The Pittsburgh Steelers made a whopping three third-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, with quarterback Drew Allar and guard Gennings Dunker getting most of the attention from fans. It makes sense, with Allar's polarizing college career and Dunker's aesthetic as a mauling, mullet-wearing offensive lineman who may be able to see the field early in his career.
With the Steelers now through their first week of training camp, however, it's the less heralded Daylen Everette who seems to be stealing the show. According to Nick Farabaugh of PennLive, the young cornerback has been praised repeatedly by coaches for his play, including by his position coach Jason Simmons.
A quote from Steelers DPGC/DBs coach Jason Simmons about Daylen Everette:
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) August 1, 2026
"I think about humility.... you talk about [being] receptive to coaching? He absolutely is. He is a sponge. He’s a bright guy, and the next thing is his poise as well." https://t.co/1N5SJZjpd5 pic.twitter.com/ZYFz0xEWCN
His battles with DK Metcalf mentioned above are no accident, either, as the Steelers' No. 1 receiver has made it a point to mentor the young corner. Everette was somewhat of an afterthought heading into camp due to the signing of Pro-Bowl corner Jamel Dean and the return of Asante Samuel Jr. as depth this offseason. If Everette continues to impress, however, could he see the field sooner than anyone could have thought possible?
Rookie cornerback Daylen Everette is putting the rest of the Pittsburgh Steelers CBs on notice at training camp
The Steelers have struggled mightily in recent years to field a deep and talented secondary, but this year could be very different. Even before Everette started making a name for himself at camp, Pittsburgh boasted five starting-caliber cornerbacks (if you count Jalen Ramsey as a nickel corner).
With Everette now inserting himself firmly into the competition for a backup role behind Dean and No. 1 corner Joey Porter Jr., that could be six players whom the coaching staff feels comfortable seeing the field in 2026. That is a rare sight in the NFL with how difficult the position is to play nowadays.
Head coach Mike McCarthy said himself that the Georgia product "doesn't look like a rookie," according to The Athletic's Mike DeFabo. There aren't many things better to hear as a rookie than that.
Whether or not Everette ultimately sees the field much in 2026, his fast start in camp is a sign that the Steelers may have their future at cornerback secured for the first time in a very long time. It's felt like ages since the team wasn't just streaming aging veterans in at least one spot in the starting lineup with varying degrees of success. Even the 29-year-old Dean is a good bit younger than some of the guys they have brought in in recent years.
Assuming Porter Jr. signs an extension this offseason, the Steelers would be a young nickel defender away from having their corner room locked in for years to come if Everette makes good on his early promise.
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