Steelers' 2026 Draft Class Finally Shows Its Promise in Preseason Finale
The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2026 draft class entered the NFL with a rocky start, but Thursday night's preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills offered a glimpse of what general manager Omar Khan's picks can do on the field.
After a draft day that saw the Philadelphia Eagles leapfrog Pittsburgh to snag the Steelers' preferred receiver, the rookie class faced skepticism from analysts. Pro Football Focus graded the haul a C+, and NFL.com ranked it 23rd overall. But against the Bills, several first-year players stepped up in meaningful ways.
First-Round Pick Max Iheanachor Makes His Debut
Max Iheanachor, the team's eventual first-round selection, missed the first two preseason games with a neck injury. He finally saw action against Buffalo, showing flashes of the potential that made him a top pick despite some rust.
“It was fun going out there with the guys, being back,” Iheanachor said. “I only had two practices. Stuff didn't go as planned out there, just gotta learn from it and prepare better for the next game or for when my next opportunity comes, and just keep getting better. I'm now healthy, so I've just got to keep getting better in practice.”
Iheanachor likely won't crack the starting lineup before the regular season, but he positioned himself as a viable option should Dylan Cook struggle. He acknowledged areas for improvement, particularly on a sack where he lunged at the quarterback.
Germie Bernard Turns One Touch Into a Touchdown
Wide receiver Germie Bernard had just one touch in the contest, but he made it count. He took a swing pass from quarterback Will Howard, broke through two Buffalo defenders, and scored.
Bernard has been one of the few rookies to impress consistently throughout training camp. His tackle-breaking ability, a hallmark of his college career, was on full display.
“Throughout the draft process, when anybody would ask, I would always say my strength is run after the catch, and I was able to showcase that throughout these past three games,” Bernard said.
Drew Allar Shows Growth Under Mike McCarthy's Tutelage
Third-round pick Drew Allar came to Pittsburgh with a reputation for inconsistency at Penn State. Head coach Mike McCarthy has worked extensively on the quarterback's footwork and decision-making this summer.
Allar wasn't spectacular against Buffalo, falling short on a last-minute game-winning drive attempt. But he showed surprising consistency, handling significant pass rush and delivering catchable balls despite drops and limited separation from receivers. He never put the ball in harm's way.
Allar compared this preseason to his freshman year at Penn State, when he felt out of place as a 17-year-old facing grown men.
“I'm sure [James] Franklin would say that, as well. That was great for me to go through because after that, you just have to have that self-belief,” Allar said. “For me, I really rely on preparation to give me confidence, so whenever I'm thrust into a practice or a preseason game like this, I go in feeling like and know that I belong, because I know the work I put in.”
Iowa's Gennings Dunker Adjusts to New Role
Gennings Dunker, the third of Pittsburgh's three third-round picks, hails from Iowa. He's navigating a triple transition: from college to the NFL, from a run-first offense to a pass-heavy scheme, and from tackle to guard.
Thursday night showed both the struggles and the progress. Dunker received extensive reps against Buffalo and credited his teammates for helping him through the learning process.
“It was a lot of fun,” Dunker said. “There were a lot of things that went OK and some things that didn't go to well. It was nice having the other guys helping me out. Mason, Troy and Spence and Fraz were watching all my reps and giving me good feedback.”
Despite some misadventures in pass protection, Dunker and Iheanachor helped anchor the Steelers' best rushing performance of the preseason. The team ran 23 times for 97 yards, averaging 4.2 yards per carry.
Seventh-Round Pick Eli Heidenreich Finds His Footing
Eli Heidenreich, a slot back and receiver at Navy, was drafted in the seventh round and converted to running back. The transition from a service academy to the NFL hasn't been smooth, but Thursday offered a breakthrough.
On a third-quarter drive, Heidenreich carried the ball six times, including a touchdown run behind Iheanachor's blocking.
“I think it started up front,” Heidenreich said. “As a runner, I can pretty confidently say that there was more push from the big guys today. They looked real good tonight and it was fun running behind them.”
Heidenreich has been working on traditional running and pass protection, skills he didn't need at Navy.
“I've really started to build that skillset necessary to be a running back at this level,” he said. “The two things that I didn't do at Navy is running traditional runs in the NFL and then pass protection. That's something I've really been working on with Coach Chin[young] and the other guys in the room.”
Kaden Wetjen Caps the Night With a Punt Return Score
Fourth-round pick Kaden Wetjen, perhaps the most criticized selection of Khan's class, finally broke free. He returned a punt for a touchdown late in the game, fulfilling a goal he set for the preseason.
“It felt great,” Wetjen said. “That was the whole goal of preseason, to get an offensive and a special teams touchdown. It was kind of last second, but it felt good.”
The Steelers wrap up their preseason Friday, shifting focus from player development to winning games that matter. While the final verdict on this draft class won't come for years, Thursday night offered the first real sign that Khan's picks can deliver at the NFL level.