Highly anticipated Steelers wide receiver among the biggest losers of the 2026 NFL draft following Pittsburgh’s Round 2 selection
The 2026 NFL Draft is over, and while there are still some holes to be filled and questions to be answered, for the most part, we know what the Steelers roster is going to look like. So, here are three winners and three losers in Pittsburgh following the Draft.
Many view the NFL Draft as finality for a season. Sure, the Super Bowl was months ago, but from the time the ball leaves the kickoff specialist’s foot for the first time in September, through the draft in April, there is a fairly steady flow of news and events.
With that season now officially closed, the 2026 season can begin in full swing with the start of OTAs, minicamp, and, of course, training camp when July rolls around. So who are the biggest winners and losers in Pittsburgh after the draft? Don’t worry, we have you covered.
Steelers winners following the 2026 NFL Draft
QB Aaron Rodgers
Even if you want to say that the Steelers reached for Drew Allar in the third round, that’s entirely different from taking a quarterback in round one like the Packers did when Rodgers was coming off an NFC Championship appearance in Green Bay.
Rodgers will not, or should not, feel threatened by a third-round quarterback who is, honestly, light-years away from being ready to start in the NFL. The door is still wide open for Rodgers to return, and I’m sure he likes that.
LB Patrick Queen
Not only did the Steelers hold on to Patrick Queen amid the trade rumors, but they didn’t draft or sign a single stacked backer over the weekend. That, coupled with Queen’s roster bonus having already triggered, tells me that the Steelers plan on keeping him, barring an unforeseen trade offer.
EDGE Alex Highsmith
Despite draft week opening with some heavy rumors about Highsmith being on the trade block, those never really came to fruition, and the Steelers, with no obvious need at the position, stayed away from EDGE. It would be a shock to see him moved at this point, though the Steelers did trade defensive star Minkah Fitzpatrick in the summer last year.
Steelers Losers following the 2026 NFL Draft
WR Roman Wilson
Roman Wilson is in a grey area right now. On one hand, the coaching staff that took it slow with him and rendered him inactive when he was needed most is gone, but on the other hand, the new staff pledges no allegiance to him.
Then, with their second pick in the draft, the Steelers traded up and selected Alabama WR Germie Bernard, who is much closer to the profile of a WR that Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy have coveted as a power slot with alignment versatility and physcality.
Wilson now has true competition for the WR No. 3 role.
RB Kaleb Johnson
Kaleb Johnson was already going to feel the heat with the free agent additions of Travis Homer and Rico Dowdle, but two picks on day three raised the thermostat. To take Kaden Wetjen in round four signals that he will be the starting kick/punt returner, a job that Johnson tried last year.
Then, the Steelers probably used their last pick to select their most underrated player in the draft, Navy RB/WR Eli Heidenreich. So it’s safe to say that Johnson will need a big end of spring and into summer.
LT Broderick Jones
You could see the writing on the wall with Jones in Pittsburgh for some time, but unfortunately, with the relapse of his neck injury, the Steelers were forced to make some moves up front, and they didn’t wait.
Pittsburgh selected two tackles in the first three rounds, though it is widely believed that Gennings Dunker will be playing guard. Max Iheanachor, on the other hand, was selected to be the Steelers’ long-term answer at tackle, and of course, Troy Fautanu is still there at RT.