All things considered, the first year of the Aaron Rodgers era for the Pittsburgh Steelers went well. Sure, the Steelers again lost in the first round of the NFL Playoffs, but Rodgers clearly still had some gas left in the tank, and with his old head coach in Mike McCarthy now at the helm for Pittsburgh, Rodgers might be motivated to play for one more season.
If he does, the Steelers would surely go all-in to try and get over the hump. This team hasn't won a playoff game in a decade and last won the Super Bowl way back in the 2008 season. Perhaps the 2026 season could break one of those streaks.
If Rodgers were to return for one more season, what might the 2026 NFL Draft look like for the Steelers?
Updated Pittsburgh Steelers mock draft if Aaron Rodgers gives it one more year
21. KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
KC Concepction could be a marvelous fit for the Steelers offense. One thing is certain with Rodgers at this stage in his career - he's not going to throw the ball all over the place and down the field much anymore.
Getting a weapon like Concepcion, who is simply elite with the ball in his hands, would be a wise idea. Rodgers could get him the ball close to the line of scrimmage and let the shifty receiver do the work.
53. Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
Christen Miller seems to be a very 'high floor' player when he gets to the NFL. Not only would this be a good use of pick 53, but the Steelers defensive line is aging, and many players are set to be free agents.
Miller could see an immediate role on passing downs and perhaps develop into a full-time starter in no time. Thus far, it's been a good haul for Pittsburgh.
76. Ja'Kobi Lane, WR, USC
Ja'Kobi Lane is a 6-4 wide receiver who doesn't necessarily profile as a no. 1 receiver, but he's got WR2 upside and immediately becomes a notable red zone threat due to his size. Pittsburgh snags another wide receiver, and all of a sudden may have a three-headed monster with DK Metcalf, Concepcion, and Lane.
85. Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington
Kenneth Gainwell is a free agent this offseason, and while Pittsburgh could bring him back, the Steelers can turn to the NFL Draft and snag another weapon in Jonah Coleman. Running back is typically a position where rookies can come on almost immediately.
99. Austin Barber, OT, Florida
Austin Barber is a tackle prospect who Pittsburgh takes at pick 99 in our latest mock draft. Barber does have the potential to find a spot at one of the tackle spots, but like with many collegiate tackles coming into the NFL, kicking inside to guard is usually what happens.
Grey Zabel of the Seattle Seahawks was a collegiate tackle who transitioned to guard quite nicely.
121. Bud Clark, S, TCU
Bud Clark could be a massive steal here at pick 121, and it's felt like the front office has pieced together this secondary and not necessarily invested NFL Draft capital into it. While Clark isn't a huge investment, he does help the safety room, set to see a ton of players hit the free agent market for the Steelers.
135. Aiden Fisher, LB, Indiana
Again along the defensive side of the ball, Pittsburgh snags a national champion in Aiden Fisher. Following Curt Cignetti from JMU to Indiana, Fisher racked up over 300 total tackles in his time in college.
Cole Holcomb is a free agent this offseason, so some reinforcements are needed in the middle of the defense. The Steelers still have five draft picks left.
159. Thaddeus Dixon, CB, North Carolina
Thaddeus Dixon had 22 career passes defended in college and could be another young player the Steelers add to the secondary. I just do not really understand the front office's methods on the backend of the defense. Drafting and developing is the way to go. The 30-something veteran players they've brought in here just can't keep happening.
213. Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
Drew Allar could be quite the interesting pick for the Steelers. Once a first-round-caliber prospect, Allar kind of hurt his NFL Draft stock after a season-ending injury last October. Allar was indeed trending toward going in Round 1, but now he may have to settle for being a day three selection. Allar is 6-5 and 235 pounds, so the size could not be more ideal.
The arm is lively, and he'll be just 22 years old when the NFL Draft rolls around. If Pittsburgh could snag him at pick 213, they could be getting a potential steal.
215. Albert Regis, DT, Texas A&M
Densely built a 6-1 and nearly 320 pounds, Albert Regis could likely find his NFL home right in the middle of the defense line as a run-stuffing nose tackle. The Steelers do have to get younger along the defensive line.
225. Andre Fuller, CB, Toledo
Another day three cornerback selection, the Steelers take Andre Fuller from Toledo. When teams are picking this late, the ideal hope is that some of these players could develop into high-end backups, but there are always diamonds in the rough.
238. Quintayvious Hutchins, EDGE, Boston College
A smaller pass-rusher, actually rather identical in size to Nik Bonitto of the Denver Broncos, Quintayvious Hutchins is the Steelers final pick in this mock draft, a draft where sweeping, thorough changes are made in hopes that a potential final year of the Rodgers era leads to a Super Bowl title.