Introduction

This is the first year I followed the NFL Draft process closely. I wrote this draft guide for Steelers fans so they know what to watch for during the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. It's a fascinating process of evaluating prospects not only as individual players, but in the context of the different teams that could draft them. One player who would become a star for one team may hardly see the field if a different team drafts them. This is how I viewed players in the context of being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers