Max Iheanachor OT Arizona State - B
Max is a boom or bust pick. He could be the best tackle in the draft as that is his upside. Hell, he could move to LT and still be the best tackle in the draft. Rare size, speed, and movement skills. But he could also never see the field or if he does be a disaster as he is so raw and his technique is so bad that right now he wins with athleticism. I don't think he can rely on that in the NFL. I don't hate the pick by any means I just prefer safer picks with our first round selection.
Germie Bernard WR Alabama - A-
Germie is a very safe pick imo and should immediately be our starting slot receiver. He is an exceptional blocker, A+ route runner, and has glue for hands. His top end speed is not great but he's fast enough and being a burner is not his game. High Floor type of player.
Drew Allar QB Penn State - B+
Another boom or bust pick but this time in the third round. Allar's value greatly varied by each big board you saw. His 2024 campaign was much better than his injury shortened 2025. Allar is a big of an enigma as his skillset seemed to fit in with a pro style drop back passing system. Instead he played in a RPO system that really would have been better for a run oriented passer. On top of that Allar didn't have much in the way of receiving help and ended up relying mostly on his TE's especially Tyler Warren as the receiving core really was deficient. I think the offense the Steelers will run under McCarthy will fit Allars skills much better than how Penn State used him in Happy Valley. I would not put him in as a day one starter and I wouldn't hand him anything. I would have him and Will Howard fight it out for #2 with Rodgers if he comes back or Rudolph if Rodgers doesn't come back. Let them compete.
Daylen Everette CB Georgia - A-
Daylen is kind of an under the radar kind of player. He was an A+ run support DB and only gave up 31 receptions last year. His change of direction and speed should make him versatile enough to play nickel but in the big picture his future likely will be at the outside CB position.
Gennings Dunker OL Iowa - A
A for the pick but A+ for the mullet. The more I watch film of this kid the more I like it. He is a nasty road grader in the run game and has enough strength, agility and sand in his pants to keep your QB clean. Very high floor kind of player.
Kaden Wetjen PR/KR Iowa - C+
I don't mind using a pick on a return man but I don't like the value at where we got him. I really think we could have got him pretty late on day three. That said we sured up the return game.
Riley Nowakowski FB Indiana - C
Again, I don't mind the player but I feel this too is a later day three value. Nowakowski should be able to lead block but more importantly he should be able to help in the passing game as he has very good hands.
Gabe Rubio DL Notre Dame - D
I really hope this works out but the traits aren't really there to potentially be a backup defensive lineman. He does have heavy hands and a good punch and should be decent in run defense but he doesn't offer much of anything in pass defense.
Robert Spears-Jennings S Oklahoma - B+
Decent value here on a guy with all the physical tools you look for in a DB. He should contribute on special teams and if you can get him to read and react in the passing game maybe you can get him coached up to start one day.
Eli Heidenreich RB/WR Navy - B+
I really didn't know too much about this kid predraft. Knew he was in that late day two UDFA realm. Watching the film the kid gives everything he has on the field. He is quicker than you would expect and is more agile than you would think. I feel he is a guy you might be able to design a few plays for where he comes in at RB and spread him into the slot or bring him into the slot and run a jet sweep with him. He might even have some return ability that hasn't been tapped into yet. But I do know watching how much being a Pittsburgh Steeler meant to him I am 100% cheering for him to make it!
Tomlin defense out the door will be a huge improvement
