PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers just hit the reset button on their future. Following a blockbuster free agency that brought Michael Pittman Jr. to the Steel City, general manager Omar Khan is hunting for youth. We ran the PFF 2026 NFL Mock Draft simulator to see exactly how Pittsburgh might operate this April, and the results deliver a massive 12-player class headlined by Auburn defensive end Keldric Faulk and Miami quarterback Carson Beck.
Building the Post-Watt Defense
Auburn’s Keldric Faulk comes off the board at Pick 21. Standing 6-foot-6 and 276 pounds, Faulk spent three seasons tormenting SEC tackles. He racked up 10.0 career sacks for the Tigers and brings a positionless versatility that perfectly fits Pittsburgh’s aggressive scheme. With Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt aging, the Steelers desperately need fresh blood on the edge. Faulk provides a massive, high-character anchor who can instantly disrupt the pocket.
The defensive overhaul continues on Day 3. Washington cornerback Tacario Davis arrives at Pick 121, bringing a towering 6-foot-4 frame ideal for specialized dime packages. Florida’s Tyreak Sapp follows at Pick 135, offering a rotational interior presence with an explosive first step. Oklahoma safety Robert Spears-Jennings rounds out the secondary depth at Pick 230.
Beefing Up the Offensive Trenches
You cannot win the AFC North without a nasty offensive line. Losing Isaac Seumalo left a gaping hole at left guard, and Broderick Jones’ lingering neck injury forced Pittsburgh to seek immediate insurance. Enter Iowa’s Gennings Dunker at Pick 53. A three-year starter for the Hawkeyes, Dunker clears running lanes with sheer brute force. He projects as a plug-and-play guard who can slide to tackle if Jones remains sidelined.
“You win in November and December with guys who can move bodies. We want maulers who make the ground shake when the ball gets snapped.”
— Offensive Line Coach, Pittsburgh Steelers
Reloading the Backfield
The simulator aggressively attacked the running back position. At Pick 76, the Steelers drafted Arkansas phenom Mike Washington Jr. Weighing 223 pounds with blazing 4.33 speed, Washington brings a terrifying mix of size and velocity to spell Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle. You could almost feel the energy shift in the stadium every time he touched the ball for the Razorbacks last fall. Later rounds delivered even more backfield depth with Indiana’s Roman Hemby (Pick 224), UTSA’s Robert Henry Jr. (Pick 237), and a rare fullback addition in Navy’s Eli Heidenreich (Pick 216).
Finding the QB of the Future
With Aaron Rodgers currently steering the ship, Pittsburgh has the luxury of drafting a developmental signal-caller. Miami’s Carson Beck falls into their lap at Pick 99. Beck brings invaluable championship pedigree from his Georgia days and pure arm talent from his final season with the Hurricanes. Watching Beck navigate the immense pressure of prime-time games, you see a kid who never blinks. Sitting behind a Hall of Fame veteran gives Beck the breathing room to refine his mechanics without the immediate pressure to produce.
Pittsburgh also added receiving depth for whoever lines up under center. Oklahoma speedster Deion Burks (Pick 85) clocked a flat 4.3 at the combine, offering a lethal slot weapon to complement Pittman and DK Metcalf on the outside. Missouri’s Kevin Coleman Jr. (Pick 161) adds another layer of quick-twitch route running to the receiving room.
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
This massive rookie haul forces immediate competition across the entire roster. The AFC North demands physical dominance, and drafting road-graders like Dunker and defensive giants like Faulk signals that Pittsburgh refuses to get bullied. Beck’s arrival officially starts the clock on the post-Rodgers era, ensuring the Steelers have a succession plan ready. If these rookies hit the ground running in training camp, Pittsburgh transforms from a playoff hopeful into a legitimate AFC heavyweight.
