Steelers 2026 – Misryoum breaks down Steelers’ 2026 Draft class with bold rookie-season predictions, from Max Iheanachor’s timeline to special-teams impact.
The Pittsburgh Steelers still have plenty of questions hanging over them, but their 2026 NFL Draft haul gives the franchise a chance to reshape the conversation—at least on the field.
Misryoum is taking a bold look at that rookie class and what it could realistically deliver during the first season.. After 10 selections. Pittsburgh used seven picks on offense. adding players across the skill positions and the trenches. plus defensive reinforcements at cornerback. defensive tackle. and safety.
The offensive rookies: patience, targets, and role clarity
The biggest theme in Misryoum’s predictions is that not every rookie will arrive ready to produce immediately.. OT Max Iheanachor is the clearest example.. Talent is not in dispute. but the Steelers likely won’t treat him as a quick fix for the tackle spot.. The more realistic path is “development first. ” with fewer than five starts in his debut season. even if the plan is for him to become a plus starter eventually.
On the receiving end, WR Germie Bernard’s numbers could be limited early.. If the Steelers’ quarterback situation doesn’t stabilize—whether that means a different starter under center or a rotation that doesn’t prioritize his style of route-running—then Misryoum expects his rookie role to be constrained. including a stat line that lands under 40 catches.
QB Drew Allar is built for a long runway, not a snap-first rookie season.. Misryoum’s bold prediction has him taking no meaningful reps in meaningful game situations. largely because the situation around the position would need to shift for him to get real opportunities.. In other words: Allar’s ceiling might be high, but the first step is still earning the right moment.
Defense and depth: where impact can actually show up
Cornerback Daylen Everette is another Misryoum “don’t count on immediate starts” call. Pittsburgh has options at the position with established talent already in the mix, leaving Everette’s most likely avenue through sub-packages and special teams rather than consistent starting snaps.
Even at defensive tackle, the Steelers’ development priorities may be felt quickly. Gabriel Rubio’s draft story doesn’t scream “instant rotation player,” and Misryoum’s prediction mirrors that reality: he likely won’t make the roster, though he could remain part of Pittsburgh’s longer-term plans.
Players set up for defined roles
Not every rookie needs to be a headline-maker to matter. and Misryoum’s most reliable predictions tend to focus on clearer job descriptions.. OT Gennings Dunker fits that mold.. Misryoum expects him to become a mid-season starter—an arc that usually favors players who can win the day at run-blocking and pass-protection fundamentals without needing weeks of adjustment.
WR Kaden Wetjen, meanwhile, may find his path to the stat sheet through special teams.. Misryoum’s bold call: he’ll score a special-teams touchdown.. It’s the type of impact that can show up quickly because returners and coverage breakers are often entrusted with risk that coaches can’t ignore once the player demonstrates reliability.
TE Riley Nowakowski also looks like a rookie who can earn steady involvement.. Rather than being framed as a superstar target. Misryoum expects him to land as a consistent presence as a blocker and a dependable passing option—especially as a safety-valve role that quarterbacks use when coverage compresses and quick completions become essential.
The “hit-rate” question: what these predictions say about the Steelers
Misryoum’s boldness here isn’t just about who will perform—it’s about how Pittsburgh is likely managing its rookie class.. When a team loads up on offense but expects mixed immediate production. it often signals two things: first. the Steelers want to keep building the structural pieces for the future. and second. they expect certain positions to require seasoning before they can carry full-game responsibility.
From a fan perspective, that’s a reality check.. Steelers supporters may want instant answers, especially after seasons where criticism has found a home.. But the draft is rarely a “plug-and-play” event for every player. and Pittsburgh’s first-year roles could be more about reducing risk—getting pressure on quarterbacks. stabilizing blocks. and finding weekly matchups—than chasing highlight stats.
Looking ahead: how the rookie season could shape 2026
If Misryoum’s predictions land close to the mark. the Steelers’ rookie class will still serve its purpose even without constant fireworks.. Iheanachor’s measured workload would suggest the team trusts its coaching staff to develop offensive line talent properly.. Allar staying off the field would indicate the organization prefers readiness over rushing a developmental quarterback.
Meanwhile. the defensive rookies’ likely constraints—Everette’s limited snaps and Rubio’s roster uncertainty—could push responsibility onto the players who are already set up for defined involvement.. Dunker. Wetjen. and Nowakowski are the names Misryoum would watch most closely because their roles offer the clearest paths to meaningful snaps. game-to-game impact. and visible progress.
In the end, Pittsburgh’s success with this class may not be measured only by who starts Week 1. It will be measured by who becomes difficult to ignore by the middle of the season—and how quickly rookies turn into pieces the Steelers can build around.