PITTSBURGH -- The 2026 NFL draft wrapped up on Saturday after three days in Pittsburgh.
With their first pick, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor at No. 21.
Here's a look at the Steelers' selections and what you need to know about them:
Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart
Round 1, No. 21 overall: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
My take: The Steelers had their sights on wide receiver Makai Lemon when the Philadelphia Eagles jumped them to snag the USC product, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. As a result, Pittsburgh quickly pivoted to an offensive lineman who doesn't have extensive experience playing the sport. Iheanachor is a prospect with a huge upside, but the offensive line coaching staff must continue his development.
He became a full-time right tackle for the Sun Devils in 2024 and made significant strides in pass blocking over the past two seasons, something that will come in handy if he winds up blocking for 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers in the 2026 season.
Will he start as a rookie?: Don't rule it out. The biggest question affecting this projection is Broderick Jones' health. The 2023 first-round pick is recovering from a season-ending neck injury and surgery, and his timeline to return is murky. The Steelers got a boost from former undrafted free agent Dylan Cook when Jones went down a year ago, but they could look to upgrade the position if Iheanachor develops quickly.
What we're hearing about Iheanachor: "He won through the process. I mean, he really did. He won everywhere he was. The Senior Bowl, the combine, the interaction we had through our Zooms. It just felt right." -- Steelers general manager Omar Khan on when Iheanachor made an impression on the organization. The Steelers didn't host Iheanachor on a visit before drafting him, a rarity in recent seasons for the franchise.
Check out some of the top highlights from Penn State's Drew Allar.
Round 2, No. 47: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
My take: For the second time this offseason a trade with the Colts yielded a badly needed wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers. A day after narrowly missing out on WR Makai Lemon, the Steelers traded up from No. 53 to No. 47 to snag Bernard, a versatile receiver who had a career-high seven touchdown receptions last season. Not only can Bernard play in the slot, but offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio stressed Bernard's ability to play inside and outside. Bernard also returned kicks at Washington and Michigan State.
The need Bernard fills: Despite adding former Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr. earlier this offseason, the position continued to be one of the Steelers' biggest needs in this draft because the room lacked depth behind Pittman and DK Metcalf. Bernard's solid build makes him a good fit in the physical AFC North, and he's a detailed route runner. Both of those traits are ones that Rodgers, who remains undecided on his future, likes in his receivers.
Round 3, No. 76: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
My take: The Steelers were proactive at the quarterback position as they await word from Rodgers, and quarterbacks coach Tom Arth said he doesn't think picking Allar will affect Rodgers' decision. Picking Allar signals the Steelers' belief in McCarthy's ability to develop quarterbacks because Allar is far from a finished product. But at 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds with big hands and long arms, Allar has the measurables valued by the veteran coach. The quarterback guru, though, will have his work cut out for him as he'll have to work to develop both Allar and 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard.
What we're hearing about Allar: "He's a big, strong physical player. He has big hands. He has a strong arm. He's built to last. And I think that when you're talking about playing in the elements and playing the physical brand football that it is in the AFC North, you need a guy like that. And Drew certainly fits that." -- Arth on Allar's fit as an AFC North quarterback.
Round 3, No. 85: Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia
My take: The Steelers had a glaring need to find a consistent cornerback to play opposite of Joey Porter Jr., and while Everette played outside corner at Georgia, he also took snaps inside at slot and nickel at the Senior Bowl. His size at 6-1 and versatility in playing both made him valuable to the Steelers. He also said he played a significant amount of press man-to-man coverage for the Bulldogs, something else that made him an attractive target for Pittsburgh.
What we're hearing from Everette: "I feel like they play a real physical brand of football, especially with the Steel Curtain and things along that. So I pride my game on physicality, so I think I'll fit right into that." -- Everette explaining why he believes he's a good fit in Pittsburgh.
Round 3, No. 96: Gennings Dunker, OT, Iowa
My take: Though the Steelers have expressed confidence in 2023 seventh-round pick Spencer Anderson in the wake of Isaac Seumalo's departure in free agency, their decision to trade up with Seattle to snag Dunker suggests they felt a need to upgrade the position. Dunker was a tackle throughout his college career, but he worked at guard during the Senior Bowl, and new Steelers offensive line coach James Campen said the organization views Dunker as a guard first and tackle second.
What they're saying about Dunker: "I'm a country boy myself, so I've done the hay bale toss. I was not a champion, far from it. ... But, yeah, of course it does. I mean, it's hip flexion. It's like doing a power clean, and you got to correlate everything with your knees all the way up to your upper body. And when you're a hay bale champion, you're always punching. So he's got pass-blocking reps. I'm sure he's been doing that for a long time." -- Steelers offensive line coach James Campen on how Dunker's background as a champion hay bale tosser correlates with being an offensive lineman.
Round 4, No. 121: Kaden Wetjen, WR, Iowa
My take: The Steelers might have reached on Wetjen, a return specialist and slot receiver, by using a fourth-round pick on the Iowa prospect. But after losing Calvin Austin III and Kenneth Gainwell in free agency, the Steelers had a void to fill at returner.
Wetjen's 26.8-yard punt return average led FBS, and he was a two-time Big Ten return specialist of the year. Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Crossman said Wetjen was their highest-rated dual return specialist, and it was important to land him with the league's continued implementation of the dynamic kick return.
Round 5, No. 169: Riley Nowakowski, FB, Indiana
My take: Nowakowski is an XL version of Connor Heyward, who left for the Raiders in free agency, and the Steelers plan to use Nowakowski as such. Listed as a tight end at Indiana, Nowakowski will be a fullback first, Steelers running backs coach Ramon Chinyoung said Saturday. Like many of the Steelers' other picks, Nowakowski's biggest strength is his flexibility. In college, he lined up as an inline tight end, fullback and other spots in the backfield, and he earned a reputation as a fierce lead blocker.
Round 6, No. 210: Gabriel Rubio, DT, Notre Dame
My take: A non-NFL combine invite, Rubio is the Steelers' most under-the-radar pick of the draft so far. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said Rubio was still plenty noticeable when he and the scouts watched Notre Dame games because of Rubio's 6-5 frame. Once again, versatility is the name of the game. Rubio is capable of playing inside and outside on the defensive line, and Graham said he could also make for a good field goal blocker with his length.
Round 7, No. 224: Robert Spears-Jennings, S, Oklahoma
My take: A physical and speedy safety, Spears-Jennings adds to the Steelers' defensive back depth. A two-year starter with a low missed tackle rate, Spears-Jennings was projected to go higher than the seventh round, so the Steelers staff was surprised that he was available so late. Though he might not be ready to play in an NFL defense right away, he could be a good addition to the Steelers' special teams early on.
Round 7, No. 230: Eli Heidenreich, RB, Navy
My take: The Steelers put a bow on coach Mike McCarthy's first draft by fittingly selecting a Pittsburgh native with their final pick.
Heidenreich was a versatile skill position player in Navy's triple option scheme, and though he's listed as a running back, as a senior, he set a school single-season record with 941 receiving yards and 51 receptions. The Steelers have continued to prioritize players who can play multiple positions, and Heidenreich fits that mold.