Realistic expectations for the Steelers 2026 rookie class this season

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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