Why the Steelers Must Prioritize the Secondary Over a Quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft

Another week, another 400 yards of total offense surrendered by the Pittsburgh Steelers defense.

Since the offseason, one of the primary concerns for the team has been the secondary—a concern that has materialized in troubling fashion over the past two weeks. This is despite the organization making significant efforts to revamp the unit, including trading away All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and parting ways with cornerback Donte Jackson, who led the team in interceptions last season. In their place, the Steelers brought in a seemingly more aggressive and talented platoon featuring Pro Bowl defensive back Jalen Ramsey and Super Bowl champion Darius Slay Jr.

Yet despite these moves, one could argue that the current group of defensive backs is performing worse than last year’s. Does coaching and scheming play a role in their recent struggles? Absolutely. But what must also be acknowledged is a clear deficit in talent across the secondary—one that opposing teams are exploiting with ease.

Now, as we approach the halfway point of the season, the question becomes: can the Steelers fix this issue in time? The honest answer is no. The organization has failed to adequately draft, coach, and develop a secondary capable of competing with elite offenses. This isn’t a problem that can be solved with better play-calling or minor adjustments. What the team likely needs is a full-scale overhaul of the secondary—starting with the 2026 NFL Draft.

The good news for the Steelers is that the potential crop of defensive backs looks promising; the type of promise that could make an immediate impact to their defense. Here is sample of what may be in store next year:

🛡️ 2026 NFL Draft Defensive Back Prospects

Position	Player	College
Safety	Caleb Downs	Ohio State
Cornerback	Malik Muhammad	Texas
Safety	Kamari Ramsey	USC
Cornerback	Mansoor Delane	LSU
Safety	Rod Moore	Michigan
Cornerback	Avieon Terrell	Clemson
Safety	Dillon Thieneman	Oregon
Cornerback	Jermod McCoy	Tennessee
Safety	A.J. Haulcy	LSU
Cornerback	D'Angelo Ponds	Indiana
Safety	Michael Taaffe	Texas
Cornerback	A.J. Harris	Penn State

While many believe the Steelers have no realistic shot at landing Downs, if the season continues on its current trajectory, they may be closer to securing him than you think. That possibility aside, the upcoming draft class features a diverse group of defensive backs—varying in size, skill set, and versatility—all of whom appear capable of making an immediate impact at the next level. For a team like the Steelers, who are in desperate need of reinforcements in the secondary, that’s a lifeline they can’t afford to ignore. Whether they decide to get one or more of them, they really need to go the extra mile to remedy this ongoing problem.

Although fans may be clamoring for a new quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft, the harsh reality is that Pittsburgh might not have the luxury of postponing a rebuild of their defensive backfield.

Fixing the secondary isn’t just a strategic option—it’s an urgent necessity. If the Steelers hope to remain competitive in the AFC North and beyond, they must address their defensive shortcomings before turning their attention to who’s under center.