Lance Zierlein of NFL.com projects the Pittsburgh Steelers to have four compensatory picks in the 2026 NFL Draft — one in Round 3, one in Round 4, one in Round 5 and one in Round 6.
The Steelers had six key departures in free agency — Dan Moore Jr. (Titans), Justin Fields ( Jets ), Russell Wilson (Giants), James Daniels (Dolphins), Donte Jackson ( Chargers ) and Najee Harris (Chargers). Mason Rudolph and Malik Harrison were the two key additions in regard to the compensatory pick formula.
"Steelers general manager Omar Khan has commented publicly that adding compensatory picks for the 2026 draft has been part of Pittsburgh's free agency strategy this year. Khan traded for DK Metcalf and picked up Darius Slay after he had been cut by the Eagles, so neither addition impacts Pittsburgh's haul. The additions of Rudolph and Harrison came at relatively modest contract numbers, canceling out the departures of Jackson and Harris. Moore's huge contract will earn the Steelers a third-round pick, while the losses of Fields, Wilson and Daniels should push the Steelers into the max number of four selections next year," Zierlein wrote .
The 2026 NFL Draft class is absolutely loaded with talent . The class could include Texas' Arch Manning , Penn State's Drew Allar , South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers, LSU's Garrett Nussmeier , Clemson's Cade Klubnik , Arizona State's Sam Leavitt, UCLA's Nico Iamaleava, Oregon's Dante Moore and Miami 's Carson Beck .
The loaded crop of quarterbacks in 2026 is good news for the Steelers, as they are in desperate need of a franchise QB. The extra picks also give general manager Omar Khan ammunition to trade up in the draft.
Drew Allar and the Penn State quarterbacks warmup for the Lions conference matchup at Maryland. — Matt Lynch / Nittany Sports Now:
Pro Football Focus has the Steelers landing Penn State quarterback Drew Allar at 14th overall in their way-too-early 2026 mock draft.
"Aside from a dismal performance against Notre Dame, in which he got little help from his wide receivers, Allar had another excellent season as Penn State's starter last year. He is an excellent protector of the football, with a career 1.5% turnover-worthy play rate, and has a cannon arm that he uses to sling passes down the middle of the field," PFF wrote .
"If Penn State can find him some legitimate help on the outside, Allar is poised to bring the Nittany Lions back to the playoff."
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Steelers Will Have Ammunition to Work With in 2026 NFL Draft
