njjj'S MOCK DRAFT
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njjj'S MOCK DRAFT
RUN ON MAY 16, 2026

nhj

  • njjj DRAFTING FOR THE
    Steelers
Draft Selections
Jay'Vion Cole Head Shot
PICK: 21 RND: 1 (PIT)
Jay'Vion Cole
CB Arizona
Chris Cole Head Shot
PICK: 53 RND: 2 (PIT)
Chris Cole
LB Georgia
Marcus Neal Jr. Head Shot
PICK: 76 RND: 3 (PIT)
Marcus Neal Jr.
S Iowa State
Ian Strong Head Shot
PICK: 85 RND: 3 (PIT)
Ian Strong
WR California
Jordan Marshall Head Shot
PICK: 99 RND: 3 (PIT)
Jordan Marshall
RB Michigan
Elinneus Davis Head Shot
PICK: 121 RND: 4 (PIT)
Elinneus Davis
DT Washington
Niki Prongos Head Shot
PICK: 135 RND: 4 (PIT)
Niki Prongos
OT Stanford
Dylan Raiola Head Shot
PICK: 159 RND: 5 (PIT)
Dylan Raiola
QB Oregon
Jaden Platt Head Shot
PICK: 213 RND: 6 (PIT)
Jaden Platt
TE Arkansas
Alex Birchmeier Head Shot
PICK: 214 RND: 6 (PIT)
Alex Birchmeier
OG Penn State
Thomas Collins Head Shot
PICK: 224 RND: 7 (PIT)
Thomas Collins
DL Oregon State
Jaquaize Pettaway Head Shot
PICK: 237 RND: 7 (PIT)
Jaquaize Pettaway
WR East Carolina
Draft Grade — Steelers
Overall B-
ValueB- NeedB TradesB- FutureB-
A respectable, level-headed haul for the Steelers: B-.

For all the boxes ticked, the Steelers skipped the loudest one: edge rusher is exactly as bare as it was.

They will need Collins to outplay his draft slot in a hurry to justify it. Landing Cole that late papers over a lot of smaller sins. Job largely done: quarterback settled and 8 of 9 of the wish list covered.

Nearly every premium pick went to that side of the ball.

All told, a solid class that does its job everywhere but edge rusher.

Pick Analysis
Pick21 Rnd1 Jay'Vion Cole
In the 21st overall pick they get an island corner. A clean fit for the roster.
Pick53 Rnd2 Chris Cole
They let Chris Cole come to them and pounced at the 53rd pick. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
Pick76 Rnd3 Marcus Neal Jr.
Marcus Neal Jr. at Round 3, Pick 12 is a sensible buy, a touch better than market for the safety. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
Pick85 Rnd3 Ian Strong
Fair-plus on Ian Strong, a quiet win that adds up over a draft. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Pick99 Rnd3 Jordan Marshall
A straight-up fair deal on Jordan Marshall at No. 99, value and slot in agreement. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
Pick121 Rnd4 Elinneus Davis
By-the-book stuff, Elinneus Davis at the Round 4 slot squarely in line with his ranking. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Pick135 Rnd4 Niki Prongos
Niki Prongos at pick 135 is right where the board had him, plain and simple. Depth more than a fix, but depth they can use.
Pick159 Rnd5 Dylan Raiola
Dylan Raiola in slot 159 is exactly on the number, no argument either way. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
Pick213 Rnd6 Jaden Platt
They took Jaden Platt at par in Round 6, Pick 34, which is nothing to complain about. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Pick214 Rnd6 Alex Birchmeier
They paid sticker price for Alex Birchmeier in the 214th pick, and that is fine. A want more than a need, though you can never have too many.
Pick224 Rnd7 Thomas Collins
A reach for Thomas Collins in the Round 7 slot; a little patience would have been rewarded. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Pick237 Rnd7 Jaquaize Pettaway
They liked Jaquaize Pettaway enough to skip the value, taking him in pick No. 237. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.