3 players Steelers must avoid in first round of 2026 NFL Draft

The 2026 NFL Draft is less than 10 days away, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have plenty of prospects to consider ahead of the big event. Holding pick No. 21 in the first round of the draft, the Steelers would be wise to stay away from these three prospects, including one wide receiver who’s been heavily linked to Pittsburgh.

QB, Ty Simpson, Alabama The Steelers would be making another Kenny Pickett mistake if they draft Simpson with the 21st overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft — a subpar class for quarterbacks compared to next year’s batch of signal callers. OT, Kadyn Proctor, Alabama There are plenty of worthy offensive line prospects the Steelers should consider drafting with pick No. 21 — but Proctor isn’t one of them.

After what can only be described as an up-and-down 2025 season, Proctor likely heads into the draft hoping a team in desperate need of an offensive tackle reaches in the first round — and hopefully it won’t be Pittsburgh. WR, Denzel Boston, Washington Boston, although exceptional in contested catch scenarios, may struggle to create separation at the next level, especially given overall speed concerns for the hulking wide receiver. Pittsburgh already has two receivers who fit the massive build that Boston offers in DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman, and the Steelers would be smart to go a different route at receiver.

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