The 2026 Draft

No trades, a full running back room and a back at three; a clean guard at 34 and a quarterback nobody had to take at 65.

• The need: the offense under a new coach, and a running back room that already held Conner, Benson and Allgeier.
• The price: no trade all weekend, with the trade-down talk at three called minimal by the club.
• The pick: Love at three split the graders on position value; Bisontis at 34 was praised everywhere; Beck at 65 is a quarterback the club's own reporter expects to sit.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

Two good Day 2 picks, one of them with an arrest days old, on a weekend with no first-round pick to spend.

• The need: a second starting corner beside A.J. Terrell, and a playmaker for an offense with one first-round receiver.
• The trades: one, 122 for 134 and 208, on a weekend that opened with five picks and no first.
• The pick: Terrell at 48 was value on every board; Branch at 79 was a projected second-rounder who slid after a pre-draft arrest.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

The class's cleanest guard at 14 for a line that lost its center, then volume, with one trade-up paid in fifth- and sixth-round change.

• The need: Linderbaum gone, Jackson sacked 36 times, and a pass rush the failed Crosby trade left to the draft.
• The trades: one, a fifth and a 2027 sixth to San Francisco to move up 21 spots for Hibner at 133.
• The pick: Ioane at 14 was called a blue-chip prospect by more than one grader; the Day 2 value after him was questioned.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

Three trade-downs that turned one first into three Day 2 and Day 3 picks and still landed the edge rusher, then a contested corner at 62.

• The need: an edge rusher and a second starting corner, with the second-round pick already spent on DJ Moore.
• The trades: 26 became 28, then 31, then 35, 66 and 101, and the club still got Parker; 66 and 182 then bought 62.
• The pick: Parker at 35 was a Day 1 talent on more than one board; Igbinosun at 62 was called a reach on one and a starter on another.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

A tackle at 19 the boards split on, then a nose tackle and a center the boards did not, bought with picks traded two at a time.

• The need: a tackle with Ekwonu coming off a ruptured patellar tendon on an expiring deal, and a nose tackle after A'Shawn Robinson was released.
• The trades: three, each moving a pair of picks a few slots: up two for Hunter, then back twice in the fourth round.
• The pick: Freeling at 19 was a top-10 player on one board and a one-year-starter risk on another; Hunter at 49 and Hecht at 144 were praised across the boards.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

The first-round safety every board liked, then three Day 2 picks the boards did not, with the pass rush left for the sixth round.

• The need: a safety after Kevin Byard's departure and a center after Drew Dalman's, with an edge rusher the class never addressed early.
• The trades: 60 became 69 and 144; a move up five bought Muhammad at 124; 239 and 241 bought 213.
• The pick: Thieneman at 25 was value on every board; Jones at 57 and Thomas at 89 were called less economical and surprising.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

An edge rusher taken at 41 because the first went for Dexter Lawrence; a trade back that bought two fourths, one of them on a torn ACL.

• The need: an edge rusher after Trey Hendrickson left, for a defense that allowed the most yards per play in the league.
• The price: the tenth pick to the Giants for Lawrence the week before, leaving seven picks and no first; 110 and 199 then became 128 and 140.
• The pick: Howell at 41 was the top player on the club's board; Davis at 72 was called a round of value; Lew at 128 was drafted on a torn ACL.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

Three slots back for a third and a fifth, the targeted tackle anyway, two receivers by 39 and a safety who slid to 58: both halves of the process clean.

• The need: a left tackle and a receiver, both named by every grader and both filled in the first round.
• The trades: six became nine plus 74 and 148 without losing Fano; 70 and 107 then bought 58 and 152.
• The pick: Fano at nine, Concepcion at 24, Boston at 39 and McNeil-Warren at 58 were each at or above the slot on the weekend's boards.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

Two first-round picks used on the weekend's consensus steal and a contested edge, with cheap trades both ways and the linebacker hole filled by a veteran.

• The need: the 2025 defense allowed the most points in the league, and edge, linebacker and corner were the named holes.
• The trades: two fifths bought the one-spot move up for Downs; three spots down from 20 returned two fourths and still produced Lawrence.
• The pick: Downs was called the steal of the first round; Lawrence was named a reach at 23 by PFF and a late riser by Reuter, and Shelton at 112 a reach by two graders.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

The first-round pick became a receiver in March, and the one Day 2 pick that remained went a round early on most boards.

• The need: line, linebacker and corner were the named holes, and the club's own case was that Waddle beat anyone available at 30.
• The trades: 30, 94 and 130 for Waddle and 111 before the weekend; 62 became 66 and a sixth on Friday, and the sixth was spent again on Saturday.
• The pick: Onyedim at 66 sat outside the top 100 on Kiper's board with McClellan still available; Coleman at 108 was named the worst pick.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

Both named needs were hit in the first two rounds, on a tackle the graders split on and a trade-up for an edge most boards had a step lower.

• The need: left tackle after Decker and a second edge opposite Hutchinson, the same two holes the club carried into last year's draft.
• The trades: no third-round pick after the TeSlaa deal; 50 and 128 to the Jets for 44, and 181 and 213 to Buffalo for 168.
• The pick: Miller at 17 was Prisco's worst pick and Reuter's top-25 talent; Moore at 44 was Holmes's top edge on the board and a rotational projection on PFF's public grade.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

Six picks, none in the first round, the top need met at 52, and two cheap trade-ups that each got the man they were made for.

• The need: cornerback first, on a defense with seven interceptions a year ago, then edge and defensive tackle around Parsons.
• The trades: 84 and 160 for 77 and McClellan; two sevenths for 216 and a kicker; the fifth used on Burton came from the Wicks deal.
• The pick: Cisse at 52 was the best corner available on Kiper's board; Dennis-Sutton at 120 was Prisco's worst pick and Reuter's solid find.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

Both lines got the toughness the general manager said he wanted, at a trade-up price for a guard most boards had a round later, and with a second-round tight end few boards had at all.

• The need: a firm pocket for Stroud after another line makeover, then defensive tackle and linebacker.
• The trades: 28, 69 and 167 for 26 and 91 on Thursday; 38 and 91 for 36 and 117 on Friday; no third-round pick of its own after the Marks deal.
• The pick: Rutledge at 26 was outside the top 50 on most consensus boards; McDonald at 36 was called worthy of a first-round pick; Klein at 59 was the reach most graders named.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

A trade-down that added two picks and still landed the linebacker Kiper had 28th, with the pass rush left to the fifth round.

• The need: younger and faster on defense by the general manager's own account, and an edge rusher for a pass rush that ranked 30th in win rate.
• The trades: 47 and a seventh to Pittsburgh for 53, 135 and 237; the sixth used on Curry came from the Pittman deal.
• The pick: Allen at 53 was 28th on Kiper's board; Farmer at 113 was a top-100 talent on two boards; the first edge rusher came at 156.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

Ten picks made from eleven held, four of them on Day 2 and three of those a round or more below their slots on most boards, with the top two needs left for the seventh round and free agency.

• The need: linebacker first and running back second, and neither was taken before pick 240.
• The trades: none on Day 2; on Day 3, 124 and 166 for 119 and 196, then 196 and 245 for 191.
• The pick: Boerkircher at 56 was 127th on Kiper's board, Regis and Huskey were named reaches at 81 and 100, and Pregnon at 88 was the class's consensus steal.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

Two first-round picks built by a March trade, a third and a fifth spent to make sure of the class's one consensus corner, and the pass rush addressed twice before a receiver was taken.

• The need: two starting corners gone in March, then edge rusher and a defensive tackle beside Chris Jones.
• The trades: 29 arrived for McDuffie before the draft; 9, 74 and 148 bought 6 on Thursday; 169 and 210 bought 161 and 249 on Saturday.
• The pick: Delane at 6 was the class's consensus top corner and 14th on Kiper's board; Woods at 29 carried a production slide on the record; Thomas at 40 was Prisco's best pick of the draft.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

The obvious pick made without drama, a trade-down that added a third, and one cheap gamble with its risk named.

• The need: the quarterback, after two seasons ranked 30th in QBR; Mendoza was the pick the club said it never had to sweat.
• The trades: back two slots to 38 for a third-round pick, up one slot for McCoy at the cost of a 2027 seventh, and Wilson out for 150.
• The pick: Stukes at 38 went before McNeil-Warren and two corners, and no receiver came until 195.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

Two trade-downs added four picks without costing the player, and both stated needs were addressed in the first two picks.

• The need: interior line first and edge second after 54 sacks; Mesidor at 22 and Slaughter at 63 answered both.
• The trades: 55 became 63, 131 and 202, then 86 became 105, 145 and 206, and the club said it got the same player at 63 it wanted at 55.
• The pick: Slaughter is a center asked to play guard, and one grader had three guards rated higher at that slot.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

A stated succession plan bought a round early while the two named needs waited until the sixth round.

• The need: receiver and right tackle for a team four points from the Super Bowl; the first three picks went quarterback, tight end and tackle.
• The price: Simpson at 13 sat 38th on the consensus board, Klare at 61 was called a slight reach, and three picks bought a ten-slot move for Daniels.
• The pick: the club explained itself in advance, a net positive on the quarterback's future, and Trost at 93 was the weekend's favored selection.

From 10 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

Two trades added value, then a third-round reach at receiver on a roster that needed one first.

• The need: everything, receiver first; the two first-round picks went tackle and cornerback.
• The trades: down one slot for two fifths, then 30 and 90 for 27 and 138 to get Johnson.
• The pick: Douglas at 75 sat 148th on Kiper's board; Rodriguez at 43 was liked by every grader.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

A first-round pick made a round above the board on a twice-broken foot, with the trades adding picks around it.

• The need: the defensive interior after Hargrave and Allen were released; Banks at 18 and Orange at 82 both went there.
• The trades: Greenard became 98 and a 2027 third, 49 became 51 and 159, and 234 plus a 2027 sixth bought 198.
• The pick: Banks sat 62nd on Kiper's board and was a significant reach on the consensus board, with a foot broken twice in a year.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

Two trades up for the top of the board at named needs, paid for with a fourth and two Day 3 picks.

• The need: edge rusher first and the line second; Jacas at 55 and Lomu at 28 answered them.
• The price: 125 to move from 31 to 28, then 131 and 202 to move from 63 to 55.
• The pick: Lomu's position is unresolved with Campbell at left tackle, and Raridon at 95 was called a round early.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

The first need met at 8 with the injury history known, and the pass rush rented for a fifth rather than drafted.

• The need: a receiver for Shough after Shaheed was traded; Tyson at 8 was the pick, with three injuries on the record.
• The trades: 150 for Tyree Wilson and 219, a rental at the second need, with the Shaheed picks from Seattle spent at 132 and 172.
• The pick: Miller at 42 went ahead of Hunter, and Delp at 73 was a luxury to the club and the worst pick to one grader.

From 9 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

Two top-five board players at 5 and 10 on a pick the Lawrence trade created, then three picks spent on one receiver two graders did not rate.

• The need: good players for a 7-27 roster; Reese was the top non-quarterback on the club's board and Kiper's.
• The trades: Lawrence for the 10th pick before the draft, then 105, 145 and a 2027 fourth for 74.
• The pick: Mauigoa at 10 went with Downs on the board, and Fields at 74 was called steep by one grader and the worst pick by another.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

Three first-round picks turned into three projected starters at cheap prices, plus one quarterback trade-up the weekend did not like.

• The need: quarterback, receiver, edge and corner after a pass rush that ranked 31st in sacks, with three first-round picks in hand.
• The trades: a compensatory fifth to climb from 33 to 30 for Cooper, a fourth gained moving down from 44 to 50, and an 18-spot climb in the fourth round for Klubnik.
• The pick: Bailey over Reese at 2 was contested; Sadiq at 16 with Lemon on the board was read as a want, not a need; Ponds at 50 was a weekend favorite.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

A club that bought its class, a receiver and a Pro Bowl pass rusher for two fourths and two thirds, and got the players the board said it should.

• The need: line, edge, tight end, safety and receiver, with A.J. Brown expected to be traded.
• The price: 23 and two fourths for 20 and a 2027 seventh; 98 and a 2027 third for Greenard and pick 244; a fifth already spent on Wicks.
• The pick: Lemon at 20 was a board value the Steelers meant to take at 21; Stowers at 54 was praised; Bell at 68 was the contested one.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

A sound pivot at 21 after losing Lemon, a real need met at 47, and three third-round swings on traits the weekend split over.

• The need: quarterback, guard, slot receiver, corner and safety, with Rodgers undecided.
• The price: a fourth-round pick to climb from 53 to 47 for Bernard and a sixth to climb three spots for Dunker; the capital was otherwise flat.
• The pick: Iheanachor at 21 was read as raw but ascending; Allar at 76 was the contested one, coming off injury and without Day 2 film.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

Good process on the trades, stated in advance and explained after, and two contested selections.

• The need: the club held six picks and no single obvious need after free agency; receiver and tackle were named.
• The trades: fewer than 20 players carried first-round grades, so 27 became 30, then 33, and six picks became eight.
• The pick: Stribling at 33 over Denzel Boston and Black at 90 were named reaches, Height and Halton value.

From 6 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Sam Kezar, written Sep 22, 2026. The piece.

A need filled at a first-round price because the trade-down market closed, then two more holes filled in order and the picks doubled for a 2027 fourth.

• The need: running back after Walker left and Charbonnet's ACL, corner after Woolen, safety after Bryant, with only four picks.
• The trades: none available at 32 once five of the six picks ahead were dealt; four trades after that doubled the picks, a 2027 fourth the only real cost.
• The pick: Price at 32 split the weekend on positional value; Clark at 64 and Neal at 99 were read as need answers; no pass rusher was taken.

From 7 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

The stated top need met at 15 with a player the weekend rated above the slot, two small trades in the club's favor, and tight end left to the sixth round.

• The need: edge first, then linebacker after David retired, tight end and guard, with Evans gone.
• The trades: seven spots down from 77 to 84 for a fifth, a seventh spent to climb ten spots in the sixth; the first draft-weekend trades since 2023.
• The pick: Bain at 15 was read as a top-10 talent who slipped over arm length; Trotter at 46 was called early; tight end waited until 185.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

A receiver at 4 with two higher-rated defenders on the board, then two defenders bought cheaply, one of them the weekend's consensus best pick.

• The need: edge, guard, center, receiver and linebacker, behind a rookie quarterback who finished last in QBR with no wide receiver over 515 yards.
• The trades: 35, 66 and 101 to Buffalo for 31, 69 and 165 to climb four spots for Faulk; 69 and a fifth to Chicago for 60 to take Hill.
• The pick: Tate at 4 over Reese and Styles is the positional-value question; Faulk at 31 was called boom-or-bust; Hill at 60 was called great value.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.

The best player on the board at 7 with the trade-down phone silent, a receiver value at 71, no trades, and the cornerback hole left for later.

• The need: receiver, corner, safety, center and edge, with the second and fourth already spent on Tunsil.
• The trades: none; Peters said the trade-down market at 7 was crickets and stayed.
• The pick: Styles at 7 was a top-five talent at a fair slot, positional value the only argument against; Williams at 71 was a value; no corner was taken.

From 8 reports dated on or before Apr 27, 2026. Grant Lombard, written Sep 27, 2026.