PIT
Steelers
AFC NorthOFF: West CoastDEF: Cover 3 Zone
1st Pick
#21
Scheme ConfidenceTier 1Full Continuity
McCarthy takes over as both head coach and offensive coordinator, bringing his own empirical data that places him in the 'Modern Mainstream' cluster. His West Coast system is assigned with high confidence based on his playcalling history across multiple stops. Graham arrives as the new defensive coordinator with his own empirical fingerprint from the '4-3 Under Zone' cluster, leading to a high-confidence Cover 3 Zone projection. Both coordinators have substantial playcalling data rather than relying on coaching tree inferences. The transition from Arthur Smith's offense (67% shotgun, 60% pass rate) to McCarthy's system (72% shotgun, 65% pass rate) represents a moderate shift toward more passing volume but similar shotgun usage.
Positional Needs
QBCRITICAL
9.4
WRHIGH
5.8
LBHIGH
5.8
EDGEMODERATE
4.0
RBMODERATE
3.9
IDLMODERATE
3.6
TEMODERATE
3.5
OLLOW
3.3
DBLOW
2.8
Coaching & Scheme
Head CoachMike McCarthy
OC
Mike McCarthyNew
DC
Patrick GrahamNew
West CoastHigh conf
Route concepts, timing, balanced personnel
Source: empirical
Cover 3 ZoneHigh conf
Single-high, zone coverage
Source: empirical
2026 Draft Capital
Rd 1
#21
Rd 2
#53
Rd 3
#85
Rd 3
#99
Rd 4
#121
Rd 4
#135
Rd 5
#161
Rd 6
#216
Rd 7
#237
Key Roster Moves
ADDED18
WRMichael PittmanIND$17.5M
DBJamel DeanTB$12.3M
RBRico DowdleCAR$6.1M
SAFJaquan BriskerCHI$5.5M
DTSebastian Joseph-DayTEN$5.5M
LOST29
WRCalvin Austin III→ NYG
OLBDeMarvin Leal→ NYG
TEConnor Heyward→ LV
RBKenneth Gainwell→ TB
GIsaac Seumalo→ ARI
Roster Traits & Gaps
Arm Talent
01.00 gap
Decision Making
31.30 gap
Scheme weight: 1.4× (critical)
Mobility & Playmaking
250.34 gap
Scheme weight: 0.7×
Pocket Presence
240.59 gap
Scheme weight: 1.2×
Production Volume
00.90 gap
Scheme weight: 0.9×
QB
Roster Overview1
Mason RudolphAGE1YR
56
Key Concerns
▸Quarterback Mason Rudolph has zero arm talent and minimal decision making ability in a timing-based West Coast offense
▸Linebacker coverage skills at 19th percentile create a large liability in Graham's Cover 3 Zone system
▸Multiple key contributors including Highsmith, Queen, Harrison, Brisker, Porter Jr., Elliott, and Ramsey all have expiring contracts after 2026
▸Run stuffing from the interior defensive line grades at just 36th percentile despite Graham's scheme requiring gap control
▸Wide receiver route running at 47th percentile doesn't match the precision demands of McCarthy's West Coast system
Top Prospect Fits · 15 shown