Ric'S MOCK DRAFT
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Ric'S MOCK DRAFT
RUN ON JAN 29, 2026

Steelers 2026

  • Ric DRAFTING FOR THE
    Steelers
Draft Selections
Arvell Reese Head Shot
PICK: 21 RND: 1 (PIT)
Arvell Reese
LB Ohio State
Kamari Ramsey Head Shot
PICK: 53 RND: 2 (PIT)
Kamari Ramsey
S USC
Julian Neal Head Shot
PICK: 76 RND: 3 (PIT)
Julian Neal
CB Arkansas
Omar Cooper Jr. Head Shot
PICK: 85 RND: 3 (PIT)
Omar Cooper Jr.
WR Indiana
Jacob Rodriguez Head Shot
PICK: 99 RND: 3 (PIT)
Jacob Rodriguez
LB Texas Tech
Keylan Rutledge Head Shot
PICK: 121 RND: 4 (PIT)
Keylan Rutledge
OG Georgia Tech
Tim Keenan III Head Shot
PICK: 135 RND: 4 (PIT)
Tim Keenan III
DL Alabama
Kobe Baynes Head Shot
PICK: 159 RND: 5 (PIT)
Kobe Baynes
OG Kansas
Fernando Carmona Head Shot
PICK: 213 RND: 6 (PIT)
Fernando Carmona
OT Arkansas
J. Michael Sturdivant Head Shot
PICK: 214 RND: 6 (PIT)
J. Michael Sturdivant
WR Florida
Keyron Crawford Head Shot
PICK: 224 RND: 7 (PIT)
Keyron Crawford
DE Auburn
Joey Aguilar Head Shot
PICK: 237 RND: 7 (PIT)
Joey Aguilar
QB Tennessee
Draft Grade — Steelers
Overall B
ValueB NeedB TradesB- FutureB-
A respectable, level-headed haul for the Steelers: B.

The Steelers banked a tidy surplus when Joey Aguilar lasted to the 237th overall pick, a few spots past his grade.

For all the activity, running back went untouched, which is hard to explain. Every board in the league had Baynes lower, and that gap is the story.

They went 7 of 9 on their needs, which is most of what a draft is for.

Good work on the whole, with running back the one box left unchecked.

Pick Analysis
Pick21 Rnd1 Arvell Reese
In the 21st pick they get a sideline-to-sideline linebacker, outstanding value to boot. A real need, handled.
Pick53 Rnd2 Kamari Ramsey
They read the board right and Kamari Ramsey was the payoff at pick No. 53. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
Pick76 Rnd3 Julian Neal
No drama and no debate, Julian Neal went about where he belonged in No. 76. The roster fit checks out.
Pick85 Rnd3 Omar Cooper Jr.
Omar Cooper Jr. in the 85th overall pick is fine work, a shade of surplus and no downside. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Pick99 Rnd3 Jacob Rodriguez
A reasonable price with a little left over, Jacob Rodriguez in Round 3, Pick 35. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
Pick121 Rnd4 Keylan Rutledge
A straight-up fair deal on Keylan Rutledge at pick 121, value and slot in agreement. Depth more than a fix, but depth they can use.
Pick135 Rnd4 Tim Keenan III
They took Tim Keenan III at par in the 135th overall pick, which is nothing to complain about. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Pick159 Rnd5 Kobe Baynes
A reach on Kobe Baynes in slot 159; the board had better options right there. Insurance at a position that did not really ask for it.
Pick213 Rnd6 Fernando Carmona
No edge and no loss on Fernando Carmona in the Round 6 slot; it is a wash and a sensible one. Nice player, but the depth chart did not need him here.
Pick214 Rnd6 J. Michael Sturdivant
J. Michael Sturdivant in the 214th pick is fair value, right on his grade. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
Pick224 Rnd7 Keyron Crawford
By-the-book stuff, Keyron Crawford at Round 7, Pick 8 squarely in line with his ranking. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
Pick237 Rnd7 Joey Aguilar
They stopped a slide they were happy to see, landing Joey Aguilar in pick No. 237. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.