Charlie Campbell
Steelers Rookie Forecast 2026
Solid Starter
Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama – Round 2 
The Steelers added Aaron Rodgers, another big outside receiver, with the trade of Michael Pittman Jr. Between Pittman and D.K. Metcalf, Pittsburgh has a pair of twin towers to prove size and physiacality mismatches on the outside. In the second round, they added another receiver that can rotate with them in Bernard, and he also could line up as a slot receiver to give the Steelers a talented trio for Rodgers next season.
For the NFL, Bernard may not ever become a team’s No.1 wide receiver, but he could be a very good No.2 receiver. Bernard is a polished receiver who does everything well. He is a smooth route-runner who doesn’t take extra steps in and out of his breaks. He has enough quickness through the route with shiftiness to generate separation from press coverage. For Alabama, Bernard used his route-running and quickness to consistently generate separation. Bernard can work out of the slot or as an outside receiver.
Bernard has natural hands and is astute enough to put his hands up late to not tip off defensive backs that the ball is coming. He tracks the ball well and has advanced body control to adjust to the ball while making acrobatic catches along the sideline. Even though he is not a big wideout, Bernard is skilled at making catches around coverage to win on 50-50 balls. He has very good concentration and plays very poised when covered with passes coming his direction.
Bernard is not a true No.1 receiver because he lacks game-breaking speed and is not overly big or physical. As it stands with the injury, he could go as high as the third round and probably won’t slip out of the fourth round. In the NFL, he could become a solid starter and a quality No.2 receiver. Bernard would be best paired with a true No. 1 receiver, but in his role, he could be a real asset to his offense with solid, dependable play.
Bernard will have to beat out Roman Wilson, A.T. Perry, Ben Skowronek, and fellow rookie Kaden Wetjen. That should be doable for Bernard, and I could see him emerging as a solid starter quickly in his NFL career.
2025: Derrick Harmon, DT
2024: Roman Wilson, WR
2023: Keeanu Benton, DT
2022: Kenny Pickett, QB
2021: Dan Moore, OT
2020: Alex Highsmith, OLB
2019: Diontae Johnson, WR
2018: James Washington, WR
2017: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR
2016: Artie Burns, CB
2015: Sammie Coates, WR
2014: Stephon Tuitt, DE
2013: Markus Wheaton, WR
Most Likely To Bust
Drew Allar, QB, Penn State – Round 3 
Aaron Rodgers re-signed, and the Steelers have some veteran backups, but Rodgers is not a long-term starter, so it wasn’t a shock when Pittsburgh took a quarterback on the second day of the 2026 NFL Draft. Allar flashed during his time with Penn State, showing NFL arm talent, but he lacks passing instincts and was inconsistent in college.
For the NFL, there are areas that Allar needs to improve. The first point of emphasis will be field vision. Allar needs to improve on moving his eyes and working through his progressions. He locks onto his primary read too often, but that isn’t all his fault, as his offense runs a lot of plays with a quick pass after the ball is snapped. Because of this emphasis on throwing to the primary read, Allar will also force some throws into coverage. Allar gets confused and tricked by coverage at times, so that is something he will need to get better at identifying for the next level. Allar’s feet will need work, as he does not follow through on many throws. While he can move around some, Allar will never be a true running threat in the NFL.
The Steelers need a long-term starter to replace Rodgers, and Allar will get every opportunity to prove that he is the guy. However, I think his lack of instincts will keep him out as a backup only. Third-round picks are expected to start out as backups and develop into starters, but I could see Allar falling short of that. Of Pittsburgh’s early-round picks, I think Allar has the most bust potential.
2025: Kaleb Johnson, RB
2024: Zach Frazier, C
2023: Broderick Jones, OT
2022: DeMarvin Leal, DT
2021: Pat Freiermuth, TE
2020: Anthony McFarland, RB
2019: Justin Layne, CB
2018: Mason Rudolph, QB
2017: James Conner, RB
2016: Sean Davis, CB/S
2015: Senquez Golson, CB
2014: Dri Archer, RB/WR
2013: Le’Veon Bell, RB
Potential Boom Pick
Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State – Round 1 
The Steelers have had offensive line issues over recent years, and for the third time in four years, they drafted an offensive tackle in the first round. With Broderick Jones’ health an uncertainty, Pittsburgh added a tackle option to go with Troy Fautanu. Iheanachor is a little raw, but he has a good skill set with a ton of upside for the NFL.
As a run blocker, Iheanachor gets after defenders with power at the point of attack. With serious strength and physicality, Iheanachor will knock them back and reset the line of scrimmage with brute physicality. He has heavy hands, and defenders are in trouble when he latches onto them. Iheanachor can flat-out knock defenders off the ball and open up gaps for his back. He can generate movement in the ground game to supply some excellent lanes for his backs. Aside from being able to play power man, Iheanachor is quick to the second level and packs a punch when he gets there. Iheanachor is a nasty run blocker that will be an asset in the ground game at the pro level.
As a pass blocker, Iheanachor has talent, but he needs development for the NFL. Despite being such a large offensive lineman, he has quickness and movement ability to match up against speed rushers. His strength and length allow him to sustain blocks well to keep edge defenders from turning the corner. With his weight and strength, Iheanachor is able to anchor and hold up against bull rushes. However, Iheanachor has problems with speed rushers around the corner. They can get a step and leverage on him to beat him to the quarterback. Smaller rushers that can bend and get underneath him give him problems as well. Iheanachor plays too high in pass pro, and that leads to the issues. Iheanachor has problems recovering once beaten. His footwork and knee bend are not consistent, and that leads to him giving up some pressures. Thus, Iheanachor is a work in progress as a pass protector for the NFL. But the skill set is there for him to be developed into a starting right tackle.
When the Steelers have Jones back, Iheanachor or Troy Fautanu could kick inside to guard while also providing the ability to kick out to tackle if there is an injury. If Pittsburgh develops Iheanachor well, I think he could be a very good right tackle in the NFL and has boom pick potential.
2025: None
2024: Troy Fautanu, OT
2023: Joey Porter Jr., CB
2022: George Pickens, WR
2021: Najee Harris, RB
2020: Chase Claypool, WR
2019: Devin Bush, LB
2018: Terrell Edmunds, S
2017: T.J. Watt, LB
2016: Javon Hargrave, DT
2015: Bud Dupree, LB
2014: Ryan Shazier, LB
2013: Jarvis Jones, LB
Future Depth Player
Kaden Wetjen, WR, Iowa – Round 4 
If Wetjen had gone to a different school that featured more of a passing attack, he could have been a day-two pick, as Wetjen is explosive and dynamic with the ball in his hands. On top of flashing dangerous ability as a receiver, Wetjen could be a superb returner on special teams for the Steelers. Wetjen may never become a starting receiver, but he could be a good No. 4 or 5 receiver who is a valuable contributor on special teams.
2025: Jack Sawyer, DE
2024: Mason McCormick, G
2023: Darnell Washington, TE
2022: Calvin Austin, WR
2021: Quincy Roche, OLB
2020: Kevin Dotson, G
2019: Benny Snell, RB
2018: Jaylen Samuels, RB
2017: Cam Sutton, CB
2016: Tyler Matakevich, LB
2015: Doran Grant, CB
2014: Wesley Johnson, OT
2013: Shamarko Thomas, S
Walt