The Pittsburgh Steelers drafting Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett didn’t work out. In the new 2026 NFL mock draft released Thursday, ESPN pundits predicted the Steelers to try another local signal-caller — Penn State’s Drew Allar.
In a 3-round NFL mock draft, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. slotted Allar to the Steelers at No. 85 overall in the third round.
“OK, the QB board is finally lining up for the Steelers. Allar is coming off that ankle injury, but he has upside,” Kiper wrote. “And he has the size we’ve seen under center in Pittsburgh; at 6-foot-5 and 228 pounds, his frame reminds of Ben Roethlisberger.
“If Aaron Rodgers is back, Allar can learn from a legend. If not, he could potentially compete with Mason Rudolph and Will Howard.”
Allar possesses the upside Kiper referenced due to his size and arm strength. The quarterback stands at 6-foot-5 and 228 pounds.
In the 2004 NFL Draft, Ben Roethlisberger was nearly 6-foot-5 and 241 pounds.
Steelers Predicted to Wait Until Third Round to Draft QB in Penn State’s Drew Allar
GettyCould the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Penn State quarterback Drew Allar?
The Penn State quarterback has the physical tools to be an NFL starter. But NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein isn’t convinced Allar has the mental fortitude to exceed at the next level.
Zierlein graded Allar to be an average NFL backup.
“Allar looks the part with prototypical size and an effortless arm that can make any NFL throw,” Zierlein wrote. “However, inconsistent touch and ball placement are a major hindrance. In big moments and big games, he hasn’t proven he can rise to the occasion or sustain efficiency.
“The stats looked good in a conservative offense as a sophomore, but his play became more erratic once the playbook was opened up and more responsibility was put on his plate.”
With the Steelers hiring Mike McCarthy, the organization now possesses a head coach with proven experience at developing quarterbacks.
But Allar has a lot of developing to do.
“Mechanical fixes are possible, but confidence, poise and recognition must be the foundation of any rebound. Allar projects as an average backup with high-end traits,” concluded Zierlein.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah sounded much more confident about the quarterback’s mental traits while he spoke to reporters at the combine. But Jeremiah was split on where exactly Allar should fall in the 2026 NFL draft.
“That’s a tough one to figure out,” Jeremiah said of Allar, via PennLive.com’s Johnny McGonigal. “But you’ve got the size. He’s incredibly intelligent and bright. He didn’t have a lot of talent at the receiver position with him. Is that a third round? Is that a fourth round?”
Kiper ranked Allar his No. 4 quarterback in the 2026 draft class, which pundits widely regarded as a weak group.
How Drafting Allar Would Impact Steelers QB Room
GettyThe newest ESPN 2026 NFL mock draft projected the Pittsburgh Steelers to select QB Drew Allar to work with Aaron Rodgers and Will Howard.
Kiper’s prediction that the Steelers will select a third-round quarterback makes a lot of sense. Even if Aaron Rodgers returns, the team is still looking for a long-term solution behind center.
But there’s a lot of moving parts to the Steelers potentially drafting a quarterback this spring.
First, it’s not clear Rodgers is returning.
Kiper predicted Allar to land in Pittsburgh regardless of whether Rodgers re-signs. But if Rodgers doesn’t return, then the Steelers will be left with two non-Day 1 quarterback prospects who have never played in the league and Mason Rudolph should they draft Allar.
If Rodgers doesn’t come back, they might prefer a signal-caller with more starter experience for their quarterback competition instead of Allar. Who that quarterback might be after Kirk Cousins signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday, though, is a major question.
On the other hand, if the Steelers sign Rodgers and draft Allar, they will have four quarterbacks.
Teams often have four signal-callers on their offseason roster. But it’s far less common for rosters during the season.
But four roster spots dedicated to quarterbacks will probably be a must for the Steelers if they bring in both Rodgers and Allar this spring. The alternative would be to part with either Rudolph or Will Howard.
Both of those departures would come with major drawbacks.
Pittsburgh still has a lot to settle behind center this offseason. But Allar to the Steelers in the third round appears to be on the table.
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