Category Archives: Steelers 2026 Draft

Steelers 2026 Draft Class Emphasizes Offense and Versatility

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The 2026 NFL Draft is in the history books.

Record crowds came to Pittsburgh. We saw a veritable parade of Steelers Hall of Famers strut the stage, from Jerome Bettis, to Mel Blount, to Lynn Swann & John Stallworth to Hines Ward. Terry Bradshaw and Ben Roethlisberger embraced.

Omar Khan and Mike McCarthy selected 10 players to form the Steelers 2026 Draft Class. Khan traded up twice, traded down once, made one rather infamous phone call, and closed the draft with a hometown hero story that Barry Levinson couldn’t have scripted better. (Hum, could Levinson, a Baltimore native, have had a hand in scripting the Lemon trade….?)

Steelers 2026 draft picks Germie Bernard, Daylen Everette, Drew Allar and Gennings Dunker.

Germie Bernard, Daylen Everette, Drew Allar and Gennings Dunker. Photo Credit: Jared Wickerham, Steelers.com

Before we can unpack what it all means, let’s take a look at the newest members of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Steelers 2026 Draft Class at a Glance:

Round 1: Max Iheanachor, Offensive Tackle, Arizona State
Round 2: Germie Bernard, Wide Receiver, Alabama
Round 3: Drew Allar, Quarterback, Penn State
Round 3: Daylen Everette, Cornerback, Georgia
Round 3: Gennings Dunker, Guard, Iowa
Round 4: Kaden Wetjen, Return Specialist/WR, Iowa
Round 5: Riley Nowakowski, Fullback, Indiana
Round 6: Gabriel Rubio, Defensive End, Notre Dame
Round 7: Robert Spears-Jennings, Safety, Oklahoma
Round 7: Eli Heidenreich, Running Back-Wide Receiver, Navy

So what grade do Khan and McCarthy get for this draft?

Ask me in 5 years.

Seriously. Chuck Noll waited 5 years to judge draft classes, and if that was good enough for him, it is good enough for me. With that said the Steelers 2026 draft class has already given us a few early lessons.

The obvious one is that Khan and McCarthy leaned in heavily on offense. Given the JVness of the Steelers offenses in 2023, 2024 and 2025 that’s logical. But there are other, deeper lessons to be found.

Putting the Malik Lemon Draft-Day Miss in Historical Perspective

As everyone knows, Omar Khan was on the phone with Malik Lemon while Dallas was on the clock, only to have the Eagles trade up and draft Lemon, leaving the Steelers to scramble and draft Max Iheanachor instead.

The social media general managers in Steelers Nation pounced, torching Omar Khan for mishandling the situation.

Let’s put this phone call and the draft day “miss” with Malik Lemon into perspective…

…Once upon a time the NFL had an 800 pound gorilla that dominated the draft. This gorilla used the draft to transform a team that won 4 games in two seasons into a team that won 3 Super Bowls in 4 years with only 3-year ramp. The gorilla’s name was Jimmy Johnson

During the 1992 NFL Draft, Johnson sent an assistant coach, contract in hand, to Leon Searcy’s home. The idea was to draft Searcy, sign him and get him on a plane before the ink dried.

Alas Jimmy Johnson ran into a little problem.

Tom Donahoe and Bill Cowher drafted Leon Searcy before he could. This was long before the digital age, yet the story dominated draft coverage on Big 3, CNN and especially ESPN….

…Except it didn’t.

The world had to wait for Jim Wexell’s On the Clock to tell that story.

Leon Searcy was an excellent tackle and, in the Heinz Field era, likely would have been a life-long Steeler. But after missing out on Searcy, Jimmy Johnson traded down and drafted Kevin Smith.

Emmit Smith, Levon Kirkland, Greg Lloyd, Carnell Lake, Steelers vs Cowboys, Super Bowl XXX, Super Bowl 30

Levon Kirkland and Greg Lloyd tackle Emmitt Smith in Super Bowl XXX. Photo Credit: Steelers.com

Kevin Smith played 103 games for the Dallas Cowboys, started 93 of them, made 19 interceptions, forced 7 fumbles and made UPI’s 2nd team All-Conference squad in 1996. He retired with 3 Super Bowl rings, including one for the Cowboys win over the Steelers in Super Bowl XXX.

The moral of the story is this: Judge not by who you missed, but who you picked after pivoting.

Why Versatility Defines the Steelers 2026 Draft Class

“Versatile.” “We won’t know exactly how he fits until we see him work with the group as a whole.” In some form or fashion, we heard those words from the Steelers coaching staff throughout the 2026 NFL Draft.

  • Yet, many Steelers commentators acted as if that’s a bad thing.

This started with the Eagles swooping in to draft Malik Lemon, forcing the Steelers to go back to their board and draft Max Iheanachor instead. Judging by his non-verbal behavior, Mike McCarthy was: 1. Glad to get Ihenachor and 2: Had little idea of how he’d fit into the Steelers line up.

  • Let’s embrace the elephant in the room.

Watching a beaming head coach or general manager explain exactly how a first round pick fits into their system breeds confidence.

But let’s acknowledge the flip side: The NFL Draft is a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re going to get.

The point is that one of the worst things an NFL coaching staff can do is try to force players into a system that’s not suited for them. Bill Parcells drafted James Farrior as an outside linebacker where he was OK. Kevin Colbert brought him to Pittsburgh, Bill Cowher moved him inside, and he’s one of the best Steelers free agent signings ever.

By and large, forcing guys into systems they were unsuited for wasn’t a major issue during the Tomlin era.

But those who remember Joe Walton and Kevin Gilbride stints as offensive coordinator know just how caustic coaches trying to force square pegs into round holes can be.

Based on the post-draft press conferences, this won’t be an issue under Mike McCarthy.

The Draft = NFL’s Land of Hope and Dreams

It is fitting that the Steelers book-ended 2026 NFL Draft with Ben Roethlisberger and Terry Bradshaw hugging and drafting Mt. Lebanon native Eli Heidenreich because the draft is all about reconciling hopes with dreams.

Ben Roethlisberger and Terry Bradshaw hug at the 2026 NFL Draft.

Ben Roethlisberger and Terry Bradshaw hug at the 2026 NFL Draft. Photo Credit: Jared Wickerham, Steelers.com

It will be a while before we know how strong the Steelers 2026 Draft Class is. If 5 of the 10 newest Steelers “make it” as pro football players then that will make this draft an outstanding success.

Some guys won’t make the cut. Injuries will fell others. At least one will be a numbers game causality. That’s just the harsh reality of the NFL.

  • But let’s worry about that another day.

The NFL draft is a veritable “Land of Hopes and Dreams” (yes, that’s an intentional shout out to Springsteen.) Omar Khan and Mike McCarthy gave 10 men legitimate hope of realizing their NFL dream. Let’s let them enjoy that for a time, and as they continue to strive to be the best they can be.

And best of all? They’ll do it in Black and Gold.

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Welcome Home! Steelers Draft Eli Heidenreich in the 7th Round of the 2026 NFL Draft

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The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Eli Heidenreich, running back out of Navy, with their 2nd 7th-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

In drafting Eli Heidenreich, Omar Khan and Mike McCarthy addressed the bottom of the Steelers 2026 Draft Needs Matrix, but in many ways saved the draft’s best story for last.

Heidenreich is from Pittsburgh, the draft was held in Pittsburgh, and the Mt. Lebanon native got to hear his name called and walk across the stage in his hometown. It was an emotional moment that will long be remembered:

@steelers With the 230th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, we select RB/WR Eli Heidenreich. 📺: 2026 NFL Draft April 23-25 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC #steelers #nfldraft #eliheidenreich ♬ original sound – Pittsburgh Steelers


Hollywood couldn’t have scripted it better.

Eli Heidenreich carrying the ball for the Midshipman

Steelers 7th round pick and Pittsburgh native Eli Heidenreich carrying the ball for Navy. Photo Credit: navysports.com

Eli Heidenreich Scouting Report: Navy Running Back’s Profile and Traits

Eli Heidenreich was the 230th player taken in the 2026 NFL Draft. The odds of the 230th player making the final 53 man roster are long, to say the least.

But, as Steel City Insider’s Roy Countryman points out, this was anything but a sentimental pick on the part of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Coutnryman labeled him as his top running back value pick for the 7th round, and correctly predicted the Steelers would pick him.

What makes Heidenreich so dangerous is his athletic ability and work ethic, which gives him the ability to get the maximum out of his skill set. He is willing to do the dirty work necessary for his team to win, whether that is running the ball, catching passes from the slot, or laying a block, and he has some of the best pure football instincts of anyone in the class.

Matt C. Steel also liked Heidenreich as a 7th rounder and projects him as a third down back.

Eli Heidenreich Highlights: Breaking Down the Navy Running Back’s Film

To quote Countryman, Eli Heidenreich is so fascinating “because his toolkit is soooo unique.”

Eli Heidenreich’s versatility as a runner, receiver, and blocker stands out on film. Watch his Navy highlights below:

Key takeaways: You can see why Heidenreich projects as a versatile offensive weapon capable of contributing on third downs, special teams, and in hybrid running back and wide receiver roles.

Eli Heidenreich’s Path to Making the Steelers 53-Man Roster

While Eli Heidenreich stole the show at the draft, he must find a way to differentiate himself this summer at St. Vincents.

In the modern-day NFL team it is rare for a team to keep more than 3 running backs on this active roster. And the Steelers already drafted Riley Nowakowski and list him as a fullback alongside running backs Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle and Kaleb Johnson.

But in his closing press conference Mike McCarthy did talk about his appreciation for the 2-back offense, and with the Steelers still needing some depth at wide receiver Eli Heidenreich position flexibility as a wide receiver can only work in his favor.

Either way, he’s got a shot at playing for the Steelers. What more could a hometown kid ask for?

Welcome back home to Pittsburgh, Eli Heidenreich!

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Safety Next to Last: Steelers Draft Robert Spears-Jennings with 1st 7th-Round Pick in 2026

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The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Robert Spears-Jennings, a safety from Oklahoma, with their first 7th-round pick of the 2026 NFL Draft.

By drafting Spears-Jennings, Omar Khan and Mike McCarthy finally addressed safety, which was the top area on the Steelers 2026 Draft Needs Matrix. Like all 7th-round draft picks, shining on special teams will be Robert Spears-Jennings’ ticket to a roster spot.

Robert Spears-Jennings intercepting a pass for the Sooners.

Steelers 2026 7th round draft pick Robert Spears-Jennings intercepts a pass for the Sooners. Photo Credit: Sooners Scoop

But the Steelers see him as more than a special teams player, indicated by the fact that they sent out secondary coach Joe Whitt to discuss the pick with reporters.

And, in explaining the pick, Whitt implicitly conceded that safety was indeed a high-priority need for the Steelers, revealing “He has the skill set we were looking for earlier. We just addressed different needs.”

Yes, that certainly sounds the like an assistant coach who fought — and lost — a battle to take a safety earlier in the draft.

Robert Spears-Jennings Highlights: Oklahoma Safety Film Breakdown

Robert Spears-Jennings played for the Oklahoma Sooners for four years and appeared in 47 games. Per College Football Reference he made 147 tackles, registered 2.5 sacks and intercepted 2 passes.

Watch his highlights with the Oklahoma Sooners below:

Key takeaways: Spears-Jennings projects as a physical depth safety who can contribute immediately on special teams while developing into a rotational defensive back.

Robert Spears-Jennings’ Path to Making the Steelers 53-Man Roster

At first glance, Spears-Jennings has an easier path to making the 53 man roster than most 7th round picks given that the only safeties the Steelers have on the roster with NFL experience are DeShon Elliott and Jaquan Brisker with Jalen Ramsey working in as a “chess piece.”

That leaves 2025 undrafted rookie free agent Sebastian Castro and futures-signee Jack Henderson as Robert Spears-Jennings only real competition.

Of course, if the long-rumored Steelers signing of Darnell Savage becomes true, then Spears-Jennings’ chances of making the roster will become a lot harder.

But for now, welcome to Steelers Nation Robert Spears-Jennings.

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Steelers Draft Gabriel Rubio, DT of Notre Dame in 6th Round of 2026 NFL Draft

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The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Gabriel Rubio, defensive tackle out of Notre Dame in the 6th round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The move addressed defensive line, the 7th most urgent need on the Steelers 2026 Draft Needs Matrix and, for the first time in the 2026 draft, Omar Khan and Mike McCarthy shifted back towards Mike Tomlin’s long-standing emphasis of tapping into NFL bloodlines.

Steelers 2026 6th round draft pick Gabriel Rubio in action for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

Steelers 2026 6th round draft pick Gabriel Rubio in action for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. Photo Credit: AP, via the Tribune-Review

During the 1998 NFL Draft the Steelers drafted Gabriel’s father, Angel Rubio with their final pick. The elder Rubio however never played a down for the Steelers and his NFL career was limited to two appearances in 1999 with the Atlanta Falcons.

  • Rubio described his father’s reaction as “ecstatic.”

Rubio played some nose tackle for the Fighting Irish, but has experience playing at all of the interior positions on the defensive line, including playing the 4i technique, which is what Cam Heyward plays.

Steel City Insider’s Roy Countryman had Rubio rated on his undrafted rookie free agent value board.

Gabriel Rubio Highlights: Notre Dame DT Film Breakdown

Injuries limited Rubio to just six games last season, but his film shows intriguing versatility across the defensive line. Watch his Notre Dame highlights below:

Key takeaways: Rubio shows the ability to play nose tackle, 3-technique, and 4i, giving the Steelers developmental depth behind Heyward, Harmon and Keeanu Benton.

How Gabriel Rubio Fits the Steelers Defensive Line Rotation

In keeping with the theme of this draft, Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham declined to pigeonhole Gabriel Rubio at a specific position.

  • That’s actually very good for Rubio.

Because, while being drafted by the team that drafted his father is an irresistible storyline, there’s another Fighting Irishman who was drafted by the Steelers who Rubio should try to emulate. No, not Stephon Tuitt – that would be too much to ask a 6th round draft pick, but rather Oliver Gibson.

  • The Steelers drafted Gibson out of Notre Dame, in the 4th round of the 1995 NFL Draft.

And although he was officially a nose tackle, he played 60 games for the Steelers working in at all three positions on the defensive line as part of John Mitchell’s legendary rotation system.

That’s the road Rubio needs to follow. In addition to proving he can contribute on special teams, he needs to show coaches he can spell Cam Heyward, Derrick Harmon, and Keeanu Benton, without ensuring a drop off in play, the same way that Yahya Black did in 2025.

Welcome to Steelers Nation Gabriel Rubio.

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The Fullback is Back! Steelers Take Riley Nowakowski of Indiana in 5th Round of 2026 NFL Draft

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The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Riley Nowakowski out of Indiana in the 5th round of the 2026 NFL Draft, after trading down 9 spots.

And, in news that will please Steelers football purists, although Nowakowski played tight end for the Hoosiers, the Steelers are listing him as a fullback, hopefully signaling a renewed commitment to a physical, run-first identity.

Riley Nowakowski rushing for the Indiana Hoosiers.

Steelers 2026 5th round draft pick Riley Nowakowski while at Indiana. Photo Credit: Grace Hollars, Imagn Images via The Indianapolis Star

The move was another departure from the Steelers 2026 Draft Needs Matrix, as running back was rated as the second-lowest area of need, but there’s a lot to like about Nowakowski.

Steelers running backs coach Ramon Chinyoung declared, “He’s shown on tape that he has an ability to navigate through the backfield. The young man plays with grit, and at the end of the day, it’s all about will, like, you’ve got to be willing to go hunt.”

Riley Nowakowski began his college career as a linebacker, and played 5 seasons for Wisconsin before transferring to Indiana, where he helped the Hoosiers win the National Championship.

Matt C. Steel described him as his “favorite pick of the draft.” Steel explains why:

6-2 250 with great work as a fullback who also can play a little H-Back. 32 receptions and 382 yards is a great average for a guy with his role. No drops. Great kid. Former walk on. Growing up played running back. Has running back vision. Between him and  Gennings Dunker, gives me a little hope McCarthy might actually commit to the run enough.

[Editors Note: Anyone who has read a smidgen of Matt C. Steel’s work on Steel City Insider knows he is passionate about committing to the run.]

Riley Nowakowski Highlights: Why the Steelers Are Bringing Back the Fullback

Riley Nowakowski only played one year for Indiana, but as the video confirms, he made an immediate impact.

Watching this I can’t help but hope I’m seeing the next Merril Hoge.

Yes, that’s a lot to ask, but dreams are what make the draft special.

Riley Nowakowski’s Role: Can He Win a Spot as the Steelers’ Fullback?

5th Round picks must earn their NFL roster spots as rookies. With Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle and Kaleb Johnson already keeping seats warm in the running back room, the odds might seem long for Riley Nowakowski to make the team.

Beyond showing he can play special teams, Nowakowski will need to turn his versatility into an asset, the way Connor Heyward was doing before Arthur Smith arrived and reduced his role.

If the tape above is any indication, he’s got a shot at doing that.

Welcome to Steelers Nation Riley Nowakowski.

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Steelers Draft Kaden Wetjen, Return Specialist, Iowa, in 4th Round of 2026 NFL Draft

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The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Kaden Wetjen, a return specialist out of Iowa, in the 4th round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

For the first time in this draft class, Omar Khan and Mike McCarthy ignored the Steelers 2026 Draft Need Matrix as special teams positions were not considered, but with Calvin Austin and Kenneth Gainwell playing elsewhere, the Steelers needed to add a reliable kick returner to their roster.

The Steelers turned to Kaden Wetjen to upgrade their return game, prioritizing special teams impact over traditional positional needs.

Kaden Wetjen returns a kick for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Steelers 2026 4th round pick Kaden Wetjen

Kaden Wetjen boasted the Big 10’s best punt return average, clocking in at 26.8 yards while returning 3 punts for touchdowns. His kick return average was 29.8 last year which represented an improvement from his from average of 28.0 in 2024 when he led the conference.

Looking at his complete resume, he’s returned 56 kickoffs for an average of 27.5 yards per return and scored 2 touchdowns. Wetjen has also returned a total of 54 punts for an average of 17.7 yards per return and he’s scored 4 touchdowns.

But Wetjen isn’t strictly a one-trick pony. He caught 23 passes and a touchdown in college while also rushing the ball 23 times for 2 touchdowns.

  • The Steelers however see him primarily as a kick returner first, wide receiver second.

New Steelers special teams coach Danny Crossman explained to Jim Wexell why the Steelers were attracted to Wetjen:

Number one, he makes great decisions, good ball security. And then he is what I refer to as a catch-run-cut player. A lot of guys are looking to cut, maybe before they need to. He is fearless and he’s not going to make the cuts until he has to, and he can do it late.

Responding by email, Steel City Insider’s Matt C. Steel critiqued the decision, explaining, “I didn’t like the Wetjen pick. That’s too early for me for a return specialist.”

Kaden Wetjen Highlights: Why the Steelers Drafted a Return Specialist in Round 4

Matt C. Steel’s skepticism is understandable as the 4th round does seem to be a little early to draft a return specialist. But when you look at his tape, you can see why the Steelers gave in to the temptation to bend the rules:

Wetjen consistently identifies return lanes and makes defenders miss in space.

Kaden Wetjen’s Role: Immediate Impact on Steelers Special Teams

As a both a 4th round pick and someone filling a role that no one else on the roster is dedicated to, Kaden Wetjen is almost assured a roster spot.

Still, like the other rookies, he’s going to have to prove he belongs, but special teams is the place where rookies can make an immediate impact, and the Steelers drafted Wetjen to give their return game a shot in the arm.

And while my instinct is to agree with Steel that a 4th rounder is too early to draft a kick returner, it is also important to remember that Omar Khan and Andy Weidl have drafted Nick Herbig, Mason McCormick and Jack Sawyer in the 4th round, so their track record at this spot in the draft is pretty strong.

Let’s hope they go 4-4.

Welcome to Steelers Nation Kaden Wetjen.

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To the Trenches: Steelers Draft Gennings Dunker, Iowa Guard, in 3rd Round of 2026 NFL Draft

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The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Gennings Dunker, guard from Iowa, with their third and final third round pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. To get Gennings, Omar Khan had to trade the Steelers 6th round compensatory pick, moving up three spots.

Dunker was the last of the Pittsburgh’s premium picks, as the Steelers had 5 picks in the top 3 rounds and in taking him Khan and Mike McCarthy continued to stick to the Steelers 2026 Draft Needs Matrix, which rated guard as teams 6th most urgent need to fill.

Gennings Dunker playing for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Steelers 3rd round pick Gennings Dunker,while still at Iowa. Photo Credit: Silver and Black Pride

Although Dunker played tackle at Iowa, Steelers Offensive Line coach James Campen confirms that he will start at guard for the Steelers.

Over the past three seasons, Gennings Dunker started 37 games as the Hawkeyes right tackle, before moving to guard at the Senior Bowl. As Campen explained, “They’re so well coached at Iowa. When they come out they have established pad level and footwork.”

Steel City Insider’s Roy Countryman ranked Dunker as 2nd on his 3rd round value board for offensive lineman.

Watch Gennings Dunker Highlights: Steelers 3rd Round Guard

Offensive lineman need to move people, and Gennings Dunker’s tape from Iowa proves he’s got that ability:

Gennings Dunker’s Arrival Sets Up 3-Way Battle at Left Guard

In his pre-draft press conference, Mike McCarthy praised his starting guards, expressing satisfaction with Spencer Anderson and Brock Hoffman, whom he knows from his time in Dallas.

Going into the 2026 NFL Draft, Anderson and Hoffman were expected to battle for the starting job at left guard as Mason McCormick, is entrenched as the starter at right guard.

As a third round pick Dunker will make the final roster, but he’s going to have to show that he’s worthy of earning a helmet on game day. But, by the same token the Steelers clearly aren’t convinced that either Anderson or Hoffman is the long-term answer at guard, because you expect third rounders to develop into starters.

  • Dunker will get the chance to prove he can do that this summer at St. Vincents.

Welcome to Steelers Nation Gennings Dunker.

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Steelers Draft Daylen Everette, Cornerback Georgia, in 3rd Round of 2026 NFL Draft

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The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Georgia Bulldogs cornerback Daylen Everette with their second third round pick of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Daylen Everette intercepts a pass against the Texas Longhorns

Steelers 2026 3rd round pick Daylen Everette intercepts a pass for the Georgia Bulldogs.

In drafting a cornerback, Omar Khan and Mike McCarthy leapfrogged inside linebacker on the Steelers 2026 Draft Needs Matrix and addressed the roster’s 5th most urgent area of need. The move pivoted Pittsburgh to defense, after addressing offense with the picks of Max Iheanachor, Germie Bernard and Drew Allar in the first 3 rounds of the draft.

Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham endorsed Everette’s physical attributes, and praised, “The seriousness he has about football, the focus he has as a young man. I was really impressed by that. And you could just tell there’s some grit there about him and a willingness to get better.”

Steel City Insider’s Roy Countryman listed Everette has the top corner on his third round value board.

Watch Daylen Everette Highlights: Steelers 2026 3rd Round Draft Pick

Over the last three years Everette started 41 games for the Georgia Bulldogs, pulling down 5 interceptions and batting away 20 passes. By all accounts his tackling improved, which boosted his draft status.

Everette told Steel City Insider’s Jim Wexell that he played press man coverage on “maybe 80, 85 percent of my snaps.” If the video above is indicative of his ability, he was quite effective at it.

How Daylen Everette Fits in the Steelers Secondary Depth Chart

As a 3rd round pick Daylen Everette won’t need to fight for a roster spot, but finding playing time could be a challenge, assuming Joey Porter Jr., Jamel Dean and Brandin Echols stay healthy, they should see the bulk of the work at cornerback, with Jalen Ramsey rotating in as a chess piece.

That being the case, special teams is likely Everette’s ticket to getting playing time, although Patrick Graham reminded reporters that “There’s no depth chart right now. It’s open audition for ballhawks.”

Welcome to Steelers Nation Daylen Everette.

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Steelers Draft Drew Allar, Quarterback from Penn State in 3rd Round of 2026 NFL Draft

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The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Penn State quarterback Drew Allar with the first of their 3 third round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.

In doing so, Omar Khan and Mike McCarthy continued to stick close to the Steelers 2026 Draft Needs Matrix. Wide receiver was the top need, quarterback their second with offensive tackle coming in third.

Drew Allar quarterbacking for Penn State against North Western in his final collegiate game.

Steelers Drew Allar, the Steelers 2026 3rd round pick. Photo Credit: Barry Reeger, AP, via the Post-Gazette.

With their first pick the Steelers drafted offensive tackle Max Iheanachor, in the second round they traded up to take wide receiver Germie Bernard and now in the third round they’ve added a quarterback.

  • Just one year ago draft analysist touted Drew Allar as a potential first round prospect.

However, he injured his ankle while scrambling during the 4th quarter of Penn State’s October 11th 22-22 loss to Northwestern. The injury ended his season and cost Allar a chance to make up inconsistent performance which had already caused scouts to question his worthiness of first round status.

Roy Countryman of Big Country Scouting ranked Allar as one of his 4th round value picks, describing him as perhaps “the most enigmatic prospect in this year’s draft class.” Countryman praises Allar’s athletic traits and explains this enigmatic diagnosis this way:

…Is adept between the ears as he can process coverage schemes and reads at a quality rate and is a sturdy presence in the pocket who will stand tall and deliver passes to his receivers….

…What frustrates too often is that you see the flashes of Allar’s high points, but he makes some highly questionable decisions and his accuracy can wane under duress or when he’s out of rhythm. His footwork is a trainwreck, which causes some of his touch issues.

Steelers quarterback’s coach Tom Arth conceded that Allar’s footwork needs attention, while praising the Penn State signal caller as someone with the size and strength for “…playing the physical brand of football that it is in the AFC North.”

Steel City Insider’s Matt C. Steel share with Steel Curtain Rising the he also had Allar pegged as a 4th rounder explaining that he’s “Worth trying to develop his measurables by round four if the rest of these players are off the board.”

Watch Drew Allar Highlights: Steelers 2026 3rd Round Pick

Drew Allar was a three-year starter for the Nittany Lions and went 26-9 career in his 35 starts.

Here’s a look at his highlight reel, where you can see Allar’s impressive arm-strength, mobility and pocket presence on display.

Drew Allar’s flashes are easy to see. The question is whether the Mike McCarthy, Brian Angelichio Tom Arth can transform those flashes into consistent NFL quarterback play.

Does Drew Allar Reshape the Steelers’ 2026 Quarterback Room…?

By drafting Drew Allar, the Steelers have added a third quarterback to their roster in addition to Mason Rudolph and Will Howard. The proverbial “Elephant in the room” is of course Aaron Rodgers‘ absence.

Throughout the off season, the Steelers brass, from Art Rooney II to Omar Khan to Mike McCarthy have expressed optimism on the record that Rodgers will sign with the team. They’ve backed this up with obvious off the record assurances to reporters.

And Tom Arth doubled down on this narrative confirming, “I don’t believe that has any impact on Aaron.”

If Arth is right, that gives the Steelers a numbers problem. Before the draft the idea of having Rodgers backed up by a veteran (Rudolph) and a developmental prospect (Howard) was straightforward.

Now the Steelers have two developmental prospects. Mike McCarthy has already said he can manage the development of two young players simultaneously.

  • But keeping 4 quarterbacks present Pittsburgh with a math problem.

Yes, the Steelers have kept 4 quarterbacks twice before. In’95, they kept Neil O’Donnell, Mike Tomczak, Jim Miller and Kordell Stewart. The plan worked well, as all four quarterbacks threw passes that season, and the “Slash” phenomenon helped fuel the 1995 Steelers run to Super Bowl XXX.

Kordell Stewart, Mike Tomczak, 1999 Steelers

Kordell Stewart and Mike Tomlin in the late 1990s.

Moreover, Tomczak, Miller and Stewart all did stints as the Steelers starting QB following O’Donnell’s departure in free agency.

They also kept four quarterbacks at the end of the decade when they carried with Stewart, Tomcazk, Pete Gonzalez and Anthony Wright on their roster for the duration of the 1999 season. But after the ’99 neither Tomcazk, nor Gonzalez nor Wright ever wore a Steelers uniform again.

The Steelers kept 4 quarterbacks in 1995 because of their collective strength, whereas in 1999 it revealed the group’s weakness.

The challenge, for Drew Allar as well as Will Howard isn’t just to force Mike McCarthy into a difficult math problem, but to do so from a position of strength.

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Trading Up! Steelers Draft Germie Bernard, Alabama Wide Out in 2nd Round of 2026 NFL Draft

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The Pittsburgh Steelers traded up in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft to select Germie Bernard, landing the wide receiver they needed after missing out in Round 1.

Wide receiver graded out as the highest area of need on the Steelers 2026 Draft Need Matrix. By all accounts the team was targeting that position in the first round, but the Eagles swooped with a trade to draft Malik Lemon, so Pittsburgh used its first rounder on offensive tackle Max Iheanachor instead.

Germie Bernard makes a catch against Oklahoma.

Germie Bernard makes a catch against Oklahoma Photo Credit: Rolltide.co via SI.com

Omar Khan wasn’t about to let this happen again, as he sent Indianapolis the Steelers’ 2nd round pick along with one of their 4th round s and a 7th round pick to the Colts for their 2nd round pick and 7th pick.

That may seem like a lot to give up to move up six slots, but it allowed them to pick a guy that Steel City Insider’s Roy Countryman describes Bernard as someone who “turns into a running back with the ball in his hands.”

While conceding that while he might lack a little when it comes to measurable, Countryman concludes “….there may not be a better pure football talent at the wideout position than Bernard.”

In a private message, Matt C. Steel who has also written for Steel City Insider, described Bernard this way, “Championship profile in terms of intermediate play action success, RAC, versatility, character. Might like him better than WR’s after Cooper.” Steel rated Bernard as his 22nd most desirable prospect in the draft, and projected him to go between pick 40 and 53. 

The Steelers traded up to get him with the 47th pick, so Steel was right on the money with that part of his analysis.

Germie Bernard Highlights (Alabama WR, Steelers Pick)

Germie Bernard made aggressive use of the NCAA’s transfer portal, starting out at Michigan State, as a freshman, moving onto Washington as a sophomore, and playing his junior and senior years with the Crimson Tide at Alabama.

Watch Germie Bernard’s Alabama highlights, showcasing his run-after-catch ability and versatility:

 

During his four-year collegiate career, he caught 155 passes for 2203 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. He also rushed 36 times for a 184 yards. He also returned 53 kicks during his time with Michigan State and Washington.

How Germie Bernard Impacts the Steelers Offense

Germie Bernard projects as the Steelers’ immediate No. 3 wide receiver, adding versatility and playmaking ability.

D.K. Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. are entrenched as the Steelers’ starting wide receivers, but Bernard’s ability to line up both outside and in the slot should allow him to carve out a meaningful role early in his rookie season.

That flexibility could prove critical. Bernard has the skill set to be deployed in motion, used on manufactured touches, and even aligned in the backfield to create mismatches—something Steelers offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio has already hinted at.

The competition for snaps behind him is far less settled. Roman Wilson will be fighting to secure a roster spot, while Ben Skowronek remains primarily a special teams contributor despite generally doing good things when he gets the ball in his hands.

Bernard must earn his strips, but h has a path to becoming more than just a complementary option, but he has the potential to give the Steelers offense a dimension they’ve lacked for a long time.

Welcome to Steelers Nation Germie Bernard.

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