydan Stukes*, DB, Arizona

A flexible defensive again, Stukes performed for 3 completely different head coaches and 5 coordinators. All that change meant Stukes needed to put on a number of hats within the secondary, with 1,174 profession snaps within the nickel, 943 at exterior nook and 503 at security. With 4.33 velocity and a coach-like meanor, he might step in and fill a right away want as a free security. Over time, he might contribute within the nickel and out of doors. New defensive coordinator Patrick Graham likes to disguise coverages and Stukes’s flexibility would be an asset.

Round 3, Pick 76: Keylan Rutledge*, G, Georgia Tech

A two-time All-American at Georgia Tech, Rutledge has one in all my favourite blurbs in The Beast. An NFL scout advised Dane Brugler, “If the ACC had a Royal Rumble, (I’d) bet on this guy to be last man standing.” Rutledge missed 2024 spring practices whereas recovering from accidents suffered in a automotive accident (after which received the 2025 Piccolo Award, given to the ACC’s most brave participant). While he has a second-to-third spherical grade, perhaps these medical query marks push him into the early Round 3 vary.

Round 3, Pick 85: Travis Burke*, OT, Memphis

Broderick Jones’ unsure well being standing has made offensive deal with way more of a want than it gave the impression to be simply a few months in the past. At this level within the draft, the Steelers can guess on upside with Burke, a towering 6-foot-9, 325-pound lineman. Consider a late bloomer, maybe Burke’s finest soccer is forward of him, and a new offensive line coach, James Campen, who has a historical past of growing mid-round picks, can flip him into a future starter.

Round 3, Pick 99: Malik Muhammad*, CB, Texas

The Steelers hosted 5 corners (second-most of any place group) with grades that span the spectrum, from Rounds 1 to five. Muhammad, a starter for 2 and a half years, brings 4.4 velocity. However, he is a bit slender. Drafting him at this level, with Joey Porter Jr. and Jamel Dean already penciled in as starters, would give the rookie a while so as to add weight to his body.

Round 4, Pick 121: Carson Beck*, QB, Miami

McCarthy mentioned he is searching for a QB “at the right time,” with lengthy arms, massive fingers and a excessive flooring. Of the mid-round choices, the 6-4, 233-pound Beck finest checks all of these packing containers with almost 31-inch arms, 10-inch fingers and a 37-6 document as a starter.

Round 4, Pick 135: Will Kacmarek*, Ohio State

The Steelers went from an overstocked TE room that includes 4 gamers to only two after chopping Jonnu Smith and letting Connor Heyward stroll in free company. Kacmarek performed 77.3 % of snaps in-line in 2025 and is called a wonderful blocker, however he additionally has the certain fingers to be a well-rounded, conventional Y tight finish.

Round 5, Pick 161: Jack Kelly*, LB, BYU

A champion BMX racer as a child, Kelly is a fearless and violent linebacker. He was a two-year group captain at BYU and head coach Kalani Sitake known as him “one of the best football players” he has ever been round. He battled via shoulder accidents throughout his senior season and missed two video games, however the Steelers took a probability on a mid-round LB with well being query marks in 2024 (Payton Wilson), and that has largely paid off. Kelly would be a doubtless improve over Malik Harrison sooner or later, perhaps sooner relatively than later.

Round 6, Pick 216: Jeff Caldwell*, WR, Cincinnati

A double-dip at receiver might be within the playing cards, based mostly on the pre-draft guests. The Steelers hosted three gamers who ought to be chosen in Round 1 or 2, and three who shall be out there late. Towering at a shade over 6-5 and with 4.3 velocity, Caldwell remains to be growing. He spent 4 years at Lindenwood (a Division II faculty that upgraded to FCS) earlier than transferring to Cincinnati. As the sixth WR on the depth chart, he might present particular groups worth (he has two blocked factors on his resume) whereas growing into one thing extra.

Round 7, Pick 224: James Thompson Jr.*, DT, Illinois

The overwhelming majority of pre-draft guests got here in with middle-ground grades; Thompson was an outlier as the one participant with a super-late-round grade hosted by Pittsburgh. The Steelers have introduced in a variety of early-round defensive tackles in recent times and added depth with Sebastian Joseph-Day, who signed a two-year deal this offseason. Thompson would be a good piece to place within the pipeline.

Round 7, Pick 230: Traded to 2027

The Steelers aren’t going to pick 12 gamers. Chances are, they commerce not less than a few of their picks to maneuver across the draft board. They additionally want to start stockpiling draft capital to take an aggressive swing at a QB in 2027.

Round 7, Pick 237: Used to make small trade-up at earlier level

I do not know the place it’s going to occur, however sooner or later, the Steelers might want to make a small transfer up the board to land a precedence participant. Let’s simply say, in that hypothetical, they commerce this choose.