4 big takeaways from Steelers picks in new ESPN mock draft
Jordan Reid from ESPN has a huge seven-round mock draft out and here are our takeaways from the Steelers picks.
The 2026 NFL Draft is set to kick off on Thursday in Pittsburgh, PA. ESPN NFL draft writer Jordan Reid took on the unenviable task of putting together a full seven-round mock draft that includes all 257 picks. 12 of those picks belong to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Reid makes all 12 picks and we have thoughts on what went right and what went wrong.
The picks First round - WR KC Concepcion - Texas A&M Second round - S A. J. Haulcy - LSU Third round - DT Dominique Orange - Iowa State Third round - G Jalen Farmer - Kentucky Third round - QB Carson Beck - Miami Fourth round - LB Harold Perkins - LSU Fifth round - DL LT Overton - Alabama Sixth round - WR Kaden Wetjen - Iowa Seventh round - CB Thaddius Dixon - North Carolina Seventh round - TE Lance Mason - Wisconsin Seventh round - TE Tanner Koziol - Houston Best pick - G Jalen Farmer Waiting until the fourth pick to address guard is a risky move but Farmer is a great option.
He's a punishing run blocker who fits in perfectly with the Steelers interior offensive line. He needs some work in pass pro but with two years as a starter can plug in and handle the run game. Worst pick - QB Carson Beck Taking a quarterback in the Top 100 isn't our favorite strategy at all in this draft but Beck doesn't check the boxes for what the Steelers are looking for in terms of athleticism and toughness.
With North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton still on the board, it just makes this pick look even worse. Best value - DL LT Overton Some pundits had Overton as a first-round pick going into the season. He didn't perform up to expectations in 2025 but his size and athleticism as a 3-4 defensive end is hard to pass on for the Steelers.