I’m not going to hand out arbitrary grades for the Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 draft class. But it’s fair and right to evaluate what I did and didn’t like about the ten selections the team made over the weekend.
Below are my favorite and least favorite things about the team’s choices.
What I Liked
1. All Three Trades
Omar Khan was busy working the phones and made three trades. Moving up six spots in the second round to land WR Germie Bernard, climbing three spots in the third to acquire OG Gennings Dunker, and falling back in the fifth eight spots to obtain FB Riley Nowakowski.
None of these deals were blockbusters, but all three were wise decisions. Going up to get Bernard, especially, instead of risking losing out on another receiver after the Makai Lemon situation. Bernard was the best receiver on the board and a strong scheme fit. All Pittsburgh gave up was the latter of their fourth round picks (No. 135) and a seventh (No. 237). For Dunker, it took a sixth (No. 216).
Khan then recouped that sixth by moving down in the fifth round, picking up No. 210 from the Kansas City Chiefs. It appears Pittsburgh was set to take Michigan FB Max Bredeson, but after he came off the board two spots ahead, the Steelers traded down and still grabbed the next-best fullback in Nowakowski. Who, frankly, might be the better prospect.
These were shrewd deals that worked in Pittsburgh’s favor at every turn.
2. Offensive Imagination And Versatility
After the draft, Mike McCarthy quipped it was time to open up the playbook. He has good reason to try. The team’s three offensive skill players highlighted versatility: Germie Bernard, Kaden Wetjen, and Eli Heidenreich. All three are multiple in their alignments.
Alabama’s offense ran through Bernard, who aligned at running back, in the slot, out wide, and got touches every which way imaginable. He even threw a couple of passes. Wetjen’s offensive role expanded in 2025, and he can wear multiple hats. Ditto with Heidenreich, one of the most productive offensive players in Navy history. He’s one of two Midshipmen to have 1,000 rushing and receiving yards in his career (Eric Roberts is the other).
Had this been Pittsburgh’s previous coaching staff, I would’ve been highly skeptical that the group had the imagination to utilize these players properly. Under McCarthy and OC Brian Angelichio, I’m far more confident.
3. Further Trench Investment
Though Pittsburgh got creative with its skill players, the front office didn’t ignore the meat-and-potatoes of the roster: offensive line. The Steelers spent two Top 100 selections on the trenches in OT Max Iheanachor and Dunker. It’s a little frustrating to use another top pick on a tackle, but Broderick Jones’ neck injury influenced the decision. That isn’t the front office’s fault.
Kevin Colbert’s final draft classes ignored early offensive line investments. Omar Khan, Andy Weidl, and company sure aren’t. The building blocks of the roster are the focal point. Largely, the results have been positive.
4. Day Three Special Teams Value
With 10 draft picks and a roster without screaming needs, it won’t be easy for the final Day Three selections to find a path to making the roster. But Pittsburgh got plenty of special teams help as one avenue for those guys to stick. Wetjen’s return abilities are obvious, and he should enter the year returning kicks and punts. Nowakowski played 471 special teams snaps in college, while Spears-Jennings cut his teeth there in his early years. Heidenreich also has a background on the coverage team.
That will increase their chances of making the roster and, more importantly, of making an impact in Year One.
5. Youth Movement
Plenty of pundits called for Pittsburgh to trim down its 12 selections into a 7-8 man class. I wasn’t in that camp. This was a unique class to add talent and see 2025’s second-oldest roster add a youth infusion. Especially for a new coaching staff aiming to construct the roster and its personnel to their vision and scheme. Depth, competition, and injury protection will make these extra players valuable.
Ten players? Sign me up. That’s the perfect number of picks for this roster.
What I Didn’t Like
1. Drew Allar’s Selection
You love it or hate it. Many of you in the comments will argue why Allar was a worthwhile flier, and I understand the argument. Tom Mead made a great case. The physical tools and potential. The great coaching he’ll receive from Mike McCarthy and Tom Arth. If Allar hits big, I’ll eat my words.
My stance, however, doesn’t change. When it comes to quarterbacks, take one early or not at all. Show conviction for a franchise quarterback in Round One or punt and wait. Not just from a talent value standpoint, but also a plan to give that guy the chance to play. A first-round pick will get the chance. A third-rounder? That chance is less clear.
To the player, Allar is such a project that I’m not confident or comfortable that he’ll ever get where he needs to be. The physical tools are great. Everything else needs work. A lot of work.
If there’s any silver lining, the fact that Pittsburgh had a trio of third-round picks makes selecting Allar more palatable.
He’s the most polarizing player of the class. Let’s see how he looks in camp and the preseason.
2. Day Three’s Low Ceiling Theme
As much as I loved the Kaden Wetjen selection, there was an uninspiring theme to how Day Three began. Wetjen, Nowakowski, and Rubio are high-floor, low-ceiling types. Best-case, Wetjen becomes Pittsburgh’s equivalent of what Kavonte Turpin provided McCarthy in Dallas. If Wetjen gets there, that’s a win, but that’s the ceiling. Likewise, Nowakowski’s role is narrow and niche. Rubio won’t become more than a run-stuffing base end.
Those outcomes have value. But odds are slim that those three will reach the heights recent fourth-rounders like Nick Herbig and Mason McCormick have achieved. One selection with a low ceiling is understandable. Three-in-a-row is less appealing. To a degree, it’s offset by the upside of Max Iheanachor and Drew Allar, but that doesn’t entirely negate the trend.
In fairness, seventh-rounders Robert Spears-Jennings and Eli Heidenreich provide more upside. Their first mission will be simply making the team. Overall, a little more upside on Day Three would’ve been ideal.
3. Risk Of Lacking Immediate Help
For a team aiming to win now, the rookie class might not be much help. It’s plausible Iheanachor begins the season on the bench. Allar won’t start. Dunker has a good chance to capture the left guard role, but that’s not etched in stone. Of the top-five selections, only WR Germie Bernard is locked into a role out of the gate.
Draft picks should be considered for what they offer long-term, even more than how they can contribute immediately. But unlike recent classes, this group may need a little more time as Iheanachor refines his game, Allar gets coached up, and Dunker transitions to a new spot and side.
4. Tight End Run Leaves Pittsburgh Thin
This one isn’t entirely Pittsburgh’s fault. A heavy run of Day Two tight ends wiped out the group, eight selected between pick No. 54 and No. 95, and the Steelers basically punted on the position. Riley Nowakowski played tight end in college but will be used as a fullback and coached by Ramon Chinyoung Sr., not Robert Kugler. He’s versatile, but an injury to Pat Freiermuth or Darnell Washington will leave Pittsburgh’s gameday personnel groupings thin and limited. Can’t run 22 personnel if Nowakowski is forced to fill in at tight end.
McCarthy’s known for his three-receiver sets, but he’s also touted for using a steady flow of 12 personnel and getting tight ends involved.
The Steelers should sign a veteran to the mix. They may end up using a sixth offensive lineman to compensate, though it’s not clear if McCarthy will hammer that package as often as Arthur Smith.
5. The Undrafted Free Agents
I’ll keep this repeated gripe short and to the point. Pittsburgh brought in another underwhelming UDFA class. A small group of six names, the Steelers consistently lose out to other clubs by offering only small signing bonuses. Not much to write home about here. Indiana CB Devan Boykin and Syracuse DL Kevan Jobity Jr. might be among the most interesting.