Pro Football Focus analyst Gordon McGuinness released a three-round mock draft for the 2026 NFL Draft, projecting the Pittsburgh Steelers to select Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane at No. 21 overall to replace Isaac Seumalo. Additional picks target wide receiver, safety, quarterback, and defensive line needs following free agency.
After a week of free agency, the Pittsburgh Steelers face lingering questions at quarterback, where Aaron Rodgers remains undecided, and at left guard following Isaac Seumalo's departure to the Cardinals. Special teams also pose concerns, according to Steelers Depot analysis of PFF's latest mock draft published on March 16, 2026, by Gordon McGuinness. Spencer Anderson is set to start at left guard in 2026, though the team views him primarily as developmental talent. McGuinness writes, “The Steelers have done a fantastic job rebuilding their offensive line in recent years, but they could opt to replace Isaac Seumalo, who left for the Cardinals in free agency, in the first round of the draft.” He projects Olaivavega Ioane from Penn State at No. 21, citing Ioane's elite 90.9 PFF pass-blocking grade on true pass sets in 2025, the best among guards. Ioane is described as a versatile mauler comparable to Dallas Cowboys' Cooper Beebe, potentially anchoring alongside Zach Frazier for years. One scout called Ioane's tape “one of the best IOL I've watched since Quenton Nelson … it's just too damn good,” per a March 11, 2026, clip. In the second round, UConn wide receiver Skyler Bell, a Biletnikoff finalist with 101 receptions, 1,278 yards, and 13 touchdowns in 2025 after transferring from Wisconsin, addresses receiver depth behind DK Metcalf and newly acquired Michael Pittman Jr. Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley adds centerfield versatility amid one-year deals for Jaquan Brisker and Darnell Savage. Third-round selections include LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, linked to head coach Mike McCarthy, aligning with Gerry Dulac's report that Pittsburgh eyes quarterbacks no earlier than round three. Cincinnati defensive lineman Dontay Corleone bolsters the interior, despite injury history, as Cameron Heyward ages and recent additions like Sebastian Joseph-Day and retained Esezi Otomewo crowd the room.
