The Pittsburgh Steelers had a very strong offseason under GM Omar Khan and assistant GM Andy Weidl, making some significant moves to reshape the roster in a big way for first-year head coach Mike McCarthy.
The additions of names like wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., cornerback Jamel Dean, running back Rico Dowdle, defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day and safety Jaquan Brisker were all solid moves that didn’t cost the franchise too much. On paper, the roster looks better.
But some holes remain, like at left tackle, left guard and wide receiver, to name a few.
There are a few other holes the Steelers have, too, ones that can be defined as underrated needs for the Steelers. Below are my five most underrated needs for Pittsburgh in the 2026 NFL Draft.
1. KICK AND PUNT RETURNER
Losing both Kenneth Gainwell and Calvin Austin III in the same offseason is a big blow to the Steelers, and especially to first-year special teams coordinator Danny Crossman. Gainwell returned 26 kickoffs last season for 633 yards, so there’s a huge void there. The next closest players this season are running backs Jaylen Warren and Kaleb Johnson with eight kick returns each, though neither should see any work there in 2026.
At punt returner, Austin returned 15 punts last season and handled the duties consistently the last three years. No other player on the roster currently returned punts for the Steelers in 2025.
With special teams being so important in today’s NFL, the Steelers need to add a return specialist or two. The NFL Draft offers them with the likes of Iowa’s Kaden Wetjen, the best returner in the sport last season, Montana’s Michael Wortham, Pitt’s Desmond Reid, Kentucky’s Kendrick Law, and more fit that mold.
The Steelers have 12 draft picks in the seven-round process. One of those, ideally on Day 3, must address the return game.
2. FULLBACK
With Mike McCarthy’s hiring as head coach and offensive play caller, the fullback appeared to be making a comeback in Pittsburgh. That is, until Connor Heyward signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency, taking the lone fullback on the roster out of the picture.
Throughout McCarthy’s tenure, names like John Kuhn, Aaron Ripkowski, Danny Vitale and Hunter Luepke all developed into strong blockers and playmakers within his scheme.
The Steelers want to be physical up front and run the football, and they need a true fullback to help pound the rock against teams. Michigan’s Ben Bredeson and Indiana’s Riley Nowakowski make the most sense in that role for the Steelers. Even a name like North Dakota State’s Truman Werremeyer — a product of the same school as Luepke — makes sense.
Addressing fullback late on Day 3 feels like the move. McCarthy is old school and loves the fullback. He needs one.
3. PUNTER
Yes, the Steelers signed Cameron Johnston to a one-year deal right away at the start of the new league year, seemingly righting a wrong they made by going with Corliss Waitman last season. Waitman struggled, drawing the ire of former head coach Mike Tomlin, then quickly found himself out of a job this offseason before landing with San Francisco.
After being cut by the Steelers, Johnston bounced around, punting for the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants in 2025. He averaged a healthy 44.5 yards per punt last season, but his net was just 32.4 yards. He also just turned 34 in February, and he dealt with another injury last season.
Maybe he bounces back in 2026 with the Steelers, but it’s well past time the Steelers get into the mix with a young, big-legged punter in the draft. Names like Georgia’s Brett Thorson, Florida’s Tommy Doman and Syracuse’s Jack Stonehouse all make sense, especially in the seventh round.
It might raise some eyebrows for fans, but drafting a young punter could help solve the issues for the Steelers.
4. OUTSIDE CORNER/GUNNER
Over the last two seasons, the Steelers have been darn good at the gunner position thanks to the work from Ben Skowronek and James Pierre on special teams. The Steelers have done a nice job in recent years limiting yardage on punts. Skowronek, to his credit, worked his way into a Pro Bowl in 2025.
But now, he’s a lone wolf in 2026 as Pierre signed with the Minnesota Vikings after a breakout year on defense, leaving the Steelers a bit thin not only at outside cornerback from a depth perspective, but also at gunner opposite Skowronek. Brandin Echols can handle some gunner work, and maybe even Roman Wilson can step up there and see more playing time.
The Steelers need to add some size to the outside corner position behind Joey Porter Jr. and Jamel Dean, especially someone who can play some special teams. Cory Trice Jr. remains in the mix, too, but he can’t be counted on. Names like Texas’ Malik Muhammad makes sense, as well as the Washington duo of Ephesians Prysock and Tacario Davis, along with Ohio State’s Lorenzo Styles and more.
5. NOSE TACKLE
McCarthy has talked time and time again about tapping into the 3-4 defense’s roots in Pittsburgh and getting back to playing that physical style of football defensively. What comes with that physical style and historic defense is a traditional nose tackle, one who eats up blockers and ties up space.
The Steelers don’t have one of those on the roster. Keeanu Benton has been up and down throughout his career, and there’s some speculation he could be the odd man out when it comes to extension for the 2023 Steelers draft class. So, adding a pure nose tackle could be in the cards. Based on McCarthy’s comments about the defense and the tradition this offseason, it probably should be.
Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald, Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter and Iowa State’s Domonique Orange lead the discussion near the first and second round. Florida State’s Darnell Jackson Jr. has to be included as an option in the third round. Then there are names like Alabama’s Tim Keenan III, Cincinnati’s Dontay Corleone and Auburn’s Bobby Jamison-Travis late in the draft. Texas’ Cole Brevard makes some sense as a UDFA type, too.
The Steelers need a big, squatty body that plays like a true nose to help the run defense. They can find a guy like that in this draft, and it doesn’t have to be a premium pick to do it.