Steelers' Rookie Class: 8-9 Locks, 1 Bubble

0:00On May 1st, the Pittsburgh Steelers just wrapped a 10-player draft class for 2026, and now they face some brutal roster cuts to squeeze. Most of these rookies onto the 53-man squad, teams almost never dumped their early picks right away, so Pittsburgh's 5-day-1 and day-2 selections, starting with first round offensive tackle. Max Iheonakor are total locks to stick around. These guys bring serious upside, like second round Whiteout, Jeremy Bernard, sliding in as the number 3 receiver behind DK Meckhaff and Michael. Pim in Junior. Then you've got a third round quarterback Drew Aller, a big arm Pinstate project, likely red-shirting under Mike McCarthy, plus cornered Dailin Everett, and guard Jennings Dunker, both eyeing starting gigs with their size and skills. Fans buzz when the Steelers grab fourth round return wizard Kate and Wetjen, some calling it a reach, since he's mostly a special team's ace for now. But his all-American returns could make him a near lock, same for tight-end-slash-fullback Riley Noelkowski, a national champ from Indiana, who's the perfect Conor Hayward replacement as a blocker and pass.

1:08Catcher. On the bubble sit, sixth round defensive tackle, Gabriel Rubio, who missed time with injury and might hit the practice squad, seventh round Pittsburgh. Kid Eli Heidenreich as a versatile gadget back in slot guy and speedy safety, Robert Spears Jennings pushing for special team snaps. Rubio's probably the odd man out in this trio. Expect Pittsburgh to trim veterans this summer and keep at least eight or nine rookies, reshaping the depth char fastest training camp heats up.