Allen’s calling card is his run defense. He plays with outstanding football IQ and consistently sound gap discipline. It’s rare to see him out of position or abandoning his assignment. He’s at his best flowing downhill and initiating contact, rather than catching and absorbing blocks. Shedding blockers is not a major concern in his game, either. He routinely slips around or goes through them to create tackles for loss and disrupt plays in the backfield.

Coverage will be his steepest learning curve—particularly in man. In zone coverage, Allen is comfortable reading the quarterback’s eyes and reacting to route concepts in front of him. That allows him to anticipate throws and close quickly. His issues show up more in man coverage, where there’s some stiffness in his lower half. That tightness can leave him a split-second late out of his breaks, forcing him into recovery mode against more fluid, explosive athletes.

If Queen is moved, Allen profiles as an immediate replacement. He would slide right into the green‑dot role and project as a long-term defensive captain, setting the tone both on the field and in the locker room.

While many view his route running as a concern, much of that perception stems from how he was used at Georgia. His role was heavily tilted toward screens and quick-game concepts designed to get the ball in his hands and let him create. That part is accurate, but it undersells what he can do when asked to run a full route tree.

When Branch is given the freedom to work more nuanced routes, his jittery change-of-direction skills allow him to snap off breaks and create instant separation at the top of his stem. With an expanded route portfolio, he’ll show just how dangerous he can be.

Despite standing just 5-8, he’s surprisingly tough at the catch point. Branch is a natural hands catcher with excellent ball-tracking ability downfield. His knack for finishing through contact and making difficult catches in traffic is impressive given his size. He may be undersized, but he consistently plays bigger than his frame suggests.

With the one-two punch on the perimeter in place, Mike McCarthy’s penchant for three‑receiver sets makes the slot role all the more important. Branch is a stick of dynamite with the ball in his hands and an ideal complement to the bigger, jump‑ball threats on the outside. He gives this offense the true inside separator it’s currently missing.

He can win with both power and finesse, but he brings an old-school brawler’s mentality in the run game. The rep doesn’t end for him until his matchup is buried in the dirt. It starts with a quick first step that, combined with a powerful lower half, drives defenders out of their gaps. He’s also effective on combo blocks and climbing to the second level.

In pass protection, Rutledge is outstanding against powerful interior rushers. When he sinks his hips, his heavy anchor stops defenders in their tracks, and his active hands are constantly working to reset and maintain his grip.

The team can still explore interior offensive line upgrades in free agency, but if Rutledge is on the board, it should be a no-brainer. He projects as a stable, long-term solution who can help solidify an offensive line on the rise.

He’s not just a testing warrior, either. Halton’s quick in pads, and his pass-rush profile is built on his explosive first step. The instant he comes out of his stance, interior linemen are stressed and put on their heels as they scramble to recover. His overall rush plan is still coming along, but he’s an active hand fighter who works to swat away initial punches and stay clean.

At 6-2 and 293 pounds, Halton is a bit undersized, but he uses that lower center of gravity to his advantage against the run. He’s stronger than he looks and does a good job dropping his weight to hold the point of attack. His game against the run isn’t perfect due to his physical limitations, but he’s far from a liability. His non-stop motor and effort make him a constant headache for opposing linemen.

With Heyward back, the front line is stabilized for 2026. Adding Halton would give Pittsburgh a future option who can spend this season learning from a Steelers great while still making meaningful contributions of his own.

As a coverage defender, Kilgore is better off in zone. He’s highly instinctual, showing strong anticipation when reading the quarterback’s eyes and diagnosing route concepts. His background as a receiver gives him a better understanding of how to track and attack the ball in the air, making him more effective when contesting at the catch point.

Man coverage is a bit more challenging for him. There’s some stiffness in his change of direction, which makes him susceptible to sharp in‑breaking routes. He has exceptional straight‑line speed, but shiftier slot receivers can give him trouble.

He’s at his best when he’s triggering downhill in the run game. Like Elliott, he plays with an aggressive, no‑nonsense mindset and isn’t afraid to stick his nose into the trenches. At 210 pounds, he’s able to hold his own against bigger blockers. His tackling will need refinement to cut down on misses, but when he makes contact, it’s felt.

Kilgore would be the first step in preparing the defense for its future at safety, and he’s well equipped to make an immediate impact.

Corleone’s calling card at the next level will be his ability to eat up space. At 6’1″ with a naturally low center of gravity, he plays with excellent leverage. Pair that with exceptional lower-body strength, and you get an immovable object in the middle of the line. Corleone excels at absorbing and splitting double-teams, consistently resetting the line of scrimmage. He makes life easier for his teammates in the run game while also producing on his own.

His pass rush is still a work in progress. Although he shows a quick initial burst off the line for a man his size, his move set remains limited. He leans heavily on his bull rush and long-arm techniques, and when those are neutralized, he currently lacks the counters to continue affecting the play.

It’s not a flashy pick, but it’s a necessary one. The Steelers need a brick wall up front, and Corleone would help anchor that effort.

Green is a streaky passer who thrives when he’s in rhythm. When everything comes together, he shows a lively arm with impressive velocity, driving the ball into tight windows. He is wildly inconsistent, though. His lower-body mechanics frequently break down under pressure, and he often throws off his back foot, failing to properly set his base.

His feel in the pocket is another area that must improve. Despite being nearly 6’6”, he lacks the presence and subtlety to navigate muddy pockets. He’s more likely to drift backward when sensing pressure rather than stepping up and trusting his protection. There’s also a tendency to be fooled by post-snap coverage rotations, leading to errant throws that will need to be cleaned up.

Besides winning games, Mike McCarthy was hired for a primary reason: to find and develop the next franchise signal-caller. Green serves as the ultimate litmus test for the coach’s ability to develop talent, because there is no questioning the physical gifts. As a dart throw on Day Three, this is a risk worth taking.

Others Considered: Charles Demmings/CB/Stephen F. Austin, Oscar Delp/TE/Georgia, Keyron Crawford/EDGE/Auburn, Jaishawn Barham/LB/Michigan

Taylen Green Scouting Report

Round 5 (161st Overall): Jeff Caldwell/WR/Cincinnati

Expected Role: Rotational Depth/Developmental Prospect

Analysis: The Steelers have already bolstered their receiving room with Pittman, and adding Branch in this mock solidifies the top three. Still, the depth behind them is thin. That’s where Caldwell comes in as a developmental swing.