An eventful 2026 NFL Draft helped franchises improve their rosters. Extra assistance from rising prospects was available for teams willing to show interest. The Pittsburgh Steelers disguised their urgency, and in return, it limited the haul’s true potential. Still, there are a few celebration-worthy picks within Omar Khan’s newest rookie class.
Here are my grades for the Steelers’ 2026 NFL Draft.
The Pittsburgh Steelers questionable approach limited the 2026 Draft classes' potential
Pittsburgh Steelers Round 1 (21): Max Iheanachor, OT
Grade: C
The first-round pick is the crème de la crème. It is a franchise’s most valuable draft asset, and Omar Khan used it on an offensive tackle. Sure, Max Iheanachor is more athletic than most blindside protectors. He is agile, moves with coordinated feet, and wants to win every rep. But his football experience outside of Arizona State is worrisome, even if he held his own against top competition like David Bailey.
Investing in the offensive line is a safe move. It sounds even better knowing the chances of Will Howard or Drew Allar starting are increasing by the day. But the Steelers did not need to be that safe. They needed an offensive solution.
Omar Cooper Jr. and KC Concepcion were still on the board. Makai Lemon was on the phone until the Eagles swooped in. Hopefully, Iheanachor’s ceiling is as high as McCarthy and his staff believe it is. If not, this pick could be questioned sooner than later.
Pittsburgh Steelers Round 2 (47): Germie Bernard, WR
Grade: C+
Passing on a wideout in the first round made it hard for fans to sleep Friday night. Luckily, Pittsburgh’s front office responded. A trade with the Indianapolis Colts helped Khan move up six picks to rewrite the wrongs of the first round. It cost a fourth- and seventh-round selection, but it landed Germie Bernard.
The six-foot-two receiver led Alabama in receptions without being the offense’s primary focus. He is a versatile ball carrier who welcomes physicality. Pittsburgh paid a heavier price for a Day 2 prospect, but Bernard felt undervalued to begin with.
Bernard was scouted as a natural WR3 and could become the starting quarterback’s favorite target by the end of the season. This pick required work and received some backlash, but it was needed.
Pittsburgh Steelers Round 3 (78): Drew Allar, QB
Grade: B -
Quarterback purgatory has haunted the Steelers, and the front office has played a role in that reality. Without giving Aaron Rodgers a clear deadline, executives failed to establish a concrete plan. That has been evident all offseason and became more apparent when they doubled down with Drew Allar.
The former Nittany Lion was my favorite gunslinger in this class. His six-foot-five frame and cannon-like arm are hard to ignore. He is raw and still needs development, but the potential is real. However, drafting Allar was a bold move. It puts Will Howard’s starting spot in jeopardy and adds clarity to Rodgers’ ongoing situation. He will not become a star overnight, but he has a path to QB1.
Pittsburgh Steelers Round 3 (85): Daylen Everette, CB
Grade: B+
Protecting the end zone remains a priority. After adding veteran help earlier in the offseason, Pittsburgh continued that mission with Daylen Everette.
The former Georgia Bulldog stands at six-foot-one and earned third-team All-SEC honors. He has a natural feel for the football and led his team with 10 pass breakups in 2025. This was one of Pittsburgh’s best value picks, especially considering his Day 2 projection. We should see Patrick Graham incorporate his newest defensive back alongside Joey Porter Jr. and Jamel Dean throughout the campaign.
Pittsburgh Steelers Round 3 (99): Gennings Dunker, OT
Grade: B+
Retooling the offensive line is critical to Pittsburgh’s long-term success. Yes, they drafted Iheanachor in the first round, but a versatile insurance plan never hurts, especially when it comes in the form of Gennings Dunker.
The former Iowa Hawkeye is known for delivering punishment at the line of scrimmage. He brings solid athleticism and experience at guard, giving him valuable flexibility. With questions surrounding Broderick Jones and the vacancy left by Isaac Seumalo, Dunker is a smart addition. He has the ability to fill multiple roles effectively, making him a player worth watching.
Pittsburgh Steelers Round 4 (121): Kaden Wetjen, WR
Grade: C-
Versatility was a constant theme for Pittsburgh on Day 3, and it showed when the front office selected a true Swiss Army knife. Kaden Wetjen did a bit of everything at Iowa. He is a special teams standout with enough skill to make an impact on offense. In 2025, he averaged 26.8 yards per punt return and ranked second in kickoff return average at 29.8 yards, earning Big Ten Specialist of the Year honors.
The All-American projects as a multipurpose asset in McCarthy’s offense. He brings collegiate experience at both running back and receiver and has a knack for creating explosive plays. His 8.6 yards per catch is impressive and could help fill the void left by Kenny Gainwell’s absence.
Pittsburgh Steelers Round 5 (169): Riley Nowakowski, TE/FB
Grade: B+
Establishing the line of scrimmage was a quiet undertone of Pittsburgh’s draft. The selection of Riley Nowakowski served as the final proof. In previous seasons, the Steelers leaned on athletic tight ends to fill a fullback role in a heavy run scheme. It worked at times, but the results never felt fully maximized. Investing in an Indiana H-back was long overdue.
Nowakowski fits that description, but he brings more to the table. He is a disciplined lead blocker with strong timing and precise execution. The Third Team All-American plays through the whistle, finishing his assignment until the defender is out of the picture or the play is over. His toughness stands out, and his ball skills add another layer to his game. In 2025, Nowakowski totaled 387 yards, averaging 12.1 yards per reception.
Pittsburgh Steelers Round 6 (210): Gabe Rubio, DE
Grade: C -
Depth in the trenches helps a defense sustain dominance. Patrick Graham is tasked with restoring Pittsburgh’s feared reputation, and Gabe Rubio should play a role in that effort. The Notre Dame product stands six-foot-five and weighs 321 pounds, bringing a powerful presence to the defensive front.
Rubio plays with physicality and a clear determination to control the line of scrimmage while rallying to the football. He battles through blockers and shows a natural feel for locating ball carriers. It is easy to envision him learning from Derrick Harmon and Cameron Heyward, with the potential to earn meaningful reps as he develops.
Pittsburgh Steelers Round 7 (224): Robert Spears-Jennings, S
Grade: C+
Versatility defined this draft class, and Robert Spears-Jennings brings that element to Pittsburgh’s defense. The former Oklahoma Sooner has the size to be a factor in nickel packages and match up with streaky receivers. He is lightning quick, posting a 4.32 forty-yard dash and a 1.51 ten-yard split. He triggers downhill like a linebacker, tracking ball carriers and delivering real power on contact.
In 2025, Spears-Jennings appeared in all 13 games with 12 starts for Arkansas. He totaled 59 tackles and added a forced fumble, production that could translate into a growing role within an evolving defense.
Pittsburgh Steelers Round 7 (230): Eli Heidenreich, RB
Grade: C
Offensive weapons are always valuable, especially when they can produce from multiple alignments. Eli Heidenreich may not be a familiar name yet, but Steelers fans will learn it quickly. The Second Team All-American was a dynamic receiver at Navy, setting a single-season school record with 941 receiving yards in 2025. His soft hands make him reliable, and his 4.44 speed makes him a real threat.
Heidenreich’s skill set should help any quarterback move the chains efficiently. He presents a friendly target with big-play ability for an offense looking to turn things around.
The Steelers focused on filling roster holes instead of chasing top talent. The result was a surprising but efficient haul. Overall, I give Omar Khan a C- for this performance.
Most picks provide surface-level answers to deeper issues. At times, it felt like Pittsburgh was caught off guard. That is understandable with a new staff, but still not excusable. The Makai Lemon miss and the Germie Bernard gamble felt avoidable with better preparation. Still, the Steelers improved, even if only by a small margin.
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