The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for the 2026 NFL Draft, and with their first pick already made, the focus shifts to Day 2. The team has a strategic approach to this year's draft, aiming to address specific needs while also considering potential trade-ups for top talent. Here's a breakdown of the top targets for the Steelers on Day 2, with a focus on wide receivers, guards, cornerbacks, safeties, quarterbacks, and more.
Wide Receivers
- Denzel Boston, Washington
- Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee
- Germie Bernard, Alabama
- Antonio Williams, Clemson
- Bryce Lance, North Dakota State
- Chris Bell, Louisville
- Ted Hurst, Georgia State
- De'Zhaun Stribling, Ole Miss
- Ja'Kobi Lane, USC
- Zachariah Branch, Georgia
Boston and Brazzell are unlikely to be available at the Steelers' draft range, but Bernard stands out as a top-30 visit with a versatile skill set. Lance and Hurst offer high upside as outside receivers, while Williams is a compact, NFL-ready slot option. The class starts to thin after the top 10, but there's still value in the second and third rounds.
Guards
- Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
- Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M
- Jalen Farmer, Kentucky
- Kage Casey, Boise State
- Gennings Dunker, Iowa
- Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern
- Brian Parker II, Duke
- Beau Stephens, Iowa
- Billy Schrauth, Notre Dame
- Jeremiah Wright, Auburn
Pregnon is a solid pick but will turn 25 in October. Bisontis is a potential trade-up target, while Pregnon offers a safe pick with no major flaws. Farmer is a road-grader and a personal favorite, as is tackle-convert Casey. Dunker is high on many lists but may be too stiff for the Steelers' liking.
Cornerbacks
- Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
- Avieon Terrell, Clemson
- Colton Hood, Tennessee
- Keith Abney II, Arizona State
- Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
- D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana
- Treydan Stukes, Arizona
- Keionte Scott, Miami
- Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State
- Malik Muhammad, Texas
This class is deep, with McCoy and Terrell dropping to Day 2 due to injuries and poor testing. Ponds is a feisty slot option who can also play outside, while Igbinosun is a lengthy boundary corner with physical coverage skills. Stukes and Muhammad are pre-draft visitors and add to the excitement, with Stukes versatile as a nickel and Muhammad a lean coverage specialist.
Safeties
- Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
- Treydan Stukes, Arizona
- VJ Payne, Kansas State
- Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh
- Bud Clark, TCU
- A.J. Haulcy, LSU
- Genesis Smith, Arizona
- Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina
- Jalen Huskey, Maryland
- Zakee Wheatley, Penn State
McNeil-Warren is a turnover-generating machine, but the NFL's reluctance to draft safeties early limits his availability. Stukes' versatility as a cornerback-safety is noted, while Louis is a tweener who feels rich at 53. Payne is a solid alternative to McNeil-Warren, and the Steelers have pre-draft visitors available for safety on Friday.
Quarterbacks
- Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
- Drew Allar, Penn State
- Taylen Green, Arkansas
- Cole Payton, North Dakota State
- Carson Beck, Miami
The quarterback class is weak, with Nussmeier, Allar, Green, and Payton offering varying levels of talent. Nussmeier has underrated arm talent, while Allar has the size and arm of a franchise quarterback. Green is an incomplete product, and Payton is a productive FCS starter with questions about his NFL potential. Beck has the highest floor as a long-term backup but may not be a top-tier option.
Linebackers
- CJ Allen, Georgia
- Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
- Josiah Trotter, Missouri
- Keyshaun Elliott, Arizona State
- Jaishawn Barham, Michigan
- Jake Golday, Cincinnati
- Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
- Bryce Boettcher, Oregon
- Harold Perkins, LSU
- Jack Kelly, BYU
Allen and Rodriguez are smart prospects with playmaking abilities. Rodriguez, in particular, is a fan favorite with his coverage skills and turnover-forcing abilities. Trotter is a run stuffer, while Elliott is another strong option. The Steelers have pre-draft visits lined up for several of these players.
Defensive Line
- Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
- Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
- Christen Miller, Georgia
- Domonique Orange, Iowa State
- Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State
- Chris McClellan, Missouri
- Gracen Halton, Oklahoma
- Tyler Onyedim, Texas A&M
- Zxavian Harris, Ole Miss
- Rayshaun Benny, Michigan
The defensive line class is not strong, but Hunter, McDonald, and Miller are premium run stuffers. Orange is right there with them, and Jackson is a pre-draft visit with impressive 35-inch arms. Halton and Onyedim offer disruptive, undersized three-tech potential.
Tight Ends
- Max Klare, Ohio State
- Oscar Delp, Georgia
- Sam Roush, Stanford
- Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
- Will Kacmarek, Ohio State
The Steelers are likely to focus on blocking ability in the third round, with Delp and Kacmarek as potential targets. Klare and Stowers are pass-catching weapons but may not fit the team's needs unless they're out on Pat Friermuth.
The Steelers have a strategic approach to the draft, and with their Day 2 picks, they aim to address specific needs while also considering trade-ups for top talent. The community is eagerly awaiting the team's decisions, and the BTSC community is ready to discuss the top targets for the Steelers on Day 2.
