Meet the 2026 Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Class: One of the more polarizing classes in recent memory is finally finished
Here is the 2026 Pittsburgh Steelers rookie draft class following the marquee event in Pittsburgh.
The picks are in, the 2026 NFL Draft is over, and the marquee event in Pittsburgh has come to an end. Meet the 2026 Pittsburgh Steelers rookie class.
Round 1, Pick 21: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
By now, you know the story very well. The Steelers were trying to select Makai Lemon, that news somehow got out and made its way to Philly, where the Eagles jumped them and stole him right from underneath their nose.
So call it what you want, but the Steelers were forced to settle for Iheanachor, who has the upside to be the best tackle in the class, but is very raw.
Round 2, Pick 47: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
Probably the best pick on paper, the Steelers found a ready-made option at the WR position after striking out on Lemon. He’s an ideal fit in Mike McCarthy’s offense as a power slot who can move the chains.
Round 3, Pick 76: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
Easily the most criticized pick of the draft for the Steelers, many view Allar as a reach relative to positional need and the Steelers already having a plethora of backups on the roster, but few signal callers have a higher ceiling in this class.
Round 3, Pick 85: Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia
We know the Steelers love traits at the cornerback position, and few players had better traits than Everette in this class. If he can put it all together, the Steelers may have finally found their long-term answer opposite of Joey Porter Jr.
Round 3, Pick 96: Gennings Dunker, OL, Iowa
Dunker was a very solid pick in my opinion. He can slot in as a starting left guard on day one, though it will likely be a three-way competition between him, Spencer Anderson, and of course, Brock Hoffman.
Round 4, Pick 121: Kaden Wetjen, returner, Iowa
The second most headscratching pick outside of Allar, Wetjen is likely a returner only at the second level, making a fourth-rounder a little rich in my opinion. He will serve as Calvin Austin’s replacement.
Round 5, Pick 169: Riley Nowakowski, TE/FB, Indiana
Nowakowski is an old-school TE who will work as a replacement for recently departed Connor Heyward. He can play in-line as a TE, or get in the backfield and get to work as a blocker.
Round 6, Pick 210: Gabriel Rubio, DL, Notre Dame
Gabriel Rubio was a four-star recruit in high school, and his father played for the Steelers.
Round 7, Pick 224: Robert Spears-Jennings, S, Oklahoma
Spears-Jennings is one of my favorite picks on day three for the Steelers. He has ton of range and versatility and fits a need for the Steelers.
Round 7, Pick 230: Eli Heidenreich, RB, Notre Dame
The Steelers saved arguably their best story of the draft for last. A Navy Midshipman from Pittsburgh, Heidenreich was in full uniform and walked the halls to the draft stage to greet Roger Goodell.
More than a cool moment, however, Heidenreich is a tremendous athlete, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he pushed Kaleb Johnson for the RB No. 3 role.
Round 1, Pick: 21: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
Round 2, Pick 46: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
Round 3, Pick 76: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
Round 3, Pick 85: Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia
Round 3, Pick 96: Gennings Dunker, OL, Iowa
Round 4, pick 121: Kaden Wetjen, returner, Iowa
Round 5, Pick 169: Riley Nowakowski, TE/FB, Indiana
Round 6, Pick 210: Gabriel Rubio, DL, Notre Dame
Round 7, Pick 224: Robert Spears-Jennings, S, Oklahoma
Round 7, Pick 230: Eli Heidenreich, RB, Notre Dame
Final Word
You have to give a class at least three years before making any final declarations, but man, it’s hard to be bullish about what the Steelers did, and it all started when things went awry on night one.