Full Breakdown
Steelers' 2026 Draft: Day-3 Selections and Overall Class Assessment
4/26/2026, 11:39:02 AM
Core Event: Day-3 Picks and Final Draft Summary
On the final day of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers used five selections to complete a class that ultimately comprised ten players. The Day-3 picks were: WR/return specialist Kaden Wetjen (Iowa, No. 121), TE/FB Riley Nowakowski (Indiana, No. 169), DL Gabriel Rubio (Notre Dame, No. 210), S Robert Spears-Jennings (Oklahoma, No. 224) and RB Eli Heidenreich (Navy, No. 230). Combined with earlier selections—OT Max Iheanachor (Arizona State, No. 21), WR Germie Bernard (Alabama, No. 47), QB Drew Allar (Penn State, No. 76), CB Daylen Everette (Georgia, No. 85) and OT Gennings Dunker (Iowa, No. 96)—the Steelers entered training camp with a roster that addressed offensive line depth, wide-receiver talent, quarterback depth, secondary speed, special-teams return ability, and defensive-line size.
Background & Context: Pre-Draft Needs and Trade Activity
Entering the draft, Pittsburgh identified needs at offensive tackle, receiver, quarterback, cornerback, and special-teams returner. The front office executed three trades: a move up to acquire Bernard in the second round, a swap that sent picks 161 and 249 to Kansas City for the fifth-round Nowakowski and the 210th pick, and a later adjustment that positioned Dunker at No. 96. These maneuvers reflected General Manager Omar Khan’s intent to fill immediate gaps while preserving developmental assets.
Data & Statistics: Picks by Round and Position
- Round 1 (21): Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
- Round 2 (47): Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
- Round 3 (76): Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
- Round 3 (85): Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia
- Round 3 (96): Gennings Dunker, OT, Iowa
- Round 4 (121): Kaden Wetjen, WR/RET, Iowa
- Round 5 (169): Riley Nowakowski, TE/FB, Indiana
- Round 6 (210): Gabriel Rubio, DL, Notre Dame
- Round 7 (224): Robert Spears-Jennings, S, Oklahoma
- Round 7 (230): Eli Heidenreich, RB, Navy
Official Statements & Responses
Steele President Art Rooney II highlighted Iheanachor’s unconventional path, noting the player’s “unrealized potential.” Offensive Coordinator Brian Angelichio praised Bernard’s “passion, faith, and commitment.” Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham emphasized Everette’s “size” and “well-put-together build.” Special-teams coordinator Danny Crossman described Wetjen as “great decisions, good ball security.” Head Coach Mike McCarthy called Heidenreich’s selection a “story-telling moment” that adds “versatility” to the offense.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts expressed mixed grades: CBS Sports gave Wetjen an A+, while Bleacher Report rated the pick C, questioning the early investment in a return specialist. The “Winners and Losers” column labeled the Allar selection a “miss,” citing sloppy footwork and limited upside. Several outlets assigned the overall class a B- to C- range, noting uncertainty at quarterback, left tackle, and left guard.
On-the-Ground Reactions
Fans in Pittsburgh reacted emotionally to Heidenreich’s hometown selection, with many noting the “tear-filled moment” as he received a Terrible Towel and a hug from Commissioner Roger Goodell. Social media commentary highlighted optimism for Wetjen’s immediate special-teams impact and skepticism about Allar’s readiness to start.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the total number of picks: some report ten selections, while others list twelve draft assets. The count of Day-3 picks is consistently five, but the final class size varies between nine and ten after accounting for trades. Grades for individual players also diverge across outlets, reflecting a lack of consensus on value.
Verbatim Quotes
- “No. 1, he makes great decisions, good ball security,” — Danny Crossman, Special-Teams Coordinator
- “I think everybody in the room felt (the emotion),” — Mike McCarthy, Head Coach
- “I think the biggest thing about me is you're getting a football player on offense who can do a lot of different things,” — Eli Heidenreich, RB/WR, Navy
- “The size. When you meet (Everette), he's well put together in terms of build,” — Patrick Graham, Defensive Coordinator
- “Just his passion, his faith, his commitment, those really stood out to me,” — Brian Angelichio, Offensive Coordinator
Why It Matters
The draft addressed several positional deficits, notably reinforcing the offensive line, adding a dynamic return specialist, and expanding quarterback depth behind veteran Mason Rudolph. Successful integration of these players could influence the Steelers’ competitive window, affect salary-cap allocation, and shape offensive schematics under Mike McCarthy.
What’s Next
The Steelers will evaluate all ten rookies during summer OTAs and training camp, with particular focus on whether Wetjen earns a special-teams role, if Allar can compete for a backup quarterback slot, and how Heidenreich fits into the offensive package. Roster decisions will be finalized before the preseason, setting the stage for the 2026 season.
