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The NFL Scouting Combine always reshuffles draft boards, but if you want to take a pre‑Combine swing at what the Steelers might do with the 21st overall pick of the upcoming NFL Draft, one place to start is with Pro Football Focus’s (PFF) 2026 Big Board. Before the testing numbers, medicals, and interviews tilt the league’s perception, PFF’s board gives us a clean snapshot of where the true blue‑chip talent sits — and which players realistically fall into Pittsburgh’s range.
Pittsburgh enters the 2026 draft with a familiar set of questions. New head coach Mike McCarthy inherits a roster with:
Some mock drafts have already linked Pittsburgh to offensive tackle help — including PFF’s own projection of Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor in their latest mock.
To keep this grounded, here are the players ranked a few spots above and below the Steelers’ 21st overall pick on PFF’s Big Board. Since this is simply a guess, there’s a chance any of these players could be available at 21, should Pittsburgh remain there. The positioning is important, because they could also move up, or trade back, providing a somewhat realistic projection of draft targets.
The Steelers could use even more interior defensive line help, but after spending a first-round pick on Derrick Harmon and a fifth-round pick on Yahya Black last season, playing time could be crowded for a rookie — especially with the developing young Keeanu Benton and if Cameron Heyward continues into his 16th season. Would they realistically reach for more defensive linemen this early, if that player wouldn’t see the field?
Sitting ranked right at 21 is McDonald, who had 65 total tackles — including nine for a loss — plus three sacks, in 14 games for the Buckeyes last season.
Another unlikely target for the Steelers, simply due to the uncertainty that they could bring Isaac Seumalo back or decide to promote Spencer Anderson as a full-time starter. It’s also unlikely given the number of guards who are picked in the first round, meaning starter-level players will be available in later rounds.
Interestingly enough, PFF mocked Alabama’s Kayden Proctor to the Steelers at 21. He’s currently ranked 25th on their big board. If interior offensive line help is a target, then the massive Penn State guard could also be in play at pick 21.
Don’t the Steelers have enough T.J.’s already?
An edge rusher who would fit the profile to bump out as a 3-4 outside linebacker isn’t an area of need for a Steelers team with T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig, as well as having drafted Jack Sawyer last season too.
Parker is an interesting specimen who popped onto the national stage with 19.5 TFLs and 11 sacks in 2024, but regressed in every category last season, accumulating five sacks and 9.5 TFLs.
Terrell has been mocked in many mock drafts already and would be a solid complement opposite a budding star with Joey Porter Jr. It all depends on how the Steelers evaluate impending free agents Asante Samuel Jr. and James Pierre. Regardless, a full-time potential starter would be a wise decision and the position sorely lacks depth.
Terrell is the younger brother of Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell, so the family pedigree already exists for NFL stardom. (If Mike Tomlin were still around, this pick would have way more smoke around it, as Coach T loved his bloodlines!)
Boston is the pick many Steelers fans have been pushing for: a big-body, WR1-type receiver who would pair nicely with D.K. Metcalf. The Steelers haven’t drafted a WR in 20 years since Santonio Holmes in 2006, so this would be a surprise.
The four-year college player had over 60 catches and 830 yards in each of his last two seasons with the Washington Huskies, including a total of 20 touchdowns.
That type of production might mean Boston doesn’t last until 21, but being listed as 20 on PFF’s board means the Steelers could find him within reach.
