Steelers Draft Strategy Takes Shape

The Pittsburgh Steelers have now completed their NFL Combine meetings with prospects that will enter the 2026 draft. We now know they met with:

• 18 Wide Receivers

• 10 Cornerbacks

• 8 Safeties

• 7 Defensive Linemen

• 5 Offensive Linemen

• 5 Quarterbacks

• 4 Linebackers

• as well as a tight end and a running back

It seems clear that they've mainly focussed their attention on wide receivers and defensive backs this combine, a strong signal of their intentions come April. The sheer number and range of wide receivers alone even suggests a potential double-dip at the skill position could be on the cards, depending on how they fair in free agency next week of course.

What's also telling is that based on the consensus big board rankings provided by the Mock Draft Database, they've met with 8 players that are projected to go before and at the Steelers' 21st pick in the first round, of which four are receivers and four are defensive backs. Perhaps due-diligence is at play here, but to heavily zero-in on just two positions in this area of the draft is intriguing to say the least.

In true Khan/Weidl fashion, interest in the trenches is apparent with equal meetings of both offensive and defensive line prospects. It's hardly surprising with the potential loss of Isaac Seumalo and the impending retirement of Cam Heyward that strengthening of both lines is a big need this offseason. Oregon's Emmanuel Pregnon, who has played left guard for the majority of his colleagic career, as well as only allowing one sack and eight QB hits in three years, could be the ideal plug-and-play replacement to Seumalo.

With Patrick Queen heading into the final year of his contract, Malik Harrison likely leaving in free agency, and Payton Wilson still needing to show further growth, it's good to see the Steelers showing interest in four prospects from a draft that is strong at the off-ball linebacker position. A pressing need of this team is to find a solid run stuffer and it's pleasing to see them meeting with Georgia's CJ Allen who according to PFF recorded a 89.8 run defense grade and a 94th percentile tackling rate.

A less than strong draft in quarterback however has not deterred interest, with five prospects having met with the Steelers, four of which being formal meetings. For a team that desperately needs to find their next face of the franchise, I applaud them turning over as many of these stones as they see fit, despite my reservations on this class as a whole.

The pre-draft 'top 30' visits starting later this month will give more insight into which players the team are honing in on. But early indications reveal a path the Steelers are taking this upcoming draft.