The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for what could be one final ride for several aging players. Aaron Rodgers already declared 2026 to be his final NFL season, as the veteran quarterback will turn 43 in December, while a 37-year-old Cameron Heyward could hang up his cleats after the 2026 season.
Whether things go south this year or Pittsburgh avoids a ten-year drought without a playoff win, Steelers fans want to know that the team is in good hands. And with a young group of building blocks, they should be.
Ahead of the 2026 season, I've ranked the top-10 assets on the Pittsburgh Steelers' roster, based on youth, performance, positional value, and future projections.
Top-10 most valuable Pittsburgh Steelers roster assets ahead of the 2026 season
10. Keeanu Benton, defensive tackle
The No. 10 spot on my list might be controversial, considering he is entering a contract year. Thus, I'm banking on the Steelers getting an extension done with Keeanu Benton before he walks away during the 2027 free agency period.
Admittedly, Benton has yet to put it all together, but the flashes are there. The talented defensive tackle had his most productive season in 2025, and new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham could finally unlock his ability in 2026. Benton plays a valuable interior defender position, where it's hard to find good talent around the league.
9. Max Iheanachor, offensive tackle
This might get some pushback, as Max Iheanachor has yet to play an NFL snap. But when it comes to a list of the top-10 most valuable Steelers assets, it's hard not to include their 2026 first-round pick. Iheanachor has outstanding potential, thanks to his size, length, and feet.
It could take a few years before he makes significant strides, but he could quickly climb this list with a strong rookie campaign.
8. Darnell Washington, tight end
You won't see many rankings from other teams list their 'backup' tight end as a top-ten roster asset, but Washington isn't your typical time-share TE. At 6'7'' and over 300 pounds, Washington is one-of-one in the NFL in terms of size. He combines this with soft hands and remarkable ability as a blocker.
Washington recently earned a four-year, $42 million contract extension, so we can expect that he will be with the Steelers at least through 2023. His projected longevity in Pittsburgh and talent back up his No. 8 spot on this list.
7. Mason McCormick, guard
Some fans might argue that Mason McCormick is too high on the list or that he shouldn't be considered a top-10 Steelers roster asset at all at this point in time, but I tend to disagree. While fellow 2024 draft picks and offensive linemen Zach Frazier and Troy Fautanu get all the love from the fanbase, McCormick has been quietly keeping stride with his peers who were drafted much higher.
The former South Dakota State Jackrabbit successfully made the transition to NFL competition, and the arrow is pointing up. The Steelers may have found a Day 3 gem here, and McCormick's frame and athletic profile are among the best in the NFL at the guard position.
6. Derrick Harmon, defensive tackle
Derrick Harmon needs to prove that he can play football without spraining his MCL every few games. Assuming he can avoid the injury bug, he's an easy lock for this list. Harmon has prototype size and athletic traits for an NFL defensive tackle, and he's only scratching the surface of his potential.
While the Steelers' defensive line struggled as a unit in 2025, the splits were much better when Harmon was on the field. We will want to pump the brakes for now, but if all goes well, Harmon could be next in line of a long list of talented Steelers defensive linemen.
5. DK Metcalf, wide receiver
As the oldest player on the list, I contemplated removing DK Metcalf entirely. The veteran receiver is on a bad contract, and underperformed in his first season in Pittsburgh in 2025. But at the end of the day, Metcalf still holds value, thanks to playing arguably the second most important position in football.
At 28, Metcalf is hardly old, and he should still have several peak seasons ahead of him at wide receiver. The two-time Pro Bowler still has imposing size and speed and could be better over the next few seasons with Mike McCarthy calling the offense. Metcalf won't last as long in Pittsburgh as most of the players on this list, but his impact over the next season or two might be bigger than any of the team's top roster assets.
4. Troy Fautanu, offensive tackle
Troy Fautanu may always have some limitations to his game. At 6'3 3/4'' and 317 pounds, the 2024 first-round pick is undersized for an offensive tackle, and he struggles to anchor against power at times. However, the Washington product has exceptionally quick feet and sound mechanics, which raise his floor.
The switch to left tackle—where he played in college—should be good for his skill set and career trajectory. Given the nature of the left tackle position and the fact that he's only entering Year 3, Fautanu is a top-five asset on the team.
3. Joey Porter Jr., cornerback
When it comes to the final three names on the list, Steelers fans can make a case to order them in any which way. I chose to slot Joey Porter Jr. at No. 3. Porter is coming off a phenomenal 2025 season in which he showcased lockdown man coverage ability and was one of the most efficient cornerbacks in the league on a per-snap basis.
Unfortunately, cornerback is a fickle position, and even the best in the business have a hard time playing at a high level consistently from game to game, week to week, and even year to year. Porter will have ups and downs, but he's still a valuable roster asset to the Steelers.
2. Zach Frazier, center
Zach Fraizer doesn't get the advantage of getting a boost on this by playing one of the most important positions in football. While the Steelers have longed for a franchise center since Maurkice Pouncey's retirement, centers, typically, are easier to find than money-five positions like quarterback, wide receiver, edge rusher, offensive tackle, and defensive tackle.
Regardless, Frazier is just so darn good at his job that it's hard to have him any lower than No. 2 on the list of the Steelers' best roster assets entering 2026. His contract extension will be priority No. 1 for Pittsburgh next offseason, and he has the makings of a decade-long starter in Pittsburgh with All-Pro potential.
1. Nick Herbig, edge rusher
The No. 1 Steelers asset on my list is the team's newest $100-million man: Nick Herbig. While Herbig is yet to assume a role as a full-time starter, he's been remarkable on a play-by-play basis—wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks.
Herbig is coming off a career campaign, and he won't even turn 25 years old until late November. The 2023 fourth-round pick also happens to play a top-three most valuable position in football. Nobody is going to replace a prime T.J. Watt for the Steelers, but this team will be in good hands with Herbig. The young edge rusher could cement himself as one of the best pass rushers in the league over the next two seasons.
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