B-
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers won the night they stopped Golday from sliding. Grade: B-.
by Desean ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 3 steals
· 2 reaches
When a board-topper like Jake Golday slides to slot 121, you do not overthink it, and the Steelers did not. Nothing here to lose sleep over; call it a B-.
For all the activity, quarterback went untouched, which is hard to explain. They will need Hurst to outplay his draft slot in a hurry to justify it. Interior defensive lineman is handled and the depth chart looks a good deal healthier for it.
Building through the lines is a philosophy, and they stuck to it.
In sum, a sensible class that nudges the roster the right way.
Pick-by-Pick
In slot 21 they get a plug-and-play piece up front. More want than need.
They stopped a slide they were happy to see, landing Emmanuel McNeil-Warren in pick 53. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
They jumped the gun on Ted Hurst, taking him earlier than his grade liked. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
A tidy bit of business in Round 3, Pick 21, where Domonique Orange graded well above the range. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
They paid sticker price for De'Zhaun Stribling in the 99th overall pick, and that is fine. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
A top-tier edge rusher at a bargain, Jake Golday in the 121st pick, plain and simple. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Hezekiah Masses at the Round 4 slot is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. The roster fit checks out.
Travis Burke at No. 161 is a clear overpay, with better names still on the board. A want dressed up as a pick, at a spot they had covered.