Realistic expectations for the Steelers 2026 rookie class this season

[ASFN Admin]

The Pittsburgh Steelers are well into training camp and preparing for their first preseason game and have 10 drafted rookies on the roster. Now that we've had a significant amount of time to study these rookies, we've updated our expectations for them this season.

First round - Offensive tackle - Max Iheanachor​

Iheanachor is still on track to be the starting right tackle at some point this season despite a training camp injury. We expect him to be in the starting lineup after the team's bye week.

Second round - Wide receiver - Germie Bernard​

Thanks to the emergence of Roman Wilson, we have tempered our rookie expectations for Bernard and think he is probably a year a way from being a consistent producer.

Third round - Quarterback - Drew Allar​

Allar is keeping pace with Will Howard and honestly we feel like he's ahead of the second-year quarterback but either way, the No. 3 quarterback spot is his destiny this season.

Third round - Cornerback - Daylen Everett​

Everett has been the strongest Steelers rookie all the way back to OTAs and continues to angle himself to be the team's No. 2 outside cornerback and first guy off the bench.

Third round - Offensive lineman - Gennings Dunker​

Dunker is a little behind what we expected and we don't think he cracks the starting lineup this season and needs this year to make the move to guard.

Fourth round - Wide receiver - Kaden Wetjen​

Wetjen is going to get every chance to make the team as the team's kick returner and this is what we expect to happen.

Fifth round - Fullback - Riley Nowakowski​

We aren't sure how the Steelers will use Nowakowski but we do feel like they will find him a spot on the 53-man roster and he will play a lot of special teams.

Sixth round - Defensive end - Gabriel Rubio​

Rudio has made a few plays in camp but we still see him squarely on the roster bubble and more of a practice squad candidate.

Seventh round - Safety - Robert Spears-Jennings​

Spears-Jennings has taken advantage of his opportunities and could end up the team's top backup safety as a seventh-round rookie.

Seventh round - Running back - Eli Heidenreich​

Heidenreich is a fan favorite but after feeling like he was a lock to make the roster, a quiet offseason has us changing things to him being more of a practice squad or IR redshirt year.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Realistic expectations for the Steelers 2026 rookie class this season

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