The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2026 draft class included raw players at important positions—players who could help build the foundation of the roster from the studs up in the post-Mike Tomlin era. For some of these players, it may take years to reach their ceiling, while not all 10 draft picks are guaranteed to make the final 53-man roster.
But fans want to know which players can make the biggest impact for Pittsburgh right away.
This is fair, considering the Steelers went 10-7 last season and claimed the AFC North title. With a potential boost from the offense with head coach Mike McCarthy in town, perhaps a few of these rookies can contribute to a season that could finally yield postseason results.
If nothing else, the Steelers have some promising rookies who could inspire hope for the future while making their presence felt in their first NFL seasons. With the 2026 NFL Draft behind us, I took the liberty of ranking all 10 Pittsburgh Steelers draft picks based solely on their projected impact on the team in 2026, predicting the expected roles they could play on the field.
Ranking all 10 Pittsburgh Steelers draft picks based on projected 2026 impact
1. Max Iheanachor, OT
Despite being one of the rawest first-round picks in the 2026 draft class, Max Iheanachor's draft status alone indicates that he'll have a big role on the team as a rookie. With an injury setback to Broderick Jones, there's a visible path to playing time for the Arizona State product from Day 1. Iheanachor will be given every shot to make an impact right away.
2. Germie Bernard, WR
After trading up in the second round to secure Germie Bernard, the Steelers aren't about to make him ride the bench as a rookie. The Alabama product played for one of the best football programs in the nation and proved that he can run a full route tree and catch everything thrown his way. Bernard can even take carries from the backfield and pass the football when asked. He'll do the dirty work and should be on the field often in 11-personnel.
3. Gennings Dunker, G
It's not impossible that we see Gennings Dunker atop this list by the end of the season, but that would first require the Iowa standout to earn a starting role on the offensive line. Dunker was a right tackle for the Hawkeyes, but is expected to kick inside at guard. His biggest competition will be Brock Hoffman and Spencer Anderson. Dunker has the talent, and his third-round status should net him the opportunity to start early in his rookie season, possibly even by the Week 1 opener.
4. Kaden Wetjen, KR/PR
The Steelers took a lot of heat for drafting a return specialist in the fourth round, even though talented players were on the board who could carve out more snaps. There's no doubt that Kaden Wetjen makes the team, given the draft capital invested in him. Wetjen is also expected to be the primary kick and punt returner from the gate. If he can take a return or two to the house for scores, his impact for the 2026 season could climb even higher.
5. Daylen Everette, CB
Daylen Everette was the third player drafted by Pittsburgh this year, but he ranks only fifth on my list of Steelers rookies who could make the biggest impact. That's because it's harder to see a role for Everette in 2026 than the players above him on this list. Despite his experience at Georgia, Everette is still somewhat raw and needs to clean up his consistency. While Everette could earn a role early on as a special teams gunner or jammer, he might not see meaningful snaps on defense until late in his rookie season, barring injuries.
6. Riley Nowakowski, TE
Don't be surprised if Riley Nowakowski climbs higher on this list by the end of the year. While the Indiana tight end was deemed a reach pick against the consensus board in the fifth round, Nowakowski is experienced and well-rounded without many big flaws in his game. He can line up at tight end, H-back, or fullback for the Steelers and give Pittsburgh special teams snaps. Nowakowski is like a bigger Connor Heyward, and he could serve in a surprising role from early in his rookie season.
7. Robert Spears-Jennings, S
As a seventh-round draft choice, Robert Spears-Jennings needs to make the roster before we can worry about him getting a helmet on game days and carving out a role. If he does, however, it would likely be as a gunner and jammer on special teams, thanks to his 6'2'', 205-pound frame and 4.32 speed. This is the golden ticket for the Oklahoma safety to see the field as a rookie.
8. Eli Heidenreich, WR/RB
We all love Eli Heidenreich's story, and Mike McCarthy spoke highly of him following the NFL Draft. However, with a crowded running back room and a suddenly deep group of receivers, it's hard to find a home for the Navy standout. This could change with a strong summer. If Heidenreich does make the team, his role from the gate will be limited. It was hard enough for Kaleb Johnson, a third-round running back, to find snaps as a rookie last year.
9. Gabriel Rubio, DL
Considering the depth of the defensive line, there isn't a great chance Gabe Rubio makes the Steelers' final roster. The oft-injured Notre Dame product must prove he can stay healthy throughout the summer, and he'll need to showcase dominant run-stop ability during training camp to stick. Otherwise, he could begin his NFL career on the practice squad.
10. Drew Allar, QB
Placing Drew Allar 10th on this list might seem low, but it might take a string of injuries for the polarizing Penn State product to see the field. Allar has so much to work on, from his mechanics to his accuracy and ability to read the field. If Aaron Rodgers comes back, Allar will be buried on the depth chart. If he doesn't, he will likely still be behind Will Howard and Mason Rudolph during his rookie season.
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