Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 NFL Draft Pick Grades
With the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, the Steelers had plenty of extra motivation to hit a home run with their selections. For the first time in 20 seasons, the Steelers would be drafting without Mike Tomlin. New HC Mike McCarthy has the reins now and is tasked with leading the storied franchise to its first playoff victory in a decade. Did the Steelers make McCarthy’s job easier and land a stellar draft class? Time to find out. Here are my Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 NFL Draft Grades:
Round 1, Pick 21, Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
With the hometown crowd roaring in anticipation, the Steelers got their guy…almost. As Pittsburgh was on the phone congratulating WR Makai Lemon on becoming the next Pittsburgh Steeler, the Philadelphia Eagles ripped him away, trading with the Dallas Cowboys for pick 20.
With egg on their face, the Steelers pivoted to Max Iheanachor, drawing mixed reactions from the crowd. A classic example of liking the player but not the pick, Iheanachor was a questionable choice. The RT from Arizona State is a very talented, but also very raw prospect, having only played football since 2021. The drafting of Iheanachor likely means LT Broderick Jones’ time in Pittsburgh is nearing its end.
If the Steelers are moving on from Jones, and if Troy Fautanu can be moved from right to left tackle, and if Iheanchor can develop enough to reach his full potential, this can be a good pick.
That is way too many “ifs” for a first-round pick. While I think Max Iheanachor can eventually quiet the critics, there were several better options on the board. After whiffing on Lemon, the Steelers dropped the ball here.
Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Pick Grade: C-
Max Iheanachor NFL Draft Profile
Round 2, Pick 47: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
After the Makai Lemon fiasco, the Steelers did a great job securing WR Germie Bernard in round two. Trading up 6 spots, Pittsburgh snagged the productive Alabama wideout, who will form a terrific trio of receivers with DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr.
Aaron Rodgers, if he returns, will have a majorly upgraded set of weapons at his disposal in 2026. I absolutely loved this pick, as I had Bernard mocked to the Steelers in the second round. The Steelers’ offense has a new dimension that it has lacked for years. The AFC North is wide open. Germie Bernard will give the Steelers a boost as they try to defend their division crown.
Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Pick Grade: A
Germie Bernard NFL Draft Profile
Round 3, Pick 76: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
The Steelers make their most polarizing pick of the draft, selecting Penn State quarterback Drew Allar in the third round. Allar is both a tantalizing and frustrating prospect. He will throw a perfect 50-yard strike, and then overthrow a wide-open screen pass on the next play.
Allar’s arm strength is elite. There is no NFL throw he can’t make, but Allar’s inconsistency is maddening. After the 2024 season, Allar would have been a first-round pick, but he decided to return to Penn State. The 2025 season was a nightmare for both the Nittany Lions and Allar, who struggled mightily before a broken ankle ended his season.
This will be one of the Steelers’ most heavily scrutinized picks in recent memory. Drafting Allar this high seems like a reach. Will it prevent the Steelers from attempting to secure one of the top quarterbacks in 2027? The Steelers stay stuck in QB Purgatory, hoping a 42-year-old comes back while drafting youngsters who are more hype than substance.
Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Pick Grade: D
Drew Allar NFL Draft Profile
Round 3, Pick 85: Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia
The Steelers needed to add talent and depth behind starting cornerbacks Joey Porter Jr. and Jamel Dean. They got both with Daylen Everette. The Georgia product has the versatility to play outside or in the slot, giving him extra appeal. His experience playing press-man coverage should allow him to earn valuable playing time as a rookie.
While I think other DBs still available offered higher upside, Everett’s size (6’1) and physicality make him an excellent fit for Pittsburgh’s defense.
Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Pick Grade: B
Daylen Everette NFL Draft Profile
Round 3, Pick 96: Gennings Dunker, OT/G, Iowa
Pittsburgh selects Iowa Hawkeye Gennings Dunker with its third pick of round three. Though he primarily played right tackle in college, Dunker is expected to move inside to guard in the NFL.
A fantastic pick, Dunker is a “mauler” who should become an instant fan favorite. Dunker is the next in a long line of excellent offensive linemen churned out by Iowa. He will come to the Steelers having been well-coached and technically sound. Dunker should compete for a starting role immediately and has the potential to be a fixture of the Steelers’ line for years to come.
Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Pick Grade: A
Gennings Dunker NFL Draft Profile
Round 4, Pick 121: Kaden Wetjen, WR, Iowa
The Steelers take their second straight player from Iowa, selecting WR Kaden Wetjen if round four. Wetjen instantly becomes the Steelers’ most dangerous return man, having twice been named Big-10 return specialist of the year.
His return skills aside, this pick is a major reach for the Steelers. Even after losing Calvin Austin III in free agency, countless options would have made more sense. The Steelers could have added several different quality pass rushers, linebackers, or defensive backs with this pick. Instead, they landed on a prospect who could have been there for them much later.
Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Pick Grade: C-
Round 5, Pick 169: Riley Nowakowski, TE, Indiana
The Steelers select TE/FB Nowakowski, giving them a larger version of Connor Heyward, who left in free agency for the Raiders. Nowakowski is great as a lead blocker. With the ability to line up as a fullback, as an inline TE, or multiple other spots, Nowakowski should see plenty of snaps as a rookie.
The Steelers clearly have a specific role envisioned for Nowakowski, making him a solid pick.
Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Pick Grade: B
Round 6, Pick 210: Gabriel Rubio, DT, Notre Dame
Another pick out of nowhere, Gabriel Rubio wasn’t even invited to the Combine in February. Rubio’s last season at Notre Dame was cut short after seven games due to an arm injury, and he has been on nobody’s radar since. Rubio is big at 6’5 and 322 pounds.
There isn’t much to like about this pick. Rubio’s RAS score (assuming from Pro-Day testing) is only 4.82, which doesn’t suggest much upside. Rubio’s draft profile didn’t even have a photo. Making matters worse, athletic freak with enormous potential DT Jordan van den Berg was taken exactly one pick later.
If Pittsburgh were interested in Rubio, he could have been a fine UDFA instead of a sixth-round selection. This feels like a waste of a draft pick.
Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Pick Grade: F
Round 7, Pick 224: Robert Spears-Jennings, S, Oklahoma
With the first of their two picks in the final round, the Steelers add the talented Robert Spears-Jennings. The Oklahoma safety was projected to go much earlier, and he provides outstanding value at this spot.
Jennings is fast and has a lot of physicality in his game. Already a sure tackler, Jennings also has plenty of upside. In time, the former Sooner can grow into a vital depth piece for the Steelers’ secondary.
Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Grade: A-
Round 7, Round 230: Eli Heidenreich, RB, Navy
What an emotional moment. With their last pick in the draft, the Steelers selected Navy RB (and Pittsburgh native) Eli Heidenreich. As they cheered uproariously, Heidenrich marched through the crowd to a separate stage, where he could soak in all the adulation and support the fans were bestowing on him. It was truly an amazing scene, which Heidenreich greatly deserved.
As for the football side of things, Heidenreich is a talented, versatile player who, even though he is listed as a running back, recorded 51 catches for 941 yards as a senior. Heidenreich’s dual-threat ability gives him a fighting chance to make the Steelers’ roster. If not, he can be stashed on the practice squad as he adjusts from Navy’s triple option to an NFL offense.
Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Grade: B-(A+ for the moment)
Eli Heidenreich NFL Draft Profile
Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Summary
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ draft was nothing short of a roller coaster ride. The 2026 NFL Draft began with an incredibly embarrassing look for the Steelers. The Makai Lemon situation made the Steelers look foolish and inept. Pittsburgh had to do damage control and try to brush off the fallout.
The Steelers then spent three days making picks, which led to conflicting emotions among their fans. Terrific selections, head-scratching picks were all thrown into a blender together.
Unfortunately for the Steelers’ grade, their most questionable picks were also their most important picks. Making the wrong pick in the first round or missing on a highly drafted quarterback can have lasting ramifications on an organization. Hopefully, both Max Iheanachor and Drew Allar prove to be the correct choices. Until they do, I have serious concerns about this draft for the Steelers.
