2026 NFL Mock Draft: Steelers land a QB without having to trade up

It might be way too early to start looking ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft, but for Pittsburgh Steelers fans it is never too early. This is for a multitude of reasons. First, the draft is going to be held in Pittsburgh, and it is also likely the Steelers will be aggressive in selecting their next quarterback in a very deep quarterback class.

To help shine some light on what could possibly happy in the selection process in 2026, ESPN’s Matt Miller did a way-too-early 2026 NFL Mock Draft. Before looking at the selections, let’s get a grasp on what Miller did to figure out draft order, etc.

“The 1-32 order for this mock draft comes from ESPN’s Football Power Index, which uses thousands of simulations to predict the 2025 NFL season. FPI right now has the Cleveland Browns in the No. 1 spot, one of their two first-round picks. The Browns aren’t alone in having multiple Round 1 picks, as the Los Angeles Rams will also have two selections. Of course, a lot will change between now and when the 2026 draft starts next April in Pittsburgh. Prospects will move around draft boards, and some of these players will ultimately return to school for another year. One player you will not see in this mock draft is Texas quarterback Arch Manning; I still think he will stay in college for the 2026 season.

“We have an entire season of game tape ahead of us — and I admittedly haven’t watched a ton on everyone just yet. So this is an early look meant to identify how things stand right now. Let’s dive in with Cleveland. (Note: Underclassmen are marked with an asterisk.)”

With that out of the way, here is how Round 1 shakes out until the Steelers select 16th overall:

Round 1

1. Cleveland Browns – Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson

2. New York Giants – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami*

3. Tennessee Titans – T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson*

4. New York Jets – Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas*

5. New Orleans Saints – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State*

6. Carolina Panthers – Peter Woods, DT, Clemson*

7. Las Vegas Raiders – Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami*

8. New England Patriots – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State*

9. Los Angeles Rams (from ATL) – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama*

10. Seattle Seahawks – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah*

11. Indianapolis Colts – Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU

12. Cleveland Browns (from JAX) – Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah*

13. Dallas Cowboys – Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn*

14. Arizona Cardinals – Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson*

15. Miami Dolphins – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee*

16. Pittsburgh Steelers – LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina*

“Aaron Rodgers eventually signed with the Steelers, but all signs indicate it’s a one-year arrangement, which makes quarterback Pittsburgh’s offseason focus again in 2026. Sellers is one of the nation’s most exciting prospects, as he threw for 18 touchdowns to seven interceptions last season while rushing for 674 yards and seven scores. The 6-foot-3, 242-pounder is big, strong and mobile and could be picked way before this if he cleans up some decision-making mistakes. With two years of eligibility following next season, Sellers is no lock to be in the draft, but his potential excites evaluators.”

To know more about Sellers, here is a draft breakdown via NFL Draft Buzz:

Scouting Report: Strengths

• Exceptional arm talent with easy velocity – can drive the ball 55-60 yards downfield with minimal strain and shows tremendous zip firing into tight windows on intermediate routes
• Natural runner with serious juice – accelerates quickly to top speed and runs with impressive power, consistently breaking arm tackles with his muscled 240-pound frame
• Advanced pocket presence for his age – keeps eyes downfield while navigating pressure and shows rare ability to reset and throw accurately while on the move
• Creates explosive plays out of structure – combination of arm strength and athleticism allows him to be dangerous both extending plays and throwing from multiple platforms
• Competitive toughness jumps off the tape – rises to the moment in big games and shows the clutch gene, as evidenced by game-winning drive at Clemson
• High football IQ with excellent processing speed – reads defenses pre and post-snap with veteran savvy unusual for an underclassman
  Clean, repeatable throwing motion generates consistent accuracy – completing 65.6% of passes shows his natural feel as a passer
• Youth and projectability are major selling points – won’t turn 21 until after his junior season, giving him runway for continued physical and mental development

Scouting Report: Weaknesses

• Still developing touch on deep balls – has the arm strength but needs to improve trajectory control and placement on vertical routes
  Can play too fast at times, particularly against pressure – needs to slow mental clock down and avoid rushing throws when initial read isn’t there
• Limited college experience with only one full season as starter – more game reps needed to fully evaluate ceiling and floor
  Will occasionally trust arm talent too much leading to dangerous throws – competitive nature can get him in trouble forcing balls into tight coverage
• Must continue developing anticipation on timing routes – slight delay throwing to spots rather than waiting to see receivers break open

Scouting Report: Summary

NFL projection? The physical tools and developmental trajectory have scouts salivating. Sellers brings a Jalen Hurts-plus skill set with a stronger arm and bigger frame than Hurts had at the same stage. The natural athleticism jumps off the tape – he’s the rare quarterback who’s both a legitimate running threat and a gifted passer. That said, with just one full season as a starter, he remains one of the more inexperienced potential prospects in his class.

The 2025 season looms large for Sellers on two fronts. First, he needs to show significant development in the nuances of the position – particularly in pocket presence, progression reads, and touch throws. Second, as a fourth-year junior, he’ll face a crucial decision about whether to declare for the draft or return for his senior season. While he possesses arguably the highest ceiling of any quarterback potentially eligible for the 2026 draft, his limited experience could make an additional year of seasoning appealing.

For teams looking at the long game, Sellers represents the ultimate high-risk, high-reward prospect. His combination of elite physical tools, proven production, and significant untapped potential gives him legitimate franchise quarterback upside. But his development arc will need to accelerate considerably over the next season to justify an early first-round selection. The raw talent is undeniable – now it’s about transforming that potential into consistent high-level performance.

What would you think if the draft board fell this way and the Steelers made this pick? Let us know in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for training camp.