byrnesaf'S MOCK DRAFT
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byrnesaf'S MOCK DRAFT
RUN ON FEB 27, 2026

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Mock drafts from byrnesaf

Reese

  • byrnesaf DRAFTING FOR THE
    Steelers
Draft Selections
Fernando Mendoza Head Shot
PICK: 21 RND: 1 (PIT)
Fernando Mendoza
QB Indiana
Markel Bell Head Shot
PICK: 53 RND: 2 (PIT)
Markel Bell
OT Miami
Zachariah Branch Head Shot
PICK: 76 RND: 3 (PIT)
Zachariah Branch
WR Georgia
Jadarian Price Head Shot
PICK: 85 RND: 3 (PIT)
Jadarian Price
RB Notre Dame
Genesis Smith Head Shot
PICK: 99 RND: 3 (PIT)
Genesis Smith
S Arizona
Chris McClellan Head Shot
PICK: 121 RND: 4 (PIT)
Chris McClellan
DT Missouri
Febechi Nwaiwu Head Shot
PICK: 135 RND: 4 (PIT)
Febechi Nwaiwu
OG Oklahoma
Kyle Louis Head Shot
PICK: 159 RND: 5 (PIT)
Kyle Louis
LB Pittsburgh
Jaydn Ott Head Shot
PICK: 213 RND: 6 (PIT)
Jaydn Ott
RB Oklahoma
DJ Harvey Head Shot
PICK: 214 RND: 6 (PIT)
DJ Harvey
CB USC
Dane Key Head Shot
PICK: 224 RND: 7 (PIT)
Dane Key
WR Nebraska
Diego Pavia Head Shot
PICK: 237 RND: 7 (PIT)
Diego Pavia
QB Vanderbilt
Draft Grade — Steelers
Overall B-
ValueB- NeedB+ TradesB- FutureB-
A franchise passer in Mendoza headlines a B- weekend for the Steelers.

They finally answered the question that shadows every other one. Fernando Mendoza is the Steelers' quarterback, full stop.

They are betting Bell proves the room right and everyone else wrong. The Price steal is the beam this whole class leans on.

They will answer for taking offensive lineman early while edge rusher and tight end went begging. That edge rusher hole did not close this weekend, and it was the biggest one on the wall.

All told, a draft that does its job without fuss, and there is real value in that.

Pick Analysis
Pick21 Rnd1 Fernando Mendoza
In the 21st pick they get the arm they will build around, and a steal at that. Exactly the need they had to hit.
Pick53 Rnd2 Markel Bell
The board screamed and they did not listen, reaching into the next round for Markel Bell. A quiet depth add at a thin-ish spot.
Pick76 Rnd3 Zachariah Branch
Zachariah Branch slid further than he should have, and the Round 3 slot is lovely value for the wide receiver. A need, and now a little less of one.
Pick85 Rnd3 Jadarian Price
Circle this one: Jadarian Price at No. 85 is a fall that decides a draft. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Pick99 Rnd3 Genesis Smith
Nothing to complain about; Genesis Smith went a shade earlier than his grade, which is fine. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
Pick121 Rnd4 Chris McClellan
A straight-up fair deal on Chris McClellan at the 121st overall pick, value and slot in agreement. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
Pick135 Rnd4 Febechi Nwaiwu
Of all the spots to shop, they chose offensive lineman. Febechi Nwaiwu in pick No. 135 leaves edge rusher and tight end for later.
Pick159 Rnd5 Kyle Louis
The board had Kyle Louis higher than Round 5, Pick 21, and the linebacker fell to them anyway. The roster fit checks out.
Pick213 Rnd6 Jaydn Ott
They barely believed it either: Jaydn Ott still on the board at pick No. 213. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
Pick214 Rnd6 DJ Harvey
DJ Harvey at No. 214 is a conviction pick that outran the value. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
Pick224 Rnd7 Dane Key
A slide stopped in slot 224, with Dane Key worth more than the price. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
Pick237 Rnd7 Diego Pavia
No edge and no loss on Diego Pavia in the 237th overall pick; it is a wash and a sensible one. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.