#Steelers I Expect To Take A Leap In 2026-27:
- Payton Wilson, LB
- Darnell Washington/Pat Friermuth, TE
- Jack Sawyer, OLB
- Yahya Black, DT
- Jalen Ramsey, S
The #Steelers 2026 Draft Pro Comps:
Max Iheanachor —> Ikem Ekwonu
Germie Bernard —> Deebo Samuel
Drew Allar —> Joe Flacco
Daylen Everette —> Charvarius Ward
Gennings Dunker —> Mason McCormick
Kaden Wetjen —> Malik Washington
Gabe Rubio --> Isiah Loudermilk
Robert Spears-Jennings --> Keanu Neal
Eli Heidenreich --> Danny Woodhead
Post NFL Draft #Steelers Take-Aways:
- The Steelers projected QB Room features potentially Aaron Rodgers, Will Howard, Mason Rudolph, and now Drew Allar. If Rodgers returns, could we see Mason Rudolph be either traded or released?
- Eli Heidenreich vs Kaleb Johnson for RB3 is something to watch, and if it ends up in Heidenreich's favor, what happens with the former 3rd rounder Kaleb Johnson?
- The receiver room still lacks depth outside of DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman, and now Germie Bernard. Roman Wilson still has the chance to carve out a role in Mike McCarthys offense but it's still concerning moving forward...
- Much like receiver, the linebacker position remains thin with a room featuring only Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, and Malik Harrison. This was the one area of need Pittsburgh failed to address over the last three days...
- I love the outlook for Pittsburgh's O-Line, there is plenty of depth up and down the line with a lot of versatility, I'm really intrigued on how this will all shape out.
My Take on the #Steelers Draft Class:
“Upside” is the key word for nearly all of Pittsburghs picks...
- Max Iheanachor: Round One shocked a lot of people, myself included, but Max has all of the tools to become the teams next franchise tackle for years to come with the proper development, his ceiling is one of the highest, if not the highest, of all the tackles in this years class.
- Germie Bernard: This was my favorite pick out of the entire draft class, Bernard is a smooth route runner, and a great separator who fits Pittsburgh’s offense perfectly as such a versatile weapon. He's a dependable target who can work all three levels. This was a homerun pick in my eyes.
- Drew Allar: The reaction to the Steelers selecting Drew Allar has been mixed, some fans excited about his upside and others questioning the pick altogether. Allar looks the part with prototypical size and an effortless arm that can make any throw on the field, and when you watch him, it’s easy to get excited about the talent. He can drive the ball into tight windows and push it downfield, while generally taking care of the football. But the concerns are real—his footwork, processing, and inconsistency in big moments have held him back. He has high-end tools, but he still needs a lot of development.
- Daylen Everette: Everette brings size, athleticism, and a knack for being around the ball, which fits what Pittsburgh looks for in their secondary. However, there are still concerns about his coverage technique and overall feel for the position, and some believe he hasn’t fully lived up to his potential yet. The good news is he won’t be forced to start right away, giving him time to develop. It’s a decent pick with once again, "upside".
- Gennings Dunker: I'd expect him to move inside to guard, where his strength and mauling run-blocking style are a much better fit. Dunker thrives in power schemes and brings the kind of toughness Pittsburgh values, especially alongside players like Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick. There are still concerns about his stiffness and ability to play in space, which could limit him early on. He may not be an immediate starter, but he provides solid depth with starting upside. This was the right pick.
- Kaden Wetjen: He's one of the most electric returners in the class, expected to step in right away as the team’s primary return man and should give a big boost to a struggling special teams unit. Wetjen has elite speed and playmaking ability in space, but his impact on offense is very limited, which raised a lot of concerns about taking him this early. While he clearly fills a need, the value doesn’t match the pick. He's a fun prospect, but one that Pittsburgh could've gotten much later.
- Riley Nowakowski: I'm really happy Pittsburgh made this pick, a physical, blue-collar player who fits exactly what they want to do offensively. His blocking stands out right away, he plays tough, finishes reps, and can hold up both in the run game and in pass protection. He’s well-built and reliable, making him a natural fit for a fullback/H-back role. He also showed he can contribute as a receiver, putting up solid production during Indiana’s championship run.
- Gabe Rubio: This pick was the most baffling of all, not for the fact nobody has heard of him, but the fact Rubio has played at Notre Dame for four seasons, his first three he battled injuries and wasn't even a starter, Notre Dame flipped him to the offensive line in 2025, but once again he went down with a season ending injury five games into the year. He claims to be 100% healthy now, but nonetheless this is a really bad pick until proven otherwise, especially with someone like Herold Perkins still on the board at 210 who fits one of Pittsburghs remaining needs at linebacker.
- Robert Spears-Jennings: I will never complain about taking a late-round swing on athletic upside. Spears-Jennings brings elite speed and solid size for the position, along with strong tackling production, but he’s still raw and hasn’t shown much ball production. Like most players taken this late, his path to making the roster will likely come through special teams, where his speed and physicality can stand out right away.
- Eli Heidenreich: This was the most electric pick the Steelers could've wrapped up their draft with. Eli Heidenreich is a versatile and highly productive playmaker with real upside in the NFL. He brings the ability to play all over, whether it's in the backfield, in the slot at receiver, or even fullback. He did just that at Navy and was extremely productive, proving he can carry an offense in different ways. While he may start out as a gadget player and special teams contributor, his athleticism and versatility give him a real chance to carve out a role in the future. For a seventh-round pick, this is exactly the kind of high-upside flyer teams look for, and I believe he will stick on this roster.
Grading The #Steelers 2026 Draft Picks:
• Max Iheanachor (B+)
• Germie Bernard (A+)
• Drew Allar (B-)
• Daylen Everette (C+)
• Gennings Dunker (B+)
• Kaden Wetjen (C+)
• Riley Nowakowski (A)
• Gabriel Rubio (F)
• Robert Spears-Jones (B-)
• Eli Heidenreich (B+)
REPORT:
The #Steelers have signed Arizona State TE Chamon Metayer to an UDFA deal
Last season Chamon posted 375 yards receiving on 38 catches for 4 touchdowns
REPORT:
The #Steelers have signed Kansas K Laith Marjan to an UDFA Deal
REPORT:
The #Steelers are signing Syracuse DT Kevin Jobity Jr. to an UDFA Deal
At 6’4”, 300 lbs, Jobity brings size and production to the interior, totaling 83 career tackles, 20 TFLs, and 10 sacks.
In 2025, he recorded 30 tackles, 6 TFLs, and 5 sacks in just 10 starts.
REPORT:
The #Steelers are signing USC TE Lake McRee to an UDFA Deal
McRee profiles more as a big slot option than a traditional in-line tight end. While his run blocking is a limitation, he brings value as a reliable pass catcher with strong hands and spatial awareness.
REPORT:
The #Steelers are signing Former NC State and Indiana DB Devan Boykin UDFA Deal
Boykin Had The Highest Run Defense Grade Last Season in all of College Football at 93.2 per PFF
He was also the 3rd highest rated safety overall in 2025.
REPORT:
#Steelers HC Mike McCarthy views newly drafted Eli Heidenreich as a "four-down player" who will be used at multiple positions
McCarthy stated that he plans to open the playbook for the Navy product.
Ranking #Steelers 2026 Draft Picks:
1.) Germie Bernard, WR Alabama
2.) Max Iheanachor, OT Arizona State
3.) Gennings Dunker, OG Iowa
4.) Eli Heidenreich, RB/WR Navy
5.) Drew Allar, QB Penn State
6.) Riley Nowakowski, TE Indiana
7.) Daylen Everette, CB Georgia
8.) Kaden Wetjen, WR/KR Iowa
9.) Robert Spears-Jennings, S Oklahoma
10.) Gabriel Rubio, DT Notre Dame
#Steelers Eli Heidenreich is going to be so much fun in Pittsburgh
He can play RB, FB, slot WR, and contribute on special teams. He’s got great hands, is extremely athletic, and has great vision in the open field
Fans should be stoked about this pick