ESPN predicts LSU safety AJ Haulcy’s landing spot in 2026 NFL Draft
As the 2026 NFL Draft draws closer, mock drafts have begun to expand, giving fans a better look at what their team might do on Day 2 — or, in this case, where college fans’ former stars might land at the next level.
LSU football is expected to have one marquee name taken in the first round: cornerback Mansoor Delane, who has been mocked to go anywhere from the fifth pick to the 12th. Beyond Delane, however, things begin to get uncertain. Safety A.J. Haulcy is expected to go in round two or three, but where exactly he lands between pick 33 and 96 remains a huge unknown.
ESPN gave Tiger fans an early prediction Thursday morning, however, putting together a three-round mock draft that included rotating selections from Mel Kiper Jr., Matt Miller, Jordan Reid and Field Yates.
Yates was the one to take Haulcy off the board, sending the former Tiger up north to Pittsburgh.
“Pittsburgh has long had room for physical safeties with plus ball skills,” Yates wrote. “Haulcy fits that bill with crunching strength and eight interceptions over the past two seasons.”
Mocking Haulcy to the Steelers is a bit of a curious choice. Pittsburgh already has a full safety room, featuring Jalen Ramsey, Deshon Elliot, Darnell Savage, and Jaquan Brisker at the top.
Elliot and Ramsey are both on multi-year deals, while Savage and Brisker are only under contract through 2026, so the room could look drastically different in 2027, potentially opening a spot for a second-year Haulcy to step into a starting role. However, considering the Steelers’ older roster and recent free agency moves, this doesn’t seem like the team that would be drafting for the future.
While this landing spot would likely relegate Haulcy to special teams duties as a rookie, he would have a strong veteran presence in Pittsburgh that could aid his development. It would be a bit disappointing if Tiger fans didn’t get to see much of Haulcy early in his pro career, but if it helps him become an impact starter in the long run, it would be a win.
