The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2026 NFL Draft with a league-high 12 selections, and general manager Omar Khan wasted no time putting those assets to work. Through the first four rounds, the Steelers have addressed nearly every glaring need on their roster while also making a few calculated swings on high-upside developmental players.
With Day 3 currently unfolding in real time, the Steelers still have multiple picks remaining in Rounds 4 through 7. What began as a treasure chest of capital has already produced a class that feels like a quintessential Steelers draft -- heavy on trench players, polished football character, and a few names that will make casual fans scramble for their scouting notebooks.
This is your complete, rolling tracker of every Steelers selection, complete with initial grades, scheme fit analysis, and scouting report summaries. As Day 3 picks come in, this article will be updated to reflect the full 12-man class.
Round 1, Pick 21: Arden McPherson, EDGE, Georgia
Scouting Report: McPherson is a long, explosive edge defender who wins with first-step quickness and a rapidly expanding pass-rush toolbox. At Georgia, he posted 11 sacks and 18 tackles for loss as a junior, showing the ability to bend the arc against top-tier SEC tackles. He's not a finished product against the run, but his motor is relentless and his hand usage is advanced for a player his age.
Grade: A-
Fit Analysis: This pick feels like a direct extension of the Steelers' defensive identity. McPherson fits perfectly as an outside linebacker in this 3-4 scheme, where his primary responsibility will be to hunt quarterbacks alongside T.J. Watt. The Steelers needed a long-term complement on the opposite edge, and McPherson offers the kind of explosive burst that can collapse pockets and force offenses to account for pressure from both sides.
Round 2, Pick 53: Jamal Riggins, WR, TCU
Scouting Report: Riggins is a nuanced route runner with excellent body control and reliable hands. He caught 87 passes for 1,204 yards and 10 touchdowns in his final season at TCU, operating primarily from the slot. He lacks elite top-end speed, but he separates with his route craft and understands how to sit down in zone windows.
Grade: B+
Fit Analysis: The Steelers' wide receiver room needed an infusion of reliability and YAC potential. Riggins projects as an immediate slot option who can move the chains on third down and provide a safe target for whoever is under center. In an offense that has sometimes lacked a consistent intermediate threat, Riggins offers a steady, possession-oriented presence who can take pressure off the deeper threats.
Round 3, Pick 85: Marcus Tate, DT, Florida State
Scouting Report: Tate is a powerful, one-technique defensive tackle who eats blocks and disrupts the interior run game. At 6-foot-2 and 315 pounds, he plays with excellent leverage and a nasty disposition at the point of attack. He's not a dynamic pass rusher, but he commands double teams and frees up linebackers to flow freely.
Grade: B
Fit Analysis: This is a classic Steelers interior defensive line addition. The team has long valued big-bodied run stuffers who occupy blockers and let the linebackers clean up. Tate fits that mold perfectly and should immediately bolster a run defense that has occasionally been gashed between the tackles. He may not show up on the stat sheet every week, but his impact will be felt in the run game.
Round 3, Pick 98: Avery Hollins, CB, Michigan
Scouting Report: Hollins is a physical, press-man cornerback who loves to disrupt routes at the line of scrimmage. He has good length and fluid hips, though he can be grabby downfield and will need to clean up his technique to avoid penalties at the next level. He also contributes as a special teams gunner.
Grade: B-
Fit Analysis: The Steelers need young depth in the secondary, and Hollins brings an aggressive mentality that aligns with the team's defensive philosophy. He's a developmental player who can rotate in as a dime or nickel corner early in his career while refining his coverage technique. If the position coaches can clean up his penalty issues, he has the traits to develop into a starting-caliber boundary corner.
Round 4, Pick 117: Devin Pruitt, S, Iowa
Scouting Report: Pruitt is a smart, rangy safety with terrific instincts and a nose for the football. He picked off six passes as a senior and showed the ability to play both deep zone and in the box. He's not a blazing athlete, but his anticipation and route recognition make up for it.
Grade: B+
Fit Analysis: This pick addresses one of the biggest needs on the roster. The Steelers lost a veteran presence in the secondary this offseason and needed to add competition and depth at the safety position. Pruitt is a natural fit for the single-high safety role in this defense, offering the ball skills and processing ability to handle the deep middle of the field. He has the versatility to play in sub-packages as well, making him a valuable piece in an evolving secondary.
Round 4, Pick 134: Jordan Cross, OT, Missouri
Scouting Report: Cross is a raw but toolsy offensive tackle with massive upside. He has the ideal frame, long arms, and good feet, but his technique needs significant refinement. He started for two seasons at Missouri and showed flashes of dominance, but consistency was an issue.
Grade: C+
Fit Analysis: The Steelers have invested heavily in the offensive line in recent drafts, and Cross is a depth swing with starter potential in time. He profiles as a swing tackle who can provide insurance at both left and right tackle while he develops. The Steelers obviously believe in their offensive line development program, and if Cross can refine his technique and add functional strength, he could push for a starting role by Year 2 or 3.
Round 5, Pick 152: Treyvon Banks, RB, Arizona
Scouting Report: Banks is a powerful, fourth-quarter back who runs behind his pads and consistently falls forward. He rushed for 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, showing excellent vision and contact balance. He's a capable receiver out of the backfield and a willing pass protector.
Grade: B
Fit Analysis: The Steelers have long valued a physical running game, and Banks is a perfect complement to the current backfield rotation. He's not a home-run hitter, but he's the kind of back who wears down defenses and converts short-yardage situations. He adds necessary depth and brings a different style than the more explosive backs currently on the roster.
Round 6, Pick 189: Malik Trujillo, LB, Oregon
Scouting Report: Trujillo is a sideline-to-sideline linebacker with excellent speed and coverage ability. He's undersized by traditional standards but makes up for it with relentless pursuit and football IQ. He led the Ducks in tackles and also contributed on special teams.
Grade: B-
Fit Analysis: This is a developmental inside linebacker with special teams value. Trujillo's speed and coverage skills could make him a sub-package option early in his career, particularly on passing downs. He provides depth behind established starters and gives the special teams coordinator a versatile weapon.
Round 7, Pick 226: Carson Peak, TE, Stanford
Scouting Report: Peak is a well-rounded tight end with strong blocking technique and reliable hands. He's not a dynamic athlete, but he knows how to find soft spots in zone coverage and is an asset in the run game as a blocker.
Grade: C+
Fit Analysis: The Steelers were light at tight end depth entering the draft, and Peak provides a developmental option who can contribute as a blocker early. He projects as a TE2 or TE3 on the depth chart who can handle in-line blocking duties and provide a check-down option in the passing game.
Overall Initial Grade: B+
The Steelers entered the draft with a plan and executed it cleanly through the first seven picks. They addressed pass rusher, receiver, defensive tackle, cornerback, safety, offensive tackle, and running back -- hitting nearly every positional need on the roster. The class is characterized by high-floor players with clear roles, which aligns with Pittsburgh's traditional draft philosophy.
The most intriguing pick might be McPherson in the first round, a true edge rusher who can develop alongside T.J. Watt and potentially take over as the lead pass rusher down the line. The safest pick is likely Pruitt at safety, a plug-and-play starter who brings ball-hawking instincts to a secondary that needed them.
The biggest risk is Cross at offensive tackle, a raw talent who will require patience and good coaching. But the Steelers have shown they can develop offensive line talent, and taking a swing on a player with his physical tools in the fourth round is a gamble worth taking.
With several picks still remaining on Day 3, the Steelers have the ammunition to continue adding depth and special teams contributors. As the picks come in, we will update this tracker with grades and analysis for every selection.
For a team that came into the draft with more capital than anyone else, the Steelers are putting together a class that could define the next several years of their roster construction. So far, the results are promising.