Re-drafting the Steelers 2026 NFL Draft

There's nothing better after the NFL draft than some good old-fashioned snap judgments. Maybe the best example is NFL draft grades. But while those grades might be meaningless at some point, they do put the draft pundit on the record with how they feel about the picks.

Same for a re-draft. When it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers, we always do a re-draft on the Monday after draft just to go on the record as to how we would have made the picks.

First round

The original pick here was offensive tackle Max Iheanachor and while we like him as a prospect, not knowing how the rest of the draft would go, would have gone for the safer pick and automatic starter in guard Keylan Rutledge. Rutledge is the immediate Day One starting left guard at a very high level.

Second round

If we could do it all over again, we would also trade up for wide receiver Germie Bernard. Bernard is the best receiver on the board and we have high hopes for what he can add to the offense.

Third round

First up in the third round was quarterback Drew Allar. While we aren't as high on Allar as many, we recognize this is a pick that had to be made so we leave it as is. If the Steelers didn't have to roll the dice on a quarterback here, cornerback Jerod McCoy is the pick 100 times out of 100.

The second pick of the round is cornerback Daylen Everett. We don't like taking project players this year and would have gone with offensive tackle Austin Barber if the team passed on Iheanachor or guard Emmanuel Pregnon is not.

Finally in the third round we have offensive line Gennings Dunker. Dunker is a guy who was born to be a Steeler so if the hadn't address guard yet, it's an easy pick. If Rutledge or Pregnon are Steelers, our highest-rated option is defensive tackle Darnell Jackson Jr.

Fourth round

Drafting a return specialist was a risky move here but if Kaden Wetjen ends up an All-Pro, it won't matter. I'm leaving the pick but our highest-rated Steelers prospect here is linebacker Kyle Louis.