Broderick Jones Remains a Fluid Topic of Conversation
by Bo Marchionte
@bomarchionte | College2Pro.com
Published March 17, 2026, 6:40 PM
Steelers Mock Draft – Pick 21 (Round 1)
In all fairness, just a week ago I had linebacker CJ Allen out of Georgia penciled in as the Steelers’ top choice at No. 21 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, but a little fact-checking and maybe a touch of self-convincing reminds you how fluid this exercise really is, because when you sit in that part of the board, almost any prospect with a clean grade and a logical fit can start to make sense for Pittsburgh.
The Steelers hit free agency like every other team and filled holes here and there knowing that any misses in the free agency period would be addressed between the dates of April 23-25 in Pittsburgh for the 2026 NFL Draft.
They went shopping in the secondary.
Jamel Dean on a three-year deal, the only long-term investment in a room otherwise filled with short-term bets. Jaquan Brisker, Darnell Savage, and a one-year return for Asante Samuel Jr.. Useful players, but all on borrowed time. It’s a patchwork group behind Joey Porter Jr., not a finished product.
Offensively, they added Michael Pittman Jr., a steady presence, not a burner. A chain-mover for whoever lines up under center. Rico Dowdle arrives fresh off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, pairing with Jaylen Warren to give Pittsburgh a backfield that fits its identity physical, downhill, no apologies.
But the real question sits quietly on the left side.
Broderick Jones’ neck uncertain and unresolved. And while Dylan Cook held his own, he isn’t how you build January football. Not in Pittsburgh. Not at left tackle.
So, this week with the 21st pick, I’m providing a few other names I feel are true candidates for selection by the Steelers.
Three names sit there.
Kaydn Proctor, OT, Alabama — 6’6”, 352
If the Steelers want to sleep at night, this is the answer.
Proctor isn’t finesse. He’s mass, power, and long-term security. A plug-in presence if Jones can’t go, and insurance even if he can. Pittsburgh has always valued stability up front and this keeps that tradition intact. Proctor was also listed as the top pick in Steelers full mock draft earlier this month.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, FS, Toledo
This is the Steelers’ sweet spot—MAC, production, instincts.
McNeil-Warren sees it before it happens. Range on the back end, ball skills, and the kind of quiet consistency that fits Pittsburgh’s defensive DNA. With the secondary built on one-year deals, he’s a future starter waiting to happen.
Dillon Thieneman, SS, Purdue — 6’2”, 201, 4.35 speed
Different flavor, same need.
Thieneman brings juice along range, size, and speed (4.35) that changes how the defense can play. He’s not just filling a role, he expands it. A modern safety with old-school toughness, and a back end that suddenly has a pulse.
It’s about securing the offensive line if Jones isn’t right or stabilizing a secondary built on one-year rentals.
The Steelers have given themselves flexibility in free agency.
Now comes the part they’ve always done best finding the player who isn’t just good… but necessary for their long-term success.
Photo Credit Frank Hyatt/College2Pro.com
