Steelers Host Top Big Ten Draft Prospects

OL Olaivavega Ioane, G Beau Stephens, and TE Will Kacmarek visit Pittsburgh ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

Apr. 14, 2026 at 4:59pm

A cubist-style painting featuring fragmented, geometric shapes in shades of gray, representing football players and the NFL draft process in an abstract, deconstructed manner.The Steelers' pre-draft visits with top offensive line and tight end prospects from the Big Ten showcase their priorities ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.Penn State Erie Today

The Pittsburgh Steelers hosted three top draft prospects from the Big Ten conference on Tuesday, meeting with Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane, Iowa guard Beau Stephens, and Ohio State tight end Will Kacmarek. Ioane and Stephens were both first-team All-Big Ten selections in 2025, while Kacmarek was a productive pass-catcher for the Buckeyes over the last two seasons.

Why it matters

The Steelers are looking to bolster their offensive line and receiving corps through the 2026 NFL Draft, and these pre-draft visits indicate the players they are evaluating closely as potential early-round selections. Ioane and Stephens are considered among the top guard prospects, while Kacmarek could provide a pass-catching threat at tight end.

The details

According to reports, the Steelers hosted Ioane, Stephens, and Kacmarek for pre-draft visits on Tuesday. Ioane started 27 games at left guard for Penn State over the last two seasons and was a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2025. Stephens joined Ioane on the all-conference team and started 35 games during his Iowa career. Kacmarek caught 23 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns for Ohio State in 2024 and 2025.

  • The Steelers hosted the three prospects on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

The players

Olaivavega Ioane

A guard from Penn State who was a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2025 after starting 27 games over the last two seasons.

Beau Stephens

A guard from Iowa who was also a first-team All-Big Ten pick in 2025 and started 35 games during his college career.

Will Kacmarek

A tight end from Ohio State who caught 23 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns over the last two seasons.

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The takeaway

The Steelers' pre-draft visits with these top Big Ten prospects indicate their priorities in the upcoming draft, as they look to address needs on the offensive line and at tight end. Ioane and Stephens are considered potential early-round picks who could step in and start right away, while Kacmarek could provide a pass-catching threat at a position of need for Pittsburgh.