Pittsburgh linebacker Kyle Louis runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 26. The Associated Press

The following is the second of seven Pittsburgh Steelers position-by-position analyses for the 2026 NFL Draft, which begins Thursday, April 23 in Pittsburgh:

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS

Current roster: T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer, KJ Henry, Julius Welschof

Last five drafts: Quincy Roche (2021, sixth round) never made it with the Steelers but played 17 games with the New York Giants. Herbig (2023, fourth round) has been impactful playing behind Watt and Highsmith the last three years, and Sawyer (2025, fourth round) produced some big moments during his rookie season.

Top outside linebackers (edge rushers) available: David Bailey, Texas Tech; Arvell Reese, Ohio State; Reuben Bain Jr., Miami; Akheem Mesidor, Miami; Zion Young, Missouri; Cashius Howell, Texas A&M; T.J. Parker, Clemson

PSU/Pitt/WVU players: Penn State’s Dani Dennis-Sutton could go in the second or third round as there are at least 10 other edge rushers rated above him.

Possible Steelers picks: Harold Perkins, LSU; Caden Curry, Ohio State; Max Llewellyn, Iowa

Analysis: The Steelers have some interesting dilemmas at outside linebacker. Watt (signed through 2028) is making a lot of money but is coming off a disappointing season by his standards. Highsmith — also with a big contract — is signed for two more seasons and played well when healthy last year. Herbig is in the final year of his contract, so the Steelers need to decide if he is their future replacement for Watt or Highsmith. They could trade Watt or Highsmith, get a good return and then pay Herbig. Most likely, they’ll try and hit it big in the middle rounds of the draft again and assess their options later. Going after another Big Ten OLB in the fourth round — such as Curry or Llewellyn — might not be a bad plan.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS

Current roster: Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, Malik Harrison, Carson Bruener

Last five drafts: Buddy Johnson (fourth round, 2021) played in only four games with the Steelers but is currently with the Indianapolis Colts. Mark Robinson (2022, seventh round) had raw talent but never really maximized it, seeing limited time in parts of four years with the Steelers. Wilson (2024, third round) has been up and down in two seasons and faces a big year in 2026.

Top inside linebackers available: Sonny Styles, Ohio State; CJ Allen, Georgia; Anthony Hill Jr., Texas; Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech; Josiah Trotter, Missouri

PSU/Pitt/WVU players: Pitt’s Kyle Louis could go in the second or third round. He could also end up being a safety.

Possible Steelers picks: Allen; Hill; Rodriguez; Louis; Jake Golday, Cincinnati; Jack Kelly, BYU

Analysis: Queen is in the final year of his contract and has been solid but not a superstar. With Wilson still not a sure bet to be a better-than-average NFL player and Holcomb always injured, inside linebacker — as always seems to be the case for the Steelers — will be a priority in the draft. Styles would be an ideal pick but is expected to be a top 10 selection. Someone from the next group — Allen, Hill and Rodriguez — might be available for the Steelers in the second round, or Louis or Golday could be there in the third round. With the Steelers having seven picks in the first four rounds, an inside linebacker should be one of them.

Coming Friday: Defensive line