Top guard prospect visiting Pittsburgh Steelers

Penn State's Vega Ioane among 3 Big Ten players meeting with the team ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

Apr. 14, 2026 at 4:33pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented, overlapping visual elements of a football game or draft prospect, using the Pittsburgh Steelers' black and gold colors to conceptually represent the team's strategic evaluation process.The Steelers' pre-draft evaluation of top offensive line prospects like Vega Ioane reflects the team's strategic approach to bolstering their roster through the upcoming NFL Draft.Today in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers are hosting several top prospects from the Big Ten conference, including Penn State offensive lineman Vega Ioane, who is considered one of the best guards in the 2026 NFL Draft class. The Steelers have a hole at left guard after Isaac Seumalo signed with the Arizona Cardinals, and Ioane could be a target for them with the 21st overall pick if he's still available.

Why it matters

The Steelers are looking to bolster their offensive line through the draft, and landing a top guard prospect like Ioane could help solidify that unit. Pittsburgh finished 9-7 last season and narrowly missed the playoffs, so adding high-end talent on both sides of the ball will be crucial as they look to return to the postseason in 2026.

The details

In addition to Ioane, the Steelers are also hosting Iowa guard Beau Stephens and Ohio State tight end Will Kacmarek on pre-draft visits. Stephens was a First-Team All-Big Ten selection and an Associated Press All-American, while Kacmarek was primarily used as a run-blocking tight end for the Buckeyes in 2025.

  • The Steelers are hosting the prospects on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
  • The 2026 NFL Draft is set to begin in just over a week.

The players

Vega Ioane

A top guard prospect from Penn State who is visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Beau Stephens

An Iowa guard who was a First-Team All-Big Ten selection and an Associated Press All-American, and is also visiting the Steelers.

Will Kacmarek

An Ohio State tight end who was predominantly used as a run-blocker in 2025 and is meeting with the Steelers.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The Pittsburgh Steelers continue their pre-draft visits ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, which kicks off in just over a week.”

— Jarrett Bailey, Author

What’s next

The Steelers will continue to evaluate these prospects and others ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, which begins on April 24th.

The takeaway

The Steelers are being proactive in their pre-draft preparations, bringing in top talent from the Big Ten conference as they look to address needs on the offensive line and at tight end. Landing a player like Ioane could be a significant boost for their offense in 2026.