The city of Pittsburgh hosted the 2026 NFL Draft with smashing success, but the success of the Steelers’ draft has come with far more scrutiny. The instate rival Eagles may have pulled a fast one to swipe the Steelers’ first round target, Makai Lemon, but that’s small perogies when it comes to an entire draft class. Here I offer a brief scouting report for each selection, how they could fit into the Steelers’ plans, and my final thoughts on the draft class as a whole.
Round 1, Pick 21: Max Iheanachor, OT
Max Iheanachor moved to the United States from Nigeria at age 13 and was a high school basketball and soccer star. His football career did not start until he attended East Los Angeles College, where he played for two years before transferring to Arizona State, where he would start 31 games and be selected as Second-team All-Big 12 at right tackle.
At 6’5 7/8″, 321 pounds, and with 33 7/8″ arms, he has prototypical NFL size. He backs it up with rare speed and quickness, posting an impressive 4.91 40-yard dash at the combine. He possesses noteworthy foot and hand speed, which he attributes to his years of basketball and soccer. Although he is generally a raw product, I feel he is farther along than most and ready to enter the starting lineup.
Where exactly he fits into the starting lineup remains to be seen. Iheanachor’s native position of right tackle is manned by 2024 first-round pick, Troy Fautanu. A switch to the left side for Fautanu is possible, as he started 29 games there in college, but has settled into RT well in the NFL. Iheanachor’s youth and raw ability suggest he could also make the switch.
The coaching staff is excited to have Iheanachor and begin working with him. New offensive line coach James Campen has a good track record of developing offensive linemen, and now has a prized pupil with true, top-end offensive tackle talent.
Round 2, Pick 47: Germie Bernard, WR
In round 2, the Steelers traded up to secure the position they missed out on in round 1. Selecting Germie Bernard brings a natural inside receiver with some added energy, toughness, and football IQ.
As a former high school QB, he reads coverages well, giving him a good ability to find soft spots in zone coverage. He excelled on manufactured touches, showing running back-like ability with the ball in his hands. Perhaps his best trait as it relates to the Steelers is his toughness, with a fearlessness across the middle of the field and a willingness to block.
Of course, he will have to earn his spot on the field on Sundays, but it’s fair to project him as the WR3 in 11 personnel packages. This will give the eventual QB1 three legitimate receiving threats on the field at WR – something they have sorely missed for years.
Round 3, Pick 76: Drew Allar, QB
The Penn State product travels across the state, where Steelers fans have very mixed feelings on the former Nittany Lion. His underwhelming collegiate career is well documented, but it’s clear that the team believes that was a product of his alma mater, not of Drew Allar himself.
At the scouting combine, Omar Khan described pursuing an “AFC North quarterback,” and Allar fits the bill. At 6’5″, 228 pounds, and with almost 10″ hands, Allar is built the way the Steelers want. His arm talent can be off the charts, on rare occasions. The knock on Allar is his mechanics, specifically marrying his footwork with his upper body. It’s a correctable issue, most notably done by Josh Allen, but the success cases are few and far between.
Despite injuries, a poor supporting cast, and questionable coaching, Drew Allar continued to fight throughout his college career. A quality the Steelers brass no doubt valued. Their selection of him at the top of the third round shows they were willing to reach to get him. They really see something in him. Mike McCarthy was brought in as the Steelers head coach to scout and develop the QB of the future. Time will tell if Allar is that guy, but all signs point to this being McCarthy’s top project.
Round 3, Pick 85: Daylen Everette, CB
Although the Steelers addressed the cornerback position in free agency by signing Jamel Dean and bringing back Asante Samuel Jr., they felt the need to further strengthen the room by adding Daylen Everette out of Georgia. My pre-draft evaluation:
Everette has good size and durability, played in all 55 CFB games, with 41 straight starts. He plays press well on the outside, forcing receivers off their spot early, but lacks makeup speed and struggles to get his eyes back on the QB and/or ball. He arrives at the catch point with physicality in underneath coverage. In run defense, he has the correct mindset and discipline, but is inconsistent with breakdown tackling versus attacking high and dragging down. Inside/out flexibility makes him intriguing, but he likely lands as a reserve corner and special teams staple, with starting nickel upside.
It’s unclear exactly what Everette’s role will be with the Steelers, but with the depth at corner, I would expect for him to contribute on special teams and play defense in spot duty while he refines his game. He could be an eventual replacement for the 29-year-old Jamel Dean, but when evaluating, I viewed him as a nickel corner due to his physicality and the lack of long speed. With Patrick Graham’s acumen for fitting his scheme to the players available to him, I look for him to make good use of the reliable Georgia product.
Round 3, Pick 96: Gennings Dunker, OL
The compensatory pick that was awarded for Dan Moore’s departure last offseason was used to bolster the offensive line further. Aside from his infectious personality and masterful mane, Dunker brings toughness and good movement ability. His zone blocking experience at Iowa is a good fit for McCarthy’s inside zone run game, where he’ll be counted on often as he pencils into the Steelers at guard.
While not a powerful people mover, Dunker shields well and understands leverage to create avenues for backs. In pass protection, he can get knocked back on initial contact, but recovers well. With 37 starts at tackle in college, he’ll translate as a plus pass protector on the inside.
Steelers “sixth man” Spencer Anderson was viewed as the frontrunner to start at LG this season, but with the additions of Brock Hoffman through free agency and Dunker via draft, the LG waters are muddy. I expect open competition, which is a great thing for the Steelers’ line, which has become a strength, after being in reform for so many years.
Round 4, Pick 121: Kaden Wetjen, KR/PR
The Steelers continued their Iowa pipeline by drafting Kaden Wetjen, an All-American kick and punt return specialist, in the 4th round. A seemingly excessive reach, Wetjet can provide some stability at a longstanding hole in the Steelers roster.
As a 4th round pick, the 5’9″, 193-pound return specialist is almost a lock to make the final 53-man roster. He may get some manufactured plays on offense, but he doesn’t possess the size or route-running ability to create opportunities on his own. In the return game, he uses excellent field vision to set up defenders and blocks from afar, but lacks ideal wiggle to make players miss in short range. His 4.47 40-yard dash matches the game speed shown on tape. At the NFL level, he will not have elite big-play speed, but it will suffice in his limited role.
Round 5, Pick 169: Riley Nowakowski, TE
Prior to the draft, I wrote that the Steelers had to come away with a kick returner and TE3/FB. Both were addressed by the 5th round. Nowakowski is a strong, athletic tight end who flourishes in the dirty work but has the ability to contribute in the pass game. Some of my notes while evaluating Nowakowski:
- Strong build with thick upper body
- Lined up at TE & FB
- Sneaky good long range speed
- Hands catcher
- Comfortable as a receiver in all parts of the field
- Tough runner with underrated wiggle
- High IQ player, especially in run game
- Plays to the whistle, even when initially beaten
- Great at working to the 2nd level in run game
- + shielder, good footwork
Nowakowski is built for TE3, FB, and special teams work. I expect him to be on the field for all jumbo packages where he can contribute as a blocker and occasional receiver. He will also be a corps special teamer, with the ability to play all 4 phases.
Round 6, Pick 210: Gabriel Rubio, DL
As a non-combine invitee, Gabriel Rubio was not on my (or many others’) radar for the Steelers. Upon evaluating, I found a tough, personable project defensive lineman who looks and feels like a Steeler.
At 6’5″, 321-pounds, Gabriel Rubio has a tall and strong build with room to add even more strength. High effort player who wins with his hands. Is often beaten off the ball, losing ground immediately, but fights through to assist in the run game or create chaos in the backfield. Rotational depth piece who could be a solid contributor when his get-off is cleaned up.
Likely a practice squad candidate, but Rubio possesses good size, length, and work ethic, most likely stemming from his NFL bloodline, as his father played in the league. A characteristic the Steelers covet.
Round 7, Pick 224: Robert Spears-Jennings, S
After losing staple special teamers like Miles Killebrew and Connor Heyward, those ranks needed refilling. Robert Spears-Jennings fits that mold, with some potential contributions on defense with development.
Robert Spears-Jennings is a well-built athlete with high-level traits. At 6’1 7/8” and 205 pounds, he brings power to the table along with 4.32 speed and quicker hips than most his size. The speed doesn’t always show up on tape as he reacts rather than trusting his eyes and instincts. He has an affinity for contact and often meets ball carriers with high impact. His plus blitzing ability gives him added value near the line of scrimmage. He can contribute as a depth safety or core special teamer in the NFL.
Spears-Jennings has gunner written all over him. I believe he has an outside chance at making the final 53 if he can show himself well in training camp and preseason.
Round 7, Pick 230: Eli Heidenreich, RB
The Steelers and the city of Pittsburgh love a good story, none better than about one of their own. Drafting the hometown hero was just the beginning of the story, as Heidenreich has a real opportunity to contribute to the Steelers as a rookie.
A versatile playmaker, Heidenreich was used in a variety of ways at Navy, amassing 1,157 rushing and 1,994 receiving yards during his college career. The Steelers view him as a 4-down player, stating that they will have to “open up the playbook” to get him on the field on offense.
Heidenreich has drawn early comparisons to the Steelers’ 2025 team MVP, Kennegth Gainwell, as well as Ty Montgomery, a McCarthy product from his days in Green Bay. His ability to line up at RB or WR gives the offense immense flexibility. I look for the Navy man to not only make the team, but be a weekly contributor.
Final Thoughts
The Steelers draft largely played out how it should have. They shored up the offensive line with starters and projects, filled deeper needs at TE, kick return, and special teams, and found a suitable WR3, at long last.
Many have taken issue with the reaches, which is warranted, but this draft class was different. Midway through round 4, the talent pool fell off a cliff, in which case you go get the guys you are comfortable with. My post below illustrates how the draft class would have looked if it was in line with my values when evaluating the players:
The draft class as a whole is a solid one. They selected more players than they would have liked, but with 2027 picks being at an all-time premium, it was more difficult than usual to move off of 2026 picks. In the end, they resulted in a solid class with very high upside. This class puts the pressure back on the coaching staff. It’s on them to develop these trait-heavy, high-ceiling players. I believe Mike McCarthy and his staff are up to the task.
