Steelers seven-round 2025 NFL mock draft: Pittsburgh makes surprising move with 21st pick; grabs QB on Day 3

Armed with 12 picks, the Pittsburgh Steelers are in position to do big things during the NFL Draft, which fittingly will take place in the Steel City. 

Pittsburgh already experienced a busy offseason. It started with the abrupt resignation of Mike Tomlin and the move to replace him with Mike McCarthy. The Steelers made several notable additions during free agency, including former Colts wideout Michael Pittman Jr., running back Rico Dowdle (who played for McCarthy in Dallas), defensive backs Jamel Dean, Jaquan Brisker and punter Cameron Johnston. 

For a second straight offseason, the Steelers must wait on Aaron Rodgers. Regardless of what Rodgers does, Pittsburgh may decide to use a high pick on a quarterback. Pittsburgh does have Will Howard, a 2025 sixth-round pick who helped lead Ohio State to a national title, on its roster, too.

The Steelers don't have any glaring needs. They need to round out their receiving corps while adding depth at offensive and defensive line, linebacker, tight end and in the secondary. The Steelers should be in a position to draft the best-available players instead of focusing on any specific need.

Pittsburgh most likely won't keep all 12 picks, but for the sake of this exercise, there are no changes in order to identify what players may be available each time the Steelers are slated to be on the clock. 

Without further ado, let's kick this off.

Steelers' 2026 NFL Draft picks

• Round 1: Pick 21
• Round 2: Pick 53
• Round 3: Pick 76 (via trade with Cowboys)
• Round 3: Pick 85
• Round 3: Pick 99 (compensatory pick)
  
• Round 4: Pick 121
• Round 4: Pick 135 (compensatory pick) 
• Round 5: Pick 161
• Round 6: Pick 216 (compensatory pick) 
• Round 7: Pick 224 (via trade with Patriots) 
• Round 7: Pick 230 (via trade with Colts)
• Round 7: Pick 237

Steelers seven-round mock draft

Round 1, Pick 21 Emmanuel McNeil-Warren S Toledo • Sr • 6'4" / 202 lbs Projected Team PROSPECT RNK 1st POSITION RNK 1st PAYDS 3535 RUYDS 276 INTS 6 TDS 48 McNeil-Warren would get a chance to learn the ropes from Jalen Ramsey, who converted from corner to safety during his first season in Pittsburgh. The Toledo standout checks multiple boxes as a physical safety who has a nose for the football. He forced nine fumbles and returned one of his two picks for a score in 2025.

Round 2, Pick 53 Emmanuel Pregnon IOL Oregon • Sr • 6'4" / 314 lbs Projected Team PROSPECT RNK 68th POSITION RNK 2nd While the recent signing of Brock Hoffman made it less of a need, the Steelers should still acquire another interior offensive lineman. During the 2025 season, Pregnon earned an 86.7 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus, the second-best among all FBS guards.

Round 3, Pick 76 Elijah Sarratt WR Indiana • Sr • 6'3" / 210 lbs Projected Team PROSPECT RNK 97th POSITION RNK 13th REC 70 REYDS 1198 YDS/REC 17.1 TDS 14 Pittsburgh hopes to continue its long, successful history of finding future star receivers during the draft. Sarratt caught 23 touchdowns in two seasons at Indiana, which included an FBS-best 15 in 2025. He would essentially be the No. 3 wideout working with DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr.

Round 3, Pick 85 Kyle Louis LB Pittsburgh • Jr • 6'0" / 220 lbs Projected Team PROSPECT RNK 155th POSITION RNK 24th The Steelers may not have to look far to find their next inside linebacker. Louis, who played his entire collegiate career at Pitt, filled the stat sheets. During the span of his final two seasons, he tallied 182 tackles (24 for loss), 10 sacks, six interceptions (returning one for a score), two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Round 4, Pick 99 Sam Roush TE Stanford • Sr • 6'5" / 260 lbs Projected Team PROSPECT RNK 306th POSITION RNK 38th Roush would help fill the voids left by Jonnu Smith and Connor Heyward's offseason departures. He draws some comparisons to Heath Miller -- the greatest tight end in Steelers history -- in terms of his blocking ability and being a security blanket for quarterbacks in the passing game.

Round 4, Pick 121 Julian Neal CB Arkansas • Sr • 6'2" / 203 lbs Projected Team PROSPECT RNK 311th POSITION RNK 3rd If nothing else, Neal gives the Steelers some depth at cornerback. An imposing figure at 6-foot-2 and 208 pounds, Neal became the first Razorback in six years to break up multiple passes in consecutive games.

Round 4, Pick 135 Jude Bowry OT Boston College • Jr • 6'5" / 314 lbs Projected Team PROSPECT RNK 376th POSITION RNK 27th Pittsburgh should use at least one pick on an offensive tackle with Broderick Jones coming off an injury and going into the final year of his rookie contract. A team captain last season, Bowry played left tackle since 2023 and has not allowed a sack since 2024.

Round 5, Pick 161 Carson Beck QB Miami (Fla.) • Sr • 6'4" / 225 lbs While he has his flaws (most notably his consistency), the 6-foot-4 Beck is nonetheless an intriguing prospect who did a lot of good things during his long college career. This past season, he threw 30 touchdown passes, completed an impressive 72.4% of his passes, led the ACC with a 157 passer rating, and nearly led the Hurricanes to the school's first national title in 24 years.

Round 7, Pick 216 Cyrus Allen WR Cincinnati • Sr • 5'11" / 180 lbs Expect the Steelers to select multiple wideouts during the draft. In Allen, the Steelers would get a speedy playmaker who could help fill the void left by Calvin Austin's departure. Allen's 13 touchdown receptions in 2025 led the Big 12.

Round 7, Pick 224 Jimmy Rolder LB Michigan • Sr • 6'2" / 240 lbs Rolder started to flash his potential during his final season at Michigan. In 12 games, Rolder recorded a team-high 73 tackles, two sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery. An All-Big Ten performer, Rolder was also an accomplished special teams player during his time at Michigan.

Round 7, Pick 230 Roman Hemby RB Indiana • Sr • 6'0" / 207 lbs It makes sense for the Steelers to draft a running back to compete for Kaleb Johnson for playing time behind Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle. After a solid career at Maryland, Hemby helped Indiana win the national title last year. In 16 games, Hemby ran for 1,120 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging nearly 5.0 yards per carry. He is also a capable pass catcher.

Round 7, Pick 237 Albert Regis DT Texas A&M • Sr • 6'1" / 317 lbs Regis could learn the ropes from Cam Heyward while giving Pittsburgh some interior depth. A key part of a stingy Texas A&M defense, Regis is a talented run-stuffer who also made his presence felt as a pass rusher defender with two sacks and three pass breakups in 2025.