Grading each of the Steelers picks on Day Three of the 2026 NFL Draft

The 2026 NFL Draft is in the books and while the work for the Pittsburgh Steelers is far from over with undrafted free agents up next, we wanted to take a look back at the five picks the Steelers made on Day Three and give our thoughts on the players and hand out some grades.

4) Kaden Wetjen WR/RETURNER - Iowa

While we appreciate the Steelers wanting to bring in a player who can dominate in the return game, doing it in the fourth round is a risky move. Especially when you consider the wide receiver depth chart is already crowded and adding Wetjen means he's going to not only be called on to return punts and kicks but might actually have to play some wide receiver as well.

Grade: C

5) Riley Nowakowski TE/FB -Indiana

The NFL Draft consensus board had Nowakowski as the 220th-ranked player. The Steelers needed a tight end but Nowakowski offers little beyond blocking as a sort of undersized hybrid player and feels like the team's attempt to replace Connor Heyward with another Connor Heyward.

Grade: C-

6) Gabriel Rubio DL - Notre Dame

This pick made no sense. Yes, the Steelers need depth along the defensive line. But Rubio was awful last year. In fact, he's never been very good. And he missed the last half of the 2025 season with a back injury. He isn't even ranked on the consensus big board that lists over 600 players. We will be shocked if he makes the team.

Grade: F

7) Robert Spears-Jennings S - Oklahoma

Spears-Jennings is a somewhat limited player at safety but what he does, stuff the run, he does at a very high level. His physicality and straight-line speed means he will at minimum be a star on special teams but we can see him as an early -down run stopper.

Grade: B+

7) Eli Heidenreich RB/WR - Navy

There was no better way for the Steelers to finish the draft than by picking Heidenreich. A Pittsburgh native, Heidenreich's addition is far more than ceremonial. He's a ridiculously good athlete and was highly productive given the scheme he played in. Even if he ends up on the practice squad at the start of the year, this pick is a win.