NFL Mock Draft: Steelers Land Star-Studded Penn State Duo

The Pittsburgh Steelers may not need to leave the state of Pennsylvania in order to fill several of their remaining roster needs in the 2026 NFL Draft.

In a recent three-round mock draft from ESPN, Mel Kiper Jr. was tasked with picking for the Steelers at No. 21 overall and landed on Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane as the optimal selection in that spot.

"Let's assume Aaron Rodgers is coming back to town and wait on the QBs," Kiper wrote. "Instead, here is the Steelers' Isaac Seumalo replacement. Ioane is a powerful people mover who hasn't allowed a sack since 2023."

After Kiper sent Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell II to Pittsburgh at No. 53 in the second round, he then returned to the confines of State College at No. 85 by selecting quarterback Drew Allar with the second of the team's three third-rounders.

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"OK, the QB board is finally lining up for the Steelers," Kiper wrote. "Allar is coming off that ankle injury, but he has upside. And he has the size we've seen under center in Pittsburgh; at 6-foot-5 and 228 pounds, his frame reminds of Ben Roethlisberger. If Aaron Rodgers is back, Allar can learn from a legend. If not, he could potentially compete with Mason Rudolph and Will Howard."

To round out the early portion of Pittsburgh's draft class in this hypothetical scenario, Field Yates selected LSU safety A.J. Haulcy with pick No. 76 while Jordan Reid chose Florida State defensive tackle Darrell Jackson Jr. at No. 99.

Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane (71) against the Boise State Broncos during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

How Would Penn State Duo Fit in Pittsburgh?

Though wide receiver has long been viewed as the likeliest direction in which the Steelers would head with their first-round pick, offensive line appears to be making a late surge of sorts in that regard.

If Pittsburgh does look to upgrade the trenches at No. 21, left tackle could be the move considering there's some uncertainly surrounding the long-term situation at the position after Broderick Jones suffered a season-ending neck injury in November and is in the last year of his rookie contract, assuming his fifth-year option will be turned down.

The team also has a hole at left guard, though, after Seumalo signed with the Arizona Cardinals in free agency. Spencer Anderson could theoretically start there, as could recent addition Brock Hoffman, but as arguably the top interior lineman in this year's draft class, Ioane could potentially slot in at the position for the next decade as a dominant force in just about every aspect of the game.

Allar is much more of a wild card after suffering a season-ending ankle injury in October, but his arm strength and overall makeup are both reasons why organizations may be enthralled by his potential.

The 22-year-old isn't much of a candidate to start right off the bat given his poor mechanics and the fact he's coming off a major injury, but perhaps Mike McCarthy and crew believe in him enough to take him on Day 2.

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