The Steelers loaded up on new talent in the 2026 NFL Draft — but so did the league’s other 31 teams. In fact, the AFC North was home to two of the highest-rated draft classes this year.
How did the Steelers’ draft class compare to their rivals? Let’s take a look:
The Steelers continued to focus on their offensive line in the 2026 draft, selecting a high-ceiling tackle in Iheanachor in the first round and a future starter at guard in Dunker with their third-round pick. Bernard should be an instant contributor behind DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman at wide receiver, while Allar is a mid-round dart throw as the team continues to search for a long term quarterback. Early reviews of this draft class have been middling, but if some of the high-upside picks work out, the returns will be excellent.
Much to Steelers fans’ dismay, the guard-needy Ravens nabbed Ioane in the first round, adding one of the draft’s most NFL-ready linemen with the 14th-overall pick. Young, who many saw as a potential first-round pick at one point, becomes the latest Baltimore dart throw on the edge. Lane and Sarratt are an interesting duo of back-shoulder specialists at wide receiver, while Rivers and Benny have the potential to be Day 3 gems down the road.
I wasn’t the highest on Fano in this draft, but he has the athleticism of a tackle and the floor of a solid zone-blocking guard — he should eventually settle into a starting role at one of those spots. Concepcion and Boston complement each other well in what is now a revitalized Browns receiving room, while McNeil-Warren was one of the best value steals of the second round. Green and Ryan were some of my favorite Day 3 fliers. Cleveland is still in quarterback purgatory for the time being, but on paper, the Browns’ draft was a successful endeavor.
The lone AFC North team to not select an offensive lineman with their first-round pick, the Bengals instead sent it to the Giants pre-draft in a blockbuster trade for stud defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. That defensive focus continued to Day 2, where Cincinnati selected Howell, who becomes the Bengals’ latest attempt to fix its edge rusher room, and Davis, a long, press corner with 4.4 speed. Lew, who drew comparisons to Zach Frazier pre-draft, could be a steal in the fourth round.