Realistic expectations for the Steelers 2026 rookie class this season
· Yahoo Sports
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.
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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