Now we’re firmly in playoff territory.
Picks 21 through 24 belong to teams that either made a brief appearance in January or believe they’re one move away from doing so. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Jacksonville Jaguars (whose selection has been traded to the Cleveland Browns) all enter draft weekend with legitimate aspirations — but also identifiable areas that could derail those ambitions.
This isn’t about overhauling a roster.
It’s about refinement.
For some, that means adding a final defensive piece to survive elite quarterbacks in the postseason. For others, it’s about protecting a franchise passer, strengthening depth in the trenches, or preparing for looming contract extensions that could reshape the roster in 2027 and beyond.
The pressure here is different from that at the top of the board. These teams can’t afford developmental luxury picks. They need contributors. Snap-eaters. Playoff-caliber depth.
And because Jacksonville’s pick now belongs to Cleveland, the ripple effects extend beyond one franchise. A win-now team selecting here changes how the back half of Round 1 unfolds.
In this batch, we break down:
- The biggest roster holes for each franchise
- Contract situations and future cap implications
- Which positions should be prioritized for veterans and rookies
- Potential fantasy football implications
These are the teams that believe they’re close — and in this part of the draft, the right selection can be the difference between another early exit and a deep postseason run.
Up next: the Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Jacksonville Jaguars (pick traded to Cleveland).
Salary cap contract information provided by Spotrac.
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- NFL Team Needs: Raiders, Jets, Cardinals, Titans (2026)
- NFL Team Needs: Giants, Browns, Commanders, Saints (2026)
- NFL Team Needs: Chiefs, Bengals, Dolphins, Cowboys (2026)
- NFL Team Needs: Falcons, Ravens, Buccaneers, Colts (2026)
- NFL Team Needs: Lions, Vikings, Panthers, Packers (2026)
Pick 21: Pittsburgh Steelers
2026 Free Agents:
- QB: Aaron Rodgers, Skylar Thompson
- RB: Kenneth Gainwell
- WR: Scotty Miller, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Calvin Austin
- TE: Donald Parham, Connor Heyward
- OL: G Isaac Seumalo, RT Andrus Peat, G Max Scharping, C Ryan McCollum (RFA)
- EDGE: Jeremiah Moon (RFA)
- DL: Daniel Ekuale, Dean Lowry, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Esezi Otomewo (RFA), Jacob Slade (ERFA)
- LB: Cole Holcomb
- CB: Asante Samuel Jr., James Pierre
- S: Kyle Dugger, Miles Killebrew, Chuck Clark, Jabrill Peppers
- ST: Corliss Waitman (RFA)
2027 Free Agents:
- QB: Mason Rudolph
- RB: Lew Nichols III (ERFA)
- WR: Ben Skowronek, A.T. Perry (RFA), Brandon Smith (ERFA), John Rhys Plumlee (ERFA), Cole Burgess (ERFA)
- TE: Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington, Dylan Cook (RFA), J.J. Galbreath (ERFA)
- OL: LT Broderick Jones (CLUB), LT Calvin Anderson, G Sataoa Laumea (ERFA), G Spencer Anderson, LT Lorenzo Thompson (ERFA), LT Doug Nester (ERFA), G Steven Jones (ERFA)
- EDGE: Nick Herbig, K.J. Henry (RFA), Julius Welschof (ERFA)
- DL: Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Anthony Goodlow (ERFA), Jahvaree Ritzie (ERFA), Kyler Baugh (ERFA)
- LB: Patrick Queen, Malik Harrison
- CB: Brandin Echols, Joey Porter Jr., D’Shawn Jamison (ERFA), Cory Trice Jr., Daequan Hardy (ERFA)
- S: Sebastian Castro (ERFA), Doneiko Slaughter (ERFA), Jack Henderson (ERFA), Max Hurleman (ERFA)
- ST: Chris Boswell, Christian Kuntz, Cal Adomitis
Team Needs: QB, WR, OG, OT, S, CB, DT, LB, RB
Mike McCarthy is in as the new HC of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Part of his new staff includes the former Commanders DC as assistant HC, Brian Angelichio as the new OC (from the Vikings), and Patrick Graham as the new defensive coordinator (former Raiders DC).
They also hired the former Bills and Indiana WR coach Adam Henry.
Omar Cooper Jr. to the Steelers as a nice ring to it…
Pittsburgh also has the former Falcons’ pass-game specialist on their staff.
Kenneth Gainwell might be paid next year by either Pittsburgh or another team. The dual-threat RB is not even 27 years old, and he THRIVED as both a rusher/receiver in 2025.
He was fifth in rushing success rate, RB20 in fantasy PPG, and averaged more PPG than both Seahawks RBs and Broncos’ rookie RB, RJ Harvey.
Gainwell totaled 73 catches for 486 yards on 85 targets with eight TDs. Over 1,000 yards from scrimmage. 16% target share (top 5).
As a former member of the Kenny G RB1 fan club from his Memphis and Eagles days, I was loving what I saw from Gainwell this past season. Could see him reuniting with several former Eagles coaches, such as Kellen Moore, if he departs in free agency.
Also means that Pittsburgh might need to replace him if they cannot bring him back (although Omar Khan wants to).
Jaylen Warren remains a super-efficient RB, but he’s not a traditional bell cow.
Kaleb Johnson was a total zero as a rookie, so it remains to be seen how the new coaching staff will view last year’s third-round pick. At least he seems to be in the current GM’s corner.
Johnson is hardly the first rookie RB with decent draft capital to implode as a rookie just to build his value in Year 2. Think Tank Bigsby, Blake Corum, etc.
Because there is fantasy juice to squeeze in an Aaron Rodgers‘ RB backfield with how often he throws to RBs. The Steelers’ offense produced two top-20 RBs in 2025 (16 and 20).
I think Aaron Jones makes a ton of sense if he is released by the Vikings and signs with Pittsburgh.
And yes, I am very much under the impression that A-Rod will be back for at least one more year, with Will Howard being the young QB behind him on the depth chart, they want to develop. However, it doesn’t mean he is the QB1 of the future.
Other than finding a long-term QB, WR is definitely the biggest need. The team has nobody behind DK Metcalf. They were shopping for WRs at last year’s trade deadline, and will likely be very proactive in that market again in 2026 – both in the draft and NFL Free Agency.
Omar Khan is a fan of Roman Wilson, but he still might not be the answer the Steelers need as their No. 2 WR.
The new OC coming also further emphasizes the need for multiple WRs, given Arthur Smith’s offense heavily deploys multiple TE sets.
Tight end Jonnu Smith is expected to be released and/or to see a sizeable reduced role.
On the offensive line, starting LG Isaac Seumalo is a free agent. His two backups are also FAs. Spencer Anderson is a depth guard they could start, but he is an FA in 2027.
OT Broderick Jones‘ injury complicates things on the offensive line, given the complexity of the injury. OT Dylan Cook did show some promise in limited time last season. In five starts, Cook graded out as PFF’s 21st-ranked tackle.
On defense, they need to fill holes at CB and safety based on their free agent crop.
CBs Joey Porter Jr. and Brandin Echols are entering contract years.
The Steelers’ secondary was shredded at times last season (4th-most passing yards allowed per game). Also, third in total missed tackles (yes, you, linebacker Patrick Queen).
And obviously, filling the potential void by DT Cameron Heyward always needs to be at the back of the Steelers’ mind. Heyward is in the last year of his deal at age 37. Keeanu Benton is also an impending FA in 2027.
LB Nick Herbig is expected to re-sign a long-term deal.
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