Steelers Opt for Penn State Star Over Allar in ESPN Mock Draft

Analysts project the Steelers will pass on the highly touted QB prospect in favor of a different top prospect.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 8:48pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented and overlapping shapes representing a football game or NFL draft scene, conveying the complex decision-making process of the Steelers' front office.The Steelers' draft strategy will be closely watched as they look to find their next franchise quarterback.Today in Pittsburgh

In a recent ESPN mock draft, analysts projected that the Pittsburgh Steelers will bypass selecting highly touted quarterback prospect Drew Allar and instead choose a different top prospect from nearby Penn State University.

Why it matters

The Steelers have a long history of developing quarterbacks, and their decision on who to select with their first-round pick will be closely watched as they look to find their next franchise signal-caller.

The details

The ESPN mock draft has the Steelers selecting a different Penn State player over Allar, who has been widely projected as a potential top pick. This suggests the Steelers may see more value in a different position or player, even with Allar's high upside as a quarterback prospect.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24-26.

The players

Drew Allar

A highly touted quarterback prospect who has been projected as a potential top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The NFL franchise based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that has a long history of success and developing star quarterbacks.

Penn State University

The major public research university located in University Park, Pennsylvania, which has produced numerous NFL draft picks over the years.

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What’s next

The Steelers' actual draft selections will be closely watched as they look to find their next franchise quarterback, with Allar and other top prospects potentially in the mix.

The takeaway

The Steelers' decision on who to select with their first-round pick will be a key storyline leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, as they look to find the right fit to lead the team into the future at the quarterback position.