The Pittsburgh Steelers top brass has been noticeably absent in Pro Day visits. What is Omar Khan and Mike McCarthy's draft strategy?
The Pittsburgh Steelers were once a relatively easy team to read in the NFL Draft . The Kevin Colbert– Mike Tomlin duo typically aligned their first-round selections with their pro day attendance. Now, the question is whether General Manager Omar Khan is moving away from that approach?
On Wednesday, Khan and Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy were expected to attend Ohio State's pro day , where they could have evaluated top prospects like Caleb Downs , Carnell Tate, and Kayden McDonald. Instead, neither reportedly showed up.
Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II, head coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Omar Khan on Jan. 27, 2026,. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
They also skipped Alabama's pro day, missing an opportunity to evaluate Ty Simpson , and notably passed on a local pro day at Penn State. So far, the only pro day either has attended was Georgia's on March 18.
At this point last year, Tomlin and Khan had attended six to seven pro days. This year, the organization's top decision-makers have just one confirmed visit.
This shift raises a key question for Steelers fans and media alike: what is their strategy? Notably, the team's last two first-round picks, Derrick Harmon and Troy Fautanu , did not have strong pro day attendance from the Steelers' top brass. In fact, the organization showed minimal presence at those events.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Derrick Harmon in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 16, 2025 — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
One area that has remained consistent under Khan is the team's use of Top 30 visits. Across the past two drafts, six 2024 picks and three 2025 picks visited Pittsburgh. In total, nine of the team's 14 selections came from these visits.
That group includes the Steelers' two most recent first-round picks. In 2023, first-rounder Broderick Jones was a Top 30 visit, along with Darnell Washington , Joey Porter Jr. , and Keeanu Benton . Still, these visits don't guarantee that the most popular or expected prospect will be the selection.
Last season illustrated that clearly. The Steelers were heavily linked to Shedeur Sanders , now the Cleveland Browns ' quarterback. He visited the team, betting odds heavily favored the connection, and much of the national media projected him as the pick.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Jan. 2, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
But the Steelers went in a different direction, selecting Harmon instead.
So far, the Steelers have scheduled or completed 16 of their 30 Top 30 visits. Among those prospects, only Denzel Boston consistently appears in first-round projections. While there's still time to complete the remaining visits, Pittsburgh appears intent on keeping its plans close to the vest.
What will the Khan–McCarthy draft strategy look like—not just in 2026, but in the years ahead? Time will tell. One thing is certain: don't expect the Steelers to show their hand as they pursue their coveted ace.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : What is Omar Khan and Mike McCarthy's First-Round Scouting Strategy?
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