The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to have 12 picks in the upcoming NFL Draft, which will be hosted by the city of Pittsburgh in a couple of weeks. They are expected to first be on the clock at pick No. 21 overall. It remains to be seen which position the team will address when they make that first-round selection.
Bleacher Report’s latest mock draft has given fans insight into what Steelers GM Omar Khan and the rest of the franchise’s brass may be thinking. In fact, this mock has Pittsburgh going with elite SEC linebacker C.J. Allen.
Pittsburgh Steelers Projected to Land CJ Allen
GettyCJ Allen helped guide Georgia to back-to-back SEC titles in 2024 and 2025.
Here is what Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder had to say about Allen’s abilities and potential in the NFL:
“The Steelers have always placed a heavy emphasis on linebacker play and can do so again by selecting Georgia’s CJ Allen…With trade rumors surrounding Patrick Queen, an opportunity to take advantage of the best linebacker class in years should be on the table. Allen has impressive ball skills for the position and can replace what Queen brought in coverage, while having plenty of upside to develop into a complete backer.”
Allen put together a remarkable career in Athens. A First-Team All-SEC member and All-American playmaker, he grew steadily in each of his three seasons playing for head coach Kirby Smart. He has gone from being a quality role player as a freshman to what could be a franchise linebacker. In his final season at Georgia, he recorded 88 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, four pass deflections, and multiple forced fumbles.
Steelers Will Look to Improve Disappointing 2025 Defense
GettyCam Heyward was named a Second-Team All-Pro in 2025.
While the Steelers might be known for defense, they didn’t play like that a season ago. They finished the season ranked 26th in total defense (356.9 YPG) and 29th in pass defense (243.9 YPG). If it weren’t for their 27 takeaways (4th-best in NFL), things could’ve been way worse for former head coach Mike Tomlin and Co.
Since the hiring of new head coach Mike McCarthy and new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, Pittsburgh has made major moves on defense in free agency. They signed former Super Bowl champion cornerback Jamel Dean to a three-year deal. Furthermore, the team added other veteran defenders such as safety Darnell Savage, safety Jaquan Brisker, and defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day.
Whether or not the team decides to trade Queen, the possible addition of an elite prospect like Allen could make a massive difference for the organization. In a division that includes the likes of Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson, strong play, especially in the middle of the defense, is essential. Nobody knows that better than the team from the Steel City.
Adding young talent to an experienced defensive core that includes future Hall of Fame players T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, and Jalen Ramsey could go a long way towards a possible deep playoff run. All eyes will be on the Steelers when their name appears on the clock as the draft’s host team.
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