The Steelers got off to an inauspicious start to the 2026 Draft when the Eagles traded ahead of them to take WR Makai Lemon in the first round. Omar Khan was left twiddling his thumbs and ultimately took Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor. The Steelers do have a need at tackle with Broderick Jones’ neck injury and at guard after Isaac Seumalo left in free agency. Despite an underwhelming first round pick, the Steelers can right the ship on Day 2 with four picks (#53 in the second round and picks #76, #85, and #99 in the third round). Based on Mike McCarthy’s Draft History, he has found success with Day 2 Wide Receivers and offensive guards in the 3rd-5th rounds. With the Steelers holding the 21st pick in the 2nd round, here’s a look at our Top 21 prospects still available, as well as some other names to watch.
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1. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S-Toledo)
While Caleb Downs is more of a strong safety and Dillon Thieneman is a true free safety, EMW has positional versatility to play either safety spot. He is long and rangy, producing numerous turnovers and big plays during his time at Toledo. For as aggressive as EMW plays, he only took one penalty in his time at Toledo and is a strong locker room presence. McNeil-Warren came to Pittsburgh for a pre-draft visit.
2. Denzel Boston (WR-Washington)
Boston is a big-bodied receiver who the Steelers brought in for a pre-draft visit. Scouts have drawn comparisons between Boston and new Steelers receiver Michael Pittman. Boston isn’t going to run away from anyone, but is strong at the catch point and a good route runner. He isn’t afraid to go over the middle and will make tough grabs in traffic. Boston was a productive college player with 60+ catches and 800+ yards each of the last two seasons, finding the end zone 20 times. Boston also came to Pittsburgh for a pre-draft visit.
3. Jermod McCoy (CB-Tennessee)
McCoy missed all of 2025 with a torn ACL but rehabbed and ran a blazing 4.37 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. Over the last week, some additional injury question marks have popped up and he may need surgery to repair a bone plug, unrelated to his ACL. In his sophomore campaign in 2024, he was an All-American talent (13 passes defended, 4 INTs). McCoy’s medical evaluations will be the key to his draft stock. We put him just outside our Top 21 due to those concerns but it is very likely a team could gamble on him higher up the draft board. The Steelers met with McCoy at the Combine.
4. Avieon Terrell (CB-Clemson)
Another corner with some medical question marks who has first round-quality tape. Avieon is the younger brother of former first round pick AJ Terrell. He is just 5’11” but competes all over the field and excels in press man coverage situations where he can use his hands and physicality up close. Terrell isn’t afraid to stick his nose in against the run and has the versatility to play inside or outside in the defensive scheme. He started 31 straight games at Clemson but had some soft tissue injuries in the pre-draft process. He wasn’t able to participate in Clemson’s Pro Day then tweaked his hamstring during a private workout. The Steelers met with Terrell at the Combine.
5. Kayden McDonald (DT-Ohio St)
This is not a great class of defensive tackles, and at the top of the class the players are either run stuffers or pass rushers but not many that possess both traits. McDonald is the best run-stuffer in the class who plays angry in the trenches and mauls offensive linemen. Ohio State’s linebackers were kept clean and able to attack the ball thanks to McDonald occupying blockers in the trenches. He only had 3 sacks during his career at Ohio State (all 3 coming last season) but also ramped up his TFL numbers (9 last year) showing that the penetrating part of his game has grown. McDonald met with the Steelers at the Combine and Andy Weidl attended Ohio State’s Pro Day.
6. CJ Allen (LB-Georgia)
The Georgia linebacker has been hailed for his leadership and locker room presence. Georgia was the only Pro Day that Mike McCarthy attended and quotes from his coaching staff reflect his high character and work ethic. Allen rang up a ton of tackles as the leader of the Bulldogs defense and didn’t commit a penalty while in college. He is more of a downhill attacking defender who can key and diagnose against the run. His zone drops sometimes leave him searching but his intangibles will find him a place on an NFL team.
7. Germie Bernard (WR-Alabama)
Bernard has flashed all over the field and is capable of winning from both the slot and outside. He is a good route runner, capable of running the whole route tree. He has good hands but suffered through some bad QB play. To his credit, he never hung his head or blamed his quarterback for missing him when he was absolutely wide open. Bernard is at his best on in-breakers and dig routes where he can find the soft spots across the middle of the field. Bernard met with the Steelers at the Combine and came to Pittsburgh for a pre-draft visit.
8. Jacob Rodriguez (LB-Texas Tech)
Rodriguez is a former quarterback who transitioned to linebacker. He understands the game and can diagnose quickly. He flashes great movement all over the field and is a rangy linebacker that can track and attack plays over the middle of the field. Rodriguez came to Pittsburgh for a pre-draft visit and the Steelers saw him at the Senior Bowl.
9. Colton Hood (CB-Tennessee)
Hood is best as a Zone/Press corner. He displays good play strength, but can take plays off that don’t go to his side. Hood will fight and battle receivers when he can lock on to them but can give up too much space in off coverage when he is put on an island. The Steelers met with Hood at the Combine and saw him at the Senior Bowl.
10. D’Angelo Ponds (CB-Indiana)
Ponds has some of the best ball skills in the draft. He is aggressive and athletic but at only 5’9″ some teams will be hesitant about his ability to play outside. Ponds plays a physical game and is a high IQ player with great leaping ability to make up for his height limitations. The Steelers met with Ponds at the Combine.
11. Brandon Cisse (CB-South Carolina)
Cisse is the kind of corner that could absolutely excel in a Seahawks-style system. He is a press man corner with long arms who will physically beat up on a receiver over the whole game. His struggles are in run support and in off coverage, but if a team lines him up to press, he will be able to thrive. Cisse met with the Steelers at the Combine.
12. Treydan Stukes (DB-Arizona)
One of the late risers is the Draft is the Arizona defensive back. Stukes has very good ball skills and split his time at Arizona between corner and safety. With his athleticism and range, his best spot in the NFL might be as a free safety. Stukes came to Pittsburgh for a pre-draft visit.
13. TJ Parker (EDGE-Clemson)
Parker is a well-rounded EDGE prospect who showed flashes against both the run and as a pass rusher. He is still raw in his technique and will need to develop his moves as a rusher but he has the size and frame and willingness to set the edge against the run to succeed. The Steelers scouted Parker at the Senior Bowl.
14. Chase Bisontis (G-Texas A&M)
Bisontis is a versatile guard who is quick off the ball and has the ability to pull and execute blocks all over the field. He has the foot speed to get to the second level and delivers walloping blocks with great play strength. The Steelers met with Bisontis at the Combine.
15. Chris Bell (WR-Louisville)
Bell is coming off an ACL tear and didn’t run at Combine, so his pre-draft medicals will be very important. At 6’1″ 220 he can physically dominate defensive backs, but usually wins on speed and size as he is not the sharpest route runner.
16. Cashius Howell (EDGE-Texas A&M)
Howell was a one-year starter at Texas A&M who has excellent burst and quickness off the line. He plays with a violent edge and has the speed to get around tackles. His run defense needs a bit of work but he has great upside as a pass rush specialist in the NFL.
17. Jake Golday (LB-Cincinnati)
Golday is a hybrid EDGE/inside linebacker with good range. His best spot in the NFL might be in a 4-3 scheme as strong side blitzer. Golday is adept at stacking and shedding blocks to track down ball carriers. The Steelers met with Golday at the Combine.
18. Emmanuel Pregnon (G-Oregon)
Pregnon has just one year of starting experience under his belt but thrived in Oregon’s gap-based blocking scheme. He has a large frame and great arm length for a guard and is heavy in his punches. Pregnon’s tape has numerous instances of him knocking opposing defenders completely off-balance. The Steelers met with Pregnon at the Combine.
19. Elijah Sarratt (WR-Indiana)
Sarratt is a polished well-rounded receiver, with good size and hands. He was a consistent target for Fernando Mendoza in Indiana’s run to the National Championship. He doesn’t have breakaway speed but is a steady, reliable receiver who can get open in soft spots in the zone. The Steelers met with Sarratt at the Combine.
20. Keionte Scott (DB-Miami)
Scott is a corner/safety hybrid with the ability to line up anywhere in the defensive backfield. His best spot in the NFL might be as a nickel corner. He attacks against the run but prior to Miami he had some struggles as a pure outside corner at Auburn. On defense he plays with a linebacker’s mentality. Scott also brings upside as a punt returner and he met with the Steelers at the Combine.
21. Ted Hurst (WR-Georgia State)
Hurst might be the biggest boom/bust prospect on Day 2 of the draft. He is big and runs with speed and strength, drawing several comparisons to George Pickens. Hurst’s best trait is his footwork where he is nimble in routes and with the ball in his hands. His overall game needs more consistency and there are some attitude questions. The Steelers saw Hurst at the Senior Bowl and met with him at the Combine.
The Next Best
QB – Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), Carson Beck (Miami)
RB – Mike Washington Jr (Arkansas), Emmett Johnson (Nebraska), Kaytron Allen (Penn State)
WR – Malachi Fields (Notre Dame), Antonio Williams (Clemson), Jakobi Lane (USC), Chris Brazzell (Tennessee), Kendrick Law (Kentucky)
TE – Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt), Oscar Delp (Georgia)
OL – Gennings Dunker (Iowa), Markel Bell (Miami)
DT – Christen Miller (Georgia), Domonique Orange (Iowa St), Lee Hunter (Texas Tech), Darrell Jackson (Florida St)
EDGE – Zion Young (Missouri), R Mason Thomas (Oklahoma), Gabe Jacas (Illinois)
LB – Kyle Louis (Pitt), Anthony Hill (Texas)
CB – Keith Abney (Arizona St), Davidson Igbosun (Ohio St)
S – Bud Clark (TCU), AJ Haulcy (LSU), Zakee Wheatley (Penn St)
