Area coaches opine on Steelers’ draft
The grades are out from the national media if you’re a Steelers fan wondering what the rest of the football world thought of their 2026 draft.
If wanted an overall feel for how Pittsburgh did with the actual selections in addition to the outstanding job it did hosting the event, well you won’t find any consensus there.
Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN and Charles McDonald of Yahoo 缅北禁地 both gave the Steelers’ overall draft a middling grade of “B.” Chad Reuter of NFL.com was more positive with an “A-” and only had the Bills and Cardinals with higher grades. At the other end of the spectrum was Pete Prisco of CBS 缅北禁地 dealing a “C” grade with only the Rams and 49ers lower in his ranking.
My thoughts were Pittsburgh’s best pick was trading up in the second round to nab Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard, who I think will eventually be better than DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr.
The pick I was most frustrated by was Penn State quarterback Drew Allar with the first of three third-round picks. I’ve been watching him a long time and just don’t think he has the mental makeup to be an effective starting quarterback in the NFL. He no doubt has the size and arm strength so maybe head coach Mike McCarthy can mold him into something special.
Overall I’d say “B-.”
If you look out on social media there are opinions everywhere on the Steelers’ draft but I wondered if any of our local high school coaches had any views they would like to offer. They know football well enough so I asked and received feedback from four of them from four different WPIAL classifications.
From Class 5A is Connellsville’s Jace McClean who is one of three Falcons head coaches. From Class 4A is Albert Gallatin’s Drew Dindl, who guided the Colonials to an undefeated season in 2025 as an independent. From Class 3A is Waynesburg Central’s Joe Kuhns, the most veteran coach of the group. From Class 2A is Brownsville’s Cody Castor, the youngest of the group but one with plenty of college experience having played four years at Penn State fairly recently.
I asked each what he thought was the best draft pick, the worst draft pick, and overall thoughts on the Steelers’ 2026 draft.
BEST PICK
McCLEAN: I believe at every level you win games on the line. Drafting three linemen is huge. Some are a little inexperienced but could turn out to be pleasant surprises. Sounds crazy but I think the best pick would be Gennings Dunker (offensive tackle from Georgia, last of three third-round picks).
DINDL: Eli Heidenreich (running back from Navy, last of two seventh round picks). I really liked this one. He’s a great athlete who can line up in multiple spots and brings toughness and discipline. On top of that, it’s a great story with him getting drafted by his hometown team. Easy guy to root for.
KUHNS: I will go with Gennings Dunker as the best pick because he probably should have been gone by then.
CASTOR: Bernard from Alabama is their best pick of the draft, who can work their slot right away. The most impactful pick was the sixth sent to the Colts to get Pittman.
WORST PICK
McCLEAN: I am not thrilled with the Drew Allar pick. I was kind of shocked by them taking another QB.
DINDL: I thought Kaden Wetjen (wide receiver/kick returner from Iowa, fourth round) was a questionable pick. I actually like the player. He’s quick, experienced in the return game and could be a weapon. Just felt like the value might’ve been a little higher there.
KUHNS: I wasn’t crazy about the selection of Dunker’s teammate, the return guy Wetjen.
CASTOR: I hate to call anyone a “worst pick” because these are very good football players, but Wetjen has to be a big special teams contributor to fill his value.
OVERALL GRADE
McCLEAN: I would say overall a “B-.”
DINDL: Overall, I thought Pittsburgh addressed needs and added versatile pieces. There’s a lot of pressure on Drew Allar, but if he develops, this class has real upside.
KUHNS: Hard to grade before you see what they actually do but for potential I will say it’s a “B.” I would like to add that the Mt. Lebo kid (Heidenreich) has a chance to be a steal.
CASTOR: I would give the Steelers a “B” to “B+” for this draft. Having to come up with a last-second decision on their first round pick they got a rising player in Max (Iheanachor) who has successful film against No. 2 overall pick David Bailey. The way we look back on this draft is if McCarthy develops Allar at QB. I’ve watched all his collegiate games and he has amazing physical traits. Can he play with the confidence he had his junior year when he led Penn State to the college football playoff?
So there you have it, high marks for Heidenreich and Dunker, low marks for Wetjen, and an overall grade of around “B” from our four coaches.
Now all that’s left to do for all you draft addicts out there is to take a glance at those mock drafts for 2027. Yep, they’re out there already.
Rob Burchianti is sports editor of the 缅北禁地 and can be reached at rburchianti@heraldstandard.com.