Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Mock Draft Roundup 4.0

Even if 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers returns, the Steelers need to start thinking long-term at quarterback. A second-team All-SEC honoree, Simpson is the best quarterback in this class not named Fernando Mendoza.

The clear-cut best guard in the draft is Ioane, who also happens to fill the Steelers' biggest need other than QB. Isaac Seumalo, who started at left guard in Pittsburgh for the past three seasons, left for the Cardinals in free agency. And I continue to believe that Aaron Rodgers will decide to play one more season with Pittsburgh.

Ioane is a physical, rugged guard who shows crunching power at the point of attack. He was exceedingly reliable at Penn State, meaning he could be a plug-and-play starter for new coach Mike McCarthy. Ioane ranks 14th among my top overall prospects.

One of my favorite value moves of the offseason was Pittsburgh trading for wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., but the team must continue to address that position. Thompson ran the fastest 40-yard dash at the combine (4.26 seconds) and led the SEC in receiving yards this past season (1,054). He can consistently get separation downfield, which will translate well to the next level.

He is the perfect Steelers player. He is nasty in the run game and good in pass protection. He's just scratching what he can become as a left guard, which is a position of need for the Steelers.

The Steelers traded for a WR2 (Michael Pittman Jr.), found a starter opposite Joey Porter Jr. at corner (Jamel Dean), rounded out their running back room (Rico Dowdle) and added safety options (Jaquan Brisker and Darnell Savage). The one glaring hole they didn't address was a replacement for left guard Isaac Seumalo. Omar Khan has made a concerted effort to upgrade the offensive line since he was promoted to GM in 2022, spending two first-round picks (tackles Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu), a second (center Zach Frazier) and a fourth (guard Mason McCormick) on this group. With yet another early-round pick on offensive line, the Steelers can take another big step toward their goal of dominating in the trenches. Given the uncertainty surrounding Jones' health after neck surgery, the OL becomes an even more important position to add to early. — Mike DeFabo

The Steelers have one wide receiver spot set with DK Metcalf, but they're still severely lacking options beyond him. They get a potential blessing with Tyson falling to the lower portion of the first round. At his best, and healthiest, Tyson is a bully when the ball is in the air. He shows real upside to grow into an NFL WR1. Who will be throwing the ball for Pittsburgh still needs to be settled, but that's nothing new for a Steelers offseason.

Could the draft's host team take a young quarterback to build around in the future? Sure. Is it the best move in a seemingly weaker QB class — especially if the Steelers want to give Aaron Rodgers, assuming he returns, the best chance to take this organization further in 2026? Of course not. Arguably the best blocker in this draft, the 6-foot-4, 320-pound road-grading Ioane — one with high RPMs who lined up at tight end in some packages — could move into the spot vacated by Isaac Seumalo.

Broderick Jones has underwhelmed at left tackle. With Miller in the fold, Troy Fautanu could move to the blind side in Jones' place, thus clearing a spot for the rookie at RT.

The Steelers' quarterback situation is still a big question. Will Aaron Rodgers return? Will another veteran step in -- such as Kirk Cousins? Or will Pittsburgh target a signal-caller in the draft? No matter what the Steelers plan to do, the top two quarterbacks are off the board here, and there isn't a third one worthy of a Day 1 selection.

Instead, Pittsburgh can try to replace Isaac Seumalo, who signed with the Cardinals. Ioane is the top pure guard in the class, with the power to physically move pass rushers out of the way and the light feet to erase second-level defenders. He didn't give up any sacks last season.

It feels like Ioane should be off the board by this point, but he isn't, so he'd be an obvious selection for the Steelers. He's the best interior offensive lineman in this draft. Maybe he won't be on the board for the Steelers when their pick comes around, but he'd be a tremendous fit if he is.