The Pittsburgh Steelers are hoping to wrap up the AFC North in Week 18 against the Baltimore Ravens. Should that not happen, however, the focus will shift quickly — perhaps sooner than the organization would like — to draft positioning.
As things stand entering the final week of the regular season, Pittsburgh is slotted at No. 20 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. That’s a respectable spot for a playoff contender, but not one that lends itself easily to solving major long-term questions.
One of those questions, of course, revolves around quarterback. With Aaron Rodgers’ future still uncertain, speculation has swirled that the Steelers could be in the market for their next signal-caller. But picking 20th makes landing one of the top quarterbacks unlikely, even if Alabama’s Ty Simpson remains a potential option should he slide.
If quarterback is off the table, wide receiver has also been floated as a possibility. USC’s Makai Lemon has been projected to fall into Pittsburgh’s range in some mocks, giving the Steelers another playmaker to pair with DK Metcalf.
However, not every projection sees Pittsburgh leaning offense.
Steelers Predicted To Go Defense In 2026 Mock Draft
In a recent 2026 NFL mock draft, Sports Illustrated’s Nick Merriam had the Steelers turning to defense, projecting them to select Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood.
“In this mock, the corners are flying off the board,” Merriam wrote. “Pittsburgh has some physicality at the position in Joey Porter Jr., but could use a speedier cover man on the opposite sideline.”
Merriam’s projection is shaped heavily by how the board unfolds ahead of Pittsburgh. In his mock, several cornerbacks come off the board before the Steelers are on the clock, thinning out the position group early.
At No. 11 overall, the Los Angeles Rams select Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy. Three picks later, the Dallas Cowboys take LSU corner Mansoor Delane at No. 14. Then at No. 17, the Minnesota Vikings grab Clemson corner Avieon Terrell.
By the time Pittsburgh picks at No. 20, the run on corners has already reshaped the board, making Hood one of the more intriguing options left — especially given the Steelers’ need for balance in the secondary alongside Joey Porter Jr.
Why Colton Hood Fits Pittsburgh’s Draft Profile
Hood’s journey to this point has been anything but conventional. In a span of three seasons, he began his college career at Auburn, transferred to Colorado, and eventually found his footing at Tennessee, where his play took a noticeable leap this season.
With the Volunteers, Hood totaled 50 combined tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one interception returned for a touchdown and 14 pass deflections.
NFL Draft Buzz views Hood as a late bloomer with real upside, particularly if he lands in the right environment.
“The league’s full of corners who took winding paths to success,” NFL Draft Buzz wrote. “Hood reminds me of guys like Michael Davis or Fabian Moreau – late bloomers who needed the right system to unlock their potential. His coverage ability is real, the speed is real, the ball skills are real. If he lands with a defensive backs coach who can clean up the tackling and get him to buy into the dirty work, you’re looking at a ten-year starter. That’s worth a day-two pick even with the question marks.”
While much of the early conversation around Pittsburgh’s draft outlook has centered on quarterback or wide receiver, Merriam’s projection offers a reminder: if the board dictates it, the Steelers won’t hesitate to address defense — even if it’s not the flashiest option on the surface.
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