The Pittsburgh Steelers wrapped up the 2026 NFL Draft having added 10 rookies to their roster. With the draft now wrapped up, our staff gives their final overall grades on the Steelers’ 2026 draft class.
Ryland Bickley: While I didn’t hate any of the Steelers’ picks, my overall takeaways from this class are that it’s mildly underwhelming. Granted, the one-two punch of Iheanachor in the first and Bernard in the second both made a lot of sense given the available board and the team’s short- and long-term goals. Allar, who I’m not very high on, was a defendable quarterback swing on a team that still desperately needs one.
The Everette and Dunker picks were both at positions of need, but there were several names at offensive line and defensive back I had rated higher.
The team’s Day Three hall was fine. Wetjen is obviously a great returner, but the fourth round felt a bit rich given that the team has found quality contributors on offense and defense (Nick Herbig, Darnell Washington, etc.) there in recent years. Also, the team’s three wide receiver-adjacent picks (Bernard, Wetjen, Heidenreich) were all gadget guys to various degrees in their college offenses — all awesome players, but that’s a lot of redundancy for a team that could still use some vertical talent in the passing game.
I liked aspects of all of the team’s Day Three picks, especially Nowakowski, who isn’t at the highest value position but is a perfect fit for the new-look Pittsburgh offense.
Still, the Steelers entered this draft with 12 picks and a chance to really replenish the roster depth. I don’t think they accomplished that goal to its full potential, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say there’s still a lot to be exciting about. Grade: B
Mike Nicastro: The Steelers first draft in nearly two decades without Mike Tomlin definitely felt different. For starters, they selected a player in the first round who they were barely connected to in Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor, who felt like a panic reach after the Maki Lemon debacle. He has a high ceiling – but it was a strange tone given the team’s general “win-now” demeanor.
Their best picks came on day two in my opinion, in steady eddy Alabama wideout Germie Bernard, and my favorite choice – their left guard for the next decade, Gennings Dunker out of Iowa. Neither of those will be Hall of Famers, but both should be above average pros for a long time. Although I don’t think Drew Allar will be their franchise guy, I don’t hate the idea of using one of their many picks on a dart throw. If it doesn’t hit, whatever.
Day three was all over the place, but the Eli Heidenreich selection in round seven put a bow on an otherwise sloppy gift wrapping to the city of Pittsburgh – which by the way, did a phenomenal job hosting an epic NFL Draft weekend. I know that doesn’t factor into the grade, but it should. Grade: B
Ryan Parish: I know there will be those who disagree with me, but I felt the Steelers crushed the first two picks of this draft – I and flatly reject the notion that the Iheanachor selection was a panic pick – before drifting into some odd choices in the middle and late rounds. Overall, I’m really pleased with the prospect of finding the two missing starters for the offensive line, a do it all receiver with blocking chops, and a butt-kicking fullback who will really tie the new power running game together. With the exception of spending a fourthth rounder on a special teams only player, I also can at least see the reasoning behind some of their other picks, even if there were other prospects at those positions I preferred. Grades are always tough until we see how it plays out on the field, so just know my grade has room to grow if several of these picks turn into quality starters. Grade: B
Jarrett Bailey: The Makai Lemon debacle is far too embarrassing to just overlook. The Steelers had a chance to move up for the guy they wanted, and sat on their hands instead. For their sake, hopefully Max Iheanachor and Germie Bernard end up being very good.
I really like Day Two. Bernard should be the Day One starter at slot receiver. Taking Allar makes sense. He has the physical tools you want in a quarterback, and was the best option of the second wave of guys at the position. Daylen Everette is a fast, sticky cornerback, and Gennings Dunker will compete to start at left guard as a rookie.
Day Three was up and down. Kaden Wetjen is a fun player, but a decent reach in the fourth round. Riley Nowakowski will be a good TE3 and special teams contributor. Gabriel Rubio was a massive reach who no one thought would get drafted. However, Robert Spears-Jennings is incredibly athletic safety who could get one of the final roster spots as a special teamer, and landing Eli Heidenreich was one of the best picks of Day Three. Overall, there is a lot of potential with the class, but it could also go south and left many wanting more. Grade: B-
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Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 NFL Draft grades: RB Eli Heidenreich
Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 NFL Draft grades: S Robert Spears-Jennings
Steelers select Oklahoma safety Robert Spears-Jennings in 2026 NFL Draft
Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 NFL Draft grades: DT Gabriel Rubio