PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t just entering the 2026 NFL Draft with a full clip; they’re walking in with a bazooka. Holding a projected 12 selections, general manager Omar Khan has more ammunition than nearly any other executive in the league. But let’s be real: this roster doesn’t need 12 rookies. It needs blue-chip difference-makers to push a playoff-caliber team into Super Bowl contention.
The buzz coming out of the South Side facility is palpable. With DK Metcalf locked in as the alpha receiver and Joey Porter Jr. establishing himself as a lockdown corner, the window is wide open. The strategy? Quality over quantity. Sources suggest the Steelers are seriously exploring a massive jump into the top 15 to secure a premier talent that slips through the cracks.
Target 1: The Bayou Ballhawk
If the Steelers want to turn their secondary into a “No Fly Zone,” Mansoor Delane is the button they need to push. After transferring from Virginia Tech to LSU for his final collegiate season, Delane didn’t just adapt to the SEC; he dominated it. Standing 6’0″ with elite length, he finished his collegiate career with a staggering 8 interceptions and 27 passes defended.
Pairing Delane with Porter Jr. creates a nightmare for opposing offensive coordinators. While Porter Jr. physically erases receivers at the line, Delane is the technician with elite ball skills. He’s projected to go in the 9-15 range, meaning Pittsburgh would likely need to package their 21st overall pick with a Day 2 asset to go get him. It’s a steep price, but for a corner who plays the run as violently as he plays the pass, it’s worth every penny.
Target 2: The Pipe Dream (Caleb Downs)
Let’s call this what it is: the absolute best-case scenario. Ohio State’s Caleb Downs is widely considered the safest prospect in the 2026 class—a safety with the IQ of a 10-year veteran and the athleticism of a track star. He is a chess piece who can erase tight ends, blitz off the edge, and patrol deep center field.
Normally, a player of Downs’ caliber is a lock for the top 5. But draft nights are weird. Quarterbacks get overdrafted. Tackles rise. If Downs slides past the top 8, expect Khan to work the phones frantically. Pittsburgh desperately needs a dynamic partner for DeShon Elliott, and Downs isn’t just a starter; he’s an instant All-Pro candidate. This would be the type of splash move that defines a decade of Steelers defense.
Target 3: The Explosive Playmaker (Jordan Tyson)
The offense has its bruiser in Metcalf, but it needs a burner. Enter Arizona State’s Jordan Tyson. While USC’s Makai Lemon has been linked to Pittsburgh frequently, Tyson offers a vertical element that is simply unteachable. After overcoming early-career injuries to explode onto the scene in the Big 12, Tyson has cemented himself as a top-15 talent.
Tyson tracks the deep ball better than almost any receiver in this class. His ability to take the top off a defense would force safeties back, leaving the intermediate middle wide open for Metcalf and the tight ends. If the offensive brass decides they want to win shootouts rather than defensive struggles, trading up for Tyson is the move.
“You look at the draft capital we have, and it’s a luxury. But luxuries don’t win rings—players do. If there’s a guy at pick 10 who changes our defense for the next five years, you go get him. We’re not in a rebuilding phase; we’re in a reloading phase.”
— AFC Scout on Pittsburgh’s aggressive posture
NHANFL Verdict: Time to Strike
The Steelers have spent years building depth. Now, armed with a surplus of picks and a roster ready to win, the conservative approach must die. Whether it’s Delane’s coverage skills, Downs’ pedigree, or Tyson’s speed, the Steelers have the currency to buy exactly what they need. Expect fireworks in April.
