A year ago, Steel City Insider’s Jim Wexell laid out the perfect plan for re-booting the current era of Steelers football: Follow Chuck Noll’s blueprint of drafting a defensive lineman in 2025 followed by a quarterback in 2026.
The Steelers followed the first part of the plan with Derrick Harmon, but then things went awry.
First, 2026 was expected to be a quarterback-rich draft – instead, the opposite happened. Second, Mike Tomlin resigned, ushering in the Mike McCarthy era and a new set of decision makers.
But does all of that mean the Steelers can skip defensive line in the 2026 NFL Draft?
This is the latest article in our Steelers 2026 Draft series.
Derrick Harmon and Keeanu Benton. Photo Credit: Steelers.com
Steelers Defensive Line Depth Chart Entering the 2026 NFL Draft – The Starters
The Steelers drafted Cam Heyward in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft and, when all is said and done, Heyward could end up being the best pick of the Kevin Colbert–Mike Tomlin era – no disrespect to T.J. Watt.
In 2025, at age 36 Cam Heyward returned for his 15th season and earned 2nd team All Pro honors further cementing what should be a Hall of Fame resume.
Cam Heyward sacks Joe Burrow. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review
Besides Cam Heyward, the Steelers have Keeanu Benton whom they drafted in the 2nd round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Benton won the starting nose tackle job that season and, had Nick Herbig not exploded on to the scene, could have won rookie of the year honors.
Since the Benton’s development has been uneven. At times he’s been very strong against the run. At others, he’s struggled. He’s proven to be an asset in the pass rush, having amassed 5.5 sacks in his second year.
Besides Benton, the Steelers have Derrick Harmon, whom they drafted in the 1st round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Injuries limited Harmon to 12 games and 8 starts, but his absence was noticeable and he looks like an ass-kicker in the making.
The Steelers Defensive Line Depth Chart Entering the 2026 NFL Draft – The Backups
Behind the three starters the Steelers have Yahya Black, Esezi Otomewo, Logan Lee and newly signed free agent Sebastian Joseph-Day. Black started three games and showed tremendous promise. Otomewo and Lee also offer upside, while Sebastian Joseph-Day gives the Steelers something they’ve needed in the form of a true nose tackle.
Kyler Baugh, Jahvaree Ritzie, KJ Henry and Anthony Goodlow round out the defensive line depth chart for the Steelers.
Steelers 2026 Draft Needs at Defensive Line
Defensive line presents the Steelers with one of the more interesting decisions they’ll have to make in the 2026 NFL Draft. And it some ways it may offer a glimpse into how Mike McCarthy and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham really see their roster.
The key here is Keeanu Benton.
His play at nose tackle has been uneven. At times he’s been a legit run-stuffer. At others he’s been moved with alarming ease. Outsiders have suggested that Benton isn’t a true nose tackle, and would be better suit out the outside. In fact, Jim Wexell asked Karl Dunbar about this last year after the Steelers drafted Black.
- Durbar confirmed that he saw Benton as a nose tackle.
The new coaching staff may feel differently, and if that’s the case, it lessens the urgency of finding someone to take Cam Heyward’s place, but it would also create a need to add either a starter or future starter at nose tackle in this year’s draft.
Bringing it altogether, The Steelers’ defensive line need in the 2026 NFL Draft grades out as Moderate.
