The 2026 NFL Draft is now complete, and the Pittsburgh Steelers put together an intriguing class of 10 players. While Pittsburgh addressed some of its biggest needs in the early rounds, the team used day three of the draft to take fliers on a few players. Making five picks in the final four rounds of the draft, the Steelers essentially selected a few lottery tickets: players they are hoping can beat the odds of a late-round pick and turn into something special.
If that happens, these players will put pressure on some veterans who might have thought their roster spots were secure. However, in the NFL, very few players have true security. With that in mind, let’s take a look at three of the Steelers’ late-round picks and the respective veterans they could push out.
3 intriguing camp battles to watch after dust settles on Pittsburgh Steelers draft
Kaden Wetjen could put pressure on Roman Wilson
Pittsburgh kicked off their third day of the draft by selecting wide receiver Kaden Wetjen in the fourth round. Wetjen, out of Iowa, is a 5-foot-9, 193-pound receiver. While his physical profile isn’t going to move the needle, he is a crafty player with the ball in his hands.
The Steelers need more production out of the receiver room, and that’s why they traded for Michael Pittman Jr. this offseason and drafted Germie Bernard in the second round. With DK Metcalf returning for his second season in Pittsburgh, those three will be the team’s top wideouts.
The team’s depth options still need to be figured out, though. If 2024 third-round pick Roman Wilson can’t take a leap, Kaden Wetjen could pass him up on the depth chart.
Eli Heidenreich could give Kaleb Johnson competition
The Steelers ended their 2026 draft by selecting running back Eli Heidenreich in the seventh round. While Heidenreich is a seventh-rounder, he was a productive rusher at Navy, carrying the ball 169 times for 1,157 yards and seven touchdowns. The impressive 6.8 yards per carry make him an interesting option for Pittsburgh.
The team already has Jaylen Warren and signed Rico Dowdle this offseason. With 2025 second-round pick Kaleb Johnson returning after an underwhelming rookie season, he could find himself in a battle for RB3 with Eli Heidenreich.
Robert Spears-Jennings could force Darnell Savage out
Pittsburgh‘s other seventh-round pick was safety Robert Spears-Jennings. While his clearest path to a roster spot, as a late-round safety, is by proving his value on special teams, Spears-Jennings could also establish himself as an important depth piece.
The Steelers currently have Jaquan Brisker and DeShon Elliott in line to start at the safety spots. One of the backups is Darnell Savage. The veteran defensive back spent time with three different teams last season, and he’s now with the Steelers. However, if Robert Spears-Jennings emerges as a defensive playmaker, Savage could be on the move again.
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