It is officially draft day! Time for one more crack at guessing the Steelers first round pick, giving myself five tries.  I can almost guarantee one of these five players names will be called by the Pittsburgh Steelers tonight:

1. Venga Ioane: OG – Penn State

Ioane has been the hot name around Steelers mock drafts.  He fits exactly what the team needs to complete their offensive line. Venga Ioane is the best guard prospect to come out of the draft in some time.  The only question is will he still be there at 21?  Omar Khan may have to move up into the teens to get their man here.  The Steelers have plenty of draft capital to do so.

2. Spencer Fano: OT – Utah

Spencer Fano got our attention when he came in as a predraft visit later on in the process.  The attraction with him besides being among the best offensive line prospects in the draft, is his position flexibility.  With the injury concerns surrounding Broderick Jones, Fano could step in day one and play tackle.  Once Jones is healthy, Fano can kick inside and become a Pro Bowl caliber guard next to Jones.  This pick covers all the Steelers worries around the offensive line in a big way.  Acquiring Fano would also require a trade up by the Steelers.

Spencer Fano was my choice in my final Steelers mock draft. Steelers mock draft 4.0: The last try

3. Omar Cooper Jr.: WR – Indiana

Omar Cooper is among the cleanest receiver prospects in this draft.  He would be the perfect fit in the slot along side Micheal Pittman and DK Metcalf.  Cooper did not come in for a predraft visit, but the Steelers are very familiar with him. Steelers wide receiver coach Adam Henry coached Cooper in his freshman year at Indiana, and have kept in contact over the years.  Also Steelers senior offensive assistant Frank Cignetti is brothers with Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti.  If the Steelers stick and pick at 21, Omar Cooper Jr. is as solid candidate as anyone to be the choice.

4. Emmanuel McNeil Warren: S – Toledo

The Steelers have a substantial need at the safety position.  Deshon Elliot is coming off a major injury, and Jaquan Brisker is on only a one year contract. Warren is a big hitting ball hawk who had 9 career forced fumbles, and 5 interceptions  at Toledo.  He was also among the 30 predraft visits for the Steelers. If the run on offensive lineman and receivers happens, look for the Steelers to pivot to McNeil Warren.

5. Denzel Boston: WR – Washington

Not a really big fan of this one, but have to acknowledge he fits what the Steelers are looking for.  Denzel Boston is a big (6’4″), contested catch master out of Washington.  The production was there with almost 900 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025.  The concern here is Boston refused to test during the draft process opening up speculation he may be extremely slow.  Contested catch guys don’t always translate to the NFL going up against bigger, stronger competition.  The Steelers have shown interest however so he’s a likely candidate given the need at wide receiver.