The 2026 NFL Draft is in Pittsburgh! This draft season, we’ll be scouting as many of the top prospects that the Pittsburgh Steelers could have their eye on. We’ll break down the prospects themselves, strengths and weaknesses, projected draft capital, and their fit with the Steelers.
Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane feels a lot like Oregon’s Derrick Harmon was for the Steelers last year — if he’s there when the black and gold are on the clock, every sign points to him being the pick at No. 21.
It doesn’t take long to figure out the Olaivavega Ioane hype once you start watching him. He’s not the perfect prospect, per se, but there’s reason why he’s a highly-coveted first rounder in an NFL where guards aren’t viewed as premium talents.
At 6’4, 320 pounds, Ioane has a solid build with impressive strength. He’s immensely powerful and probably my favorite run blocker in this class. Ioane’s grip strength and drive are excellent, and he has enough mobility to succeed in both gap and zone schemes. He plays with good pad level, aggression, and explosive power from his core — a true people mover.
Absurdly fun run blocker. He was on one vs. Nebraska pic.twitter.com/64KwUDhZyH
And when the defender Ioane is matched up against loses balance, or is even a bit smaller, it gets ugly quickly. Ioane is a nasty finisher who takes his assignments on a ride out of the play. I was amazed at how many highlight-worthy plays a left guard could have when watching Ioane.
Legend has it Olaivavega Ioane is still blocking to this day pic.twitter.com/ZH8Slbfp74
In pass protection, many of his strengths carry over. Ioane is a brick wall who doesn’t get pushed back into the quarterback. His heavy hands and strong technique help him match and latch to rushers. And as you’d expect, there are some pancakes there as well.
Where Ioane does have a recurring weakness in his game is versus quicker rushers in pass protection. He’s not the best lateral mover and can especially struggle when there’s extra space around him.
Can struggle with quickness pic.twitter.com/OHfoGLmH4p
Ioane didn’t test much pre-draft (not even qualifying for an RAS) which is mildly concerning. However, while his numbers likely wouldn’t be high-end, his tape shows an athlete who can still get things done in space.
But definitely functional in space pic.twitter.com/8LDJ3FZGHV
Playing against numerous top defensive line talents on a Big Ten schedule, Ioane definitely looked the part of a future Pro Bowl-level starter in the NFL.
Lateral movement isn’t the best; can be beaten by quicker rushers
Prototypical guard for physical run schemes with thick limbs, a broad frame and plus core strength. Ioane plays with excellent contact balance and technique on both base blocks and double teams. He uses his hips and hands for leverage and displacement when drive blocking. However, he lacks athleticism and foot quickness to operate effectively as a move blocker. He pass sets with good posture and a firm punch and can anchor against power. Though quicker at a lighter weight in 2025, he will struggle with twitchy interior defenders who cross his face in the run game and attack his edges in protection. Despite scheme dependence, Ioane projects as an early starter with a high floor.
Plays on the plus side of the line of scrimmage in the run game by covering up targets and creating displacement to form lanes on combinations, angle-drive and base blocks. … Does a nice job using shoe and short sets to play with inside-out positional leverage in pass protection to harden his inside shoulder and force rushers to work down the middle or high-side. … Solid rather than a very good or elite athlete. … Rigid approach as a pass protector results in adequate fluidity and recovery skills once rushers get on his edge. … PRO COMPARISON: Mike Iupati.
Ioane both looks the part and plays the part. In pass protection, he is quick out of his stance and sports a stout base and commanding hands to anchor his spot. As a run blocker, he generates explosive power from his core to dig out defenders on drive/down blocks, flashing the competitive temperament to finish. He doesn’t move any faster than his size would suggest, but he stays efficient with his footwork and flexibility to be effective on movement-based blocks (not scheme-dependent).
Ioane would be a plug-and-play starter at left guard for the Steelers, adding another high-pedigree piece to the Pittsburgh offensive line. He’d be an immediate plus run blocker, and wouldn’t have too much of a learning curve when it comes to NFL pass protection. He’s one of the most ideal picks at No. 21.
The issue, of course, is if Ioane gets that far. Guards don’t have high draft value, but Ioane’s strong profile will be attractive to a number of offensive line-needy teams — namely, Baltimore. The Ravens pick at No. 14, and it’s tough to see a world where they pass on the Penn State star.
Some have floated the idea of trading up for Ioane. I’m a big fan of his, but struggle to see much of a reason to burn so much extra draft capital on guard. He’s a great player, but the Steelers can probably put their second- and extra third-round picks to better use than leapfrogging the Ravens.