2026 Eagles & Steelers Only 3-Round Mock Draft (Versione Finale)
We’re just days away from the start of my favorite overhyped sporting event. That overhyped sporting event is none other than the NFL Draft. Every spring, after two and a half months of no football on our screens to distract us from the Sunday scaries, the games don’t return, but we, the red-blooded-American-incredibly-susceptible-to-gambling-addiction-presented-by-DraftKings-football-loving junkies, receive a small fix in the form of the NFL Draft. In my brain, nothing galvanizes an instantaneous release of dopamine faster than hearing that sweet chime of bells right before a selection is announced.
During the draft, one of the more intriguing aspects of the three-day long spectacle is observing the selection strategies of both the Eagles and Steelers. Not only is this due to fandom or geographical bias, but these two teams always keep me on my toes with their selections. However, I think I have a fairly good idea of the type of player each team will select in the first three rounds of this year’s draft. Now, Steelers fans may be wondering, “Ev Dog, what do you know about the Steelers?” With many friends and family in my life bleeding black and gold, I have consumed thousands of hours of Steelers content over the years. Plus, as someone who lived in Allegheny County at one point in his life, once a Yinzer, always a Yinzer!
With each team possessing a considerable number of picks in the first three rounds, I’d be shocked if each team doesn’t utilize their draft capital to move up and select talented players at positions of need who likely won’t last until Pick #21 or 23. (It also means less writing for this lazy blog boy!) Let’s go crazy like a royally-named 80s musician and predict a couple of first-round trades.
🚨 TRADES!!!🚨
Steelers Trade Picks #21 (1st), #76 (3rd), and #135 (4th) to Tampa Bay for Picks #15 (1st) and #155 (5th)
Eagles Trade Picks #23 (1st), #68 (3rd), and #114 (4th) to New York Jets for Picks #16 (1st) and 103 (4th)
Get off the phone Lucy!!! He’ll acquire your ball for only a 6th-round pick!
Round 1
Steelers #15: Vega Ioane – Interior Offensive Lineman (Penn State)
Imagine the scenes: the commissioner is deservedly and mercilessly booed by the home crowd as the NFL attempts to negate the noisy contempt by parading a batch of former Steelers across the stage. It helps momentarily, but as soon as Roger Goodell opens his piehole, the Stiller fans revert back into rabid rascals as they recall the injustice of Week 15 of the 2017 season when Jesse James was robbed of a touchdown and the Patriots returned back to their referee-favoring golden boy league status. However, everyone goes silent as the pick is announced. “With the 15th pick in the NFL Draft, the Steelers select…Vega Ioane, offensive lineman, Penn State.” A thunderous eruption bellows in the areas surrounding the confluence of the three rivers. On top of a tsunami warning being issued for nearby neighborhoods, tremors are reported all the way out in Westmoreland County as the Pittsburgh Steelers nailed their selection. Certainly, he’ll pan out better than the last few promising offensive lineman they took in the first round! In all seriousness though folks, I believe he’ll do well as a mauler at the next level and contribute instantly to an offense that resembles something closer to the formidable teams of the 2000s.
(Previous Mock Draft Pick – Brandon Cisse, CB – South Carolina)
Eagles #16: Dillon Thieneman – Safety (Oregon)
Given the impending A.J. Brown trade, an offensive line that will likely see two of its starters get traded to the Boca Raton retirement home of their choice within the next year or so, and the defensive roster construction once again playing its new favorite game show Will this Defensive End have a Breakout Season? (hosted by Wayne Brady), the Eagles should take a top prospect at either receiver, tackle, or edge. But dammit, I want Exciting Whites 2.0! Don’t let Thieneman’s lack of melanin fool you. His otherworldly athleticism allows him to not only run a 4.35 40-yard dash or jump a 41-inch vertical, but also fly across the field to make vital plays all game long. That coupled with his high on-the-field IQ that anticipates opposing offensive maneuvers before they happen ultimately generates one hell of a player. Plus, it’s not the most substantial roster need for the Eagles, but the safety position could use an enhancement of talent to shore up the absence of Reed Blankenship.
I would like to also take this time to give a shoutout to former Eagles cornerback Cre’Von LeBlanc, aka Strap. He may not be of the Caucasian persuasion or even too exciting of a player, but he definitely has one of the most elegant and wine-evoking names of our time.
(Previous Mock Draft Pick – Peter Woods, DT – Clemson)
Round 2
Steelers #53: D’Angelo Ponds – Cornerback (Indiana)
It may concern some that he’s not even three inches taller than Ev Dog, but this short king believes Ponds is a feisty pest who’s ready to irritate the hell out of opposing fans and players. I think Pittsburgh fans who always expect a high level of physicality would be overjoyed by his willingness and ability to make a tackle. I prognosticate a career arc similar to Joey Porter Jr. with handsy penalties drawing the ire of fans in his first couple of years before he finds his footing and becomes a higher-end CB #2 in the league.
(Previous Mock Draft Pick – Zachariah Branch, WR – Georgia)
Eagles #54: Caleb Tiernan – Tackle (Northwestern)
It’s not a sexy pick, but the Eagles need to address the future of the tackle position sooner than later. Even if Tiernan won’t start this year, after a litany of offensive line afflictions inhabited the weekly injury reports last season, it makes sense to add top-level depth in a vital year for the Birds. Some project the 6’8’’ Northwestern tackle to transition to guard in the NFL due to his Will Campbell-esque short arms. If this is the case, the reasons it would still be a great pick are threefold: Landon Dickerson’s future with the team also appears to be nearing its final stretch, Caleb was a good run blocker in college, and former Eagle Mekhi Becton stood at 6’7’’ while contributing massively (No pun intended) to the 2024 offense’s historic season. No matter what position he plays, a young offensive lineman would benefit immensely from the wisdom Lane Johnson could offer him.
(Previous Mock Draft Pick – Chris Bell, WR – Louisville)
Round 3
Steelers #85: Skyler Bell – WR (UConn)
I think inserting Bell into the slot as an inside source of speed and shiftiness would pair well with Pittman and Metcalf distracting defensive backs on the outside. If the Metcalf experiment ends after year 2, Bell could be the next great Day 2 WR for the Steelers. Pittsburgh fans would also admire that he plays above his size as a blocker in the run game.
(Previous Mock Draft Pick – Emmett Johnson – RB Nebraska)
Eagles #98: Oscar Delp – Tight End (Georgia)
It may not be their most pressing need this season with Dallas Goedert re-signing with the team, but Philadelphia’s depth and future at the tight end position are fairly concerning. I refuse to be subjected to the torment of watching Grant Calcaterra attempt to block for another season. Delp has the tools required to be an athletic tight end in the league, but skills paramount to the position, including blocking and separation, will need to develop significantly in order for him to become a well-rounded starter in the league. If he does puts it all together, perhaps one day he’ll have his own cereal.
Part of a complete and balanced breakfast!
(Previous Mock Draft Pick – Nadame Tucker, Edge – Western Michigan)
Steelers #99: Drew Allar – Quarterback (Penn State)
Dread it, run from it, Drew Allar to the Steelers arrives all the same. I considered Ty Simpson as a selection in the first round, but I think the top brass in Pittsburgh would rather invest a top pick in the more coveted 2027 draft class of quarterbacks. Not to mention, there appears to be noteworthy interest here as the team has met multiple times with Allar across the pre-draft process.
As someone who has watched every game Drew Allar played in college, I believe he possesses the raw skills required to become a good pocket passer in the NFL. He’s got the speed of a Zamboni, but I think my favorite under-the-radar aspect of his game is his ability to pick up a first down with his long legs when a play breaks down. Beyond his prototypical size, he has the ability to thread a ball through a tight window of multiple defenders. Unfortunately, Penn State fans rarely observed this level of passing talent that earned him a five-star high school recruiting ranking. I think Drew’s most-prevalent flaws were constant overthinking and a fear of turning the ball over. Interestingly, his best play emerged when the offense was in hurry-up mode at the end of a half as he had less time to think about anything other than moving the ball down the field quickly.
If the Steelers select him, I’m more encouraged about his development under new coach Mike McCarthy than it would be under the tutelage of the old guard. Former McCarthy starting quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Dak Prescott naturally log league-leading statistical performances without Mike’s assistance, but his coaching has historically benefited backups like Matt Flynn and Cooper Rush.
(Previous Mock Draft Pick – Ted Hurst, WR – Georgia State)