So, Mike Tomlin finally walked away. It still feels weird to say it out loud, doesn't it? After nearly two decades of "the standard is the standard," the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in a place they haven't been since 2007: searching for a new identity. But if you’ve been paying attention to the Pittsburgh Steelers draft pick strategy over the last couple of seasons, you’ll realize the foundation for this new era wasn't built yesterday. It’s been a slow, deliberate construction project that actually makes a ton of sense if you look at the names on the roster.
Most fans are still obsessing over the quarterback room. Look, I get it. Between the Aaron Rodgers experiment and the Will Howard selection, it's been a rollercoaster. But the real story of how this team is being rebuilt isn't under center. It’s in the trenches and on the edges. The Steelers didn’t just draft players; they drafted "DNA," as Omar Khan likes to put it.
The Derrick Harmon Gamble: Passing on the Flashy Names
Remember the 2025 Draft? Everyone and their mother thought Pittsburgh would pull the trigger on a big-name quarterback like Shedeur Sanders or Jaxson Dart when they were on the clock at 21. Instead, they took Derrick Harmon, the massive defensive tackle from Oregon.
Honestly, it was a classic Steelers move that pissed off half the fanbase and made the other half nod in approval. Harmon is basically a mountain of a man. 6'4", 310-plus pounds, and he moves like someone fifty pounds lighter. He’s the heir apparent to Cam Heyward, who let’s be real, is a legendary warrior but can't play forever.
By taking Harmon, the front office sent a message: We don’t care who the QB is if we can’t stop the run or collapse the pocket from the inside. Harmon’s 91.2 PFF pass-rush grade in his final college season wasn’t a fluke. He’s a "swarm unit" kind of player. He doesn't just eat blocks; he destroys them. If you’re wondering why the Steelers' defense still looks terrifying despite the coaching change, Harmon is a big reason why.
👉 See also: Ja Morant Height: Why the NBA Star Looks Bigger Than He Actually Is
That DK Metcalf Trade and the Missing Second-Rounder
One thing people often forget when looking at a Pittsburgh Steelers draft pick list is the pick that wasn't there. In 2025, the Steelers didn't have a second-round selection. Why? Because they shipped it to Seattle for DK Metcalf.
Think about that for a second.
The Steelers are famous for drafting and developing wide receivers—the ABs, the Mike Wallaces, the George Pickens. Trading away a premium pick for an established vet is a departure from the "old way." But pairing Metcalf with Pickens? That’s just mean. It’s a physical nightmare for any secondary in the AFC North. Coach Tomlin mentioned before he left that they wanted to "retool physicality," and Metcalf fits that bill perfectly. He’s not just a deep threat; he’s a bully.
Day 3 Steals: Why the Scouting Department Still Wins
While the first round gets the headlines, the late-round value is where the Steelers usually make their money. Take Jack Sawyer out of Ohio State. He fell to the fourth round, which was honestly criminal. The guy was the Cotton Bowl Defensive MVP and had 63 pressures in his final season.
✨ Don't miss: Hulk Hogan Lifting Andre the Giant: What Really Happened at WrestleMania III
- Jack Sawyer (Round 4): A rotational beast who learns behind T.J. Watt.
- Yahya Black (Round 5): The "quiet steal" from Iowa.
- Will Howard (Round 6): The national title winner who might be more than just a backup.
Black is the name you need to circle. Some coaches in the building think he’s the biggest steal of the entire 2025 class. He’s a 6'5" nose tackle who just... stays still. You can’t move him. In a division with the Ravens and the Bengals, you need human fire hydrants like Black to survive.
Then there’s Will Howard. Taking a quarterback in the sixth round usually means you've found a guy to hold a clipboard. But Howard isn't your typical late-round flyer. He’s 6'4", 240 pounds, and he just won a National Championship with the Buckeyes. He’s accurate, he’s tough, and he doesn’t turn the ball over. With the QB situation still murky as we head into 2026, don’t be shocked if Howard gets a real look sooner rather than later.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 QB Conundrum
We’re sitting here in early 2026, and the rumor mill is already spinning. With Trinidad Chambliss from Ole Miss being denied his sixth year of eligibility, he’s suddenly a massive name for the upcoming draft. The Steelers have the 21st pick again. Do they go for a receiver like Carnell Tate or Denzel Boston? Or do they finally take the plunge on a guy like Chambliss or Ty Simpson?
Most "experts" will tell you they have to take a QB. I'm not so sure. History shows this front office will take the best football player available over a reach at a position of need. They’ve built a roster that can support a young QB, but they won't wreck the cap or the future for a guy they don't believe in.
🔗 Read more: Formula One Points Table Explained: Why the Math Matters More Than the Racing
How to Scout the Steelers' Strategy Yourself
If you want to understand the next Pittsburgh Steelers draft pick, stop looking at the mock drafts that just slot in the most famous college players. Start looking for these three things:
- The Big Ten Connection: They love players from Iowa, Ohio State, and Michigan. The physicality of that conference translates well to the AFC North.
- Bloodlines: Carson Bruener (Round 7, 2025) is the son of Mark Bruener. Joey Porter Jr. is... well, you know. They value family history and "Steelers DNA."
- Trench Dominance: They will almost always pick a "boring" lineman over a "flashy" skill player if the value is equal.
The post-Tomlin era is going to be a transition, for sure. But the cupboard isn't empty. Between the Harmon pick and the Metcalf trade, the infrastructure is there. The next head coach isn't walking into a rebuild; they're walking into a team that is one "hit" at quarterback away from being a contender again.
To stay ahead of the curve on the upcoming draft, you should keep a close eye on the Senior Bowl invites. The Steelers front office traditionally sends their heaviest hitters to Mobile, Alabama. If you see a high-motor defensive lineman or a big-bodied receiver meeting repeatedly with Steelers scouts there, that's your first real clue for the 2026 class. Also, keep tabs on the medical reports for top prospects; as we saw with the Troy Fautanu and Payton Wilson picks, the Steelers are willing to take calculated risks on elite talent that others might pass on due to "medical red flags." Watching how these players' stocks fluctuate in the weeks leading up to April will give you a much better idea of who might actually be wearing the Black and Gold next season.