The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering the 2025 season with a lot of changes on the roster. Najee Harris and George Pickens are out, while DK Metcalf and Aaron Rodgers are in — and with the clock ticking in Pittsburgh, the pressure is on Mike Tomlin and his staff to deliver a return to the playoffs.
With Rodgers signed to a one-year deal, the future of the quarterback position will be a big talking point after this season. And, in a recent 2026 NFL mock draft, the Steelers addressed that, but also added a quality wide receiver early on to add some more youth to the offense.
Early Mock Draft Fills Steelers’ Offensive Needs
PFSN’s Mark Stolte has compiled a way-too-early three-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft, and at No. 7 overall, he has the Steelers selecting LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier, pegging him as their QB of the future.
In the second round, the Steelers double-dipped on offense by selecting Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston at No. 42 overall.
Denzel Boston Highlights.
Projected 1st Round pick for 2026.
— WestCoastCFB (@WestCoastCFB) July 14, 2025
Boston played his first three seasons at Washington, but he played sparingly in the 2022 and 2023 seasons. In 2024, he had 63 catches for 834 yards and nine touchdowns, and he is expected to be a key part of the Huskies’ offense once again in 2025.
While Boston goes to the Steelers in the second round in this mock, there is a chance he goes in the first round, and some even have him slated there in other mock drafts.
ESPN’s Matt Miller has Boston going at No. 31 to the Philadelphia Eagles and said, “His physical, above-the-rim style is a lot like Tetairoa McMillan’s style,” so the Steelers landing him in the second round would be a monster win for the franchise.
As far as the Nussmeier pick goes, the mock by Stolte had the Steelers going up from No. 10 to land Nussmeier.
“The Steelers have no future at quarterback and are still competent at the majority of positions, meaning they need one quickly. Insert Garrett Nussmeier, and maybe the Steelers have a fighting chance. Nussmeier’s best skills are accuracy and pocket management. His 9.8% pressure-to-sack ratio ranked 12th among FBS quarterbacks last season, and his adjusted completion percentage was top-half,” Stolte wrote.
If this is how the cards unfold for the Steelers next draft, it would give them a young QB-WR duo and hopefully solve their long-term quarterback question, assuming Rodgers hangs it up after the 2025 season.
