The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is now in the books, but there’s still a lot to digest from the week that was in Indianapolis with a number of the NFL Draft’s biggest and best names.
Some players outperformed expectations from a testing perspective and on-field work, while others struggled. Some are even being criticized unfairly for body language during a podium interview, too. There’s a lot to take away and digest from the Combine, and there’s still plenty of time to do that between now and late April.
The focus should be on the names that stood out. Fortunately, NFL.com’s Nick Shook did just that, putting together an all-combine team. On that team, Shook also tabbed the best landing spots for some of the best performers. The Pittsburgh Steelers found themselves highlighted among best landing spots for three players.
Those three players? Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch, San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson and Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman.
All three players are at positions of need for the Black and Gold, and all three had terrific combine performances.
Branch is a name that’s gaining steam among the draft community. Though he is undersized at just 5085, 177 pounds, Branch can fly and is dynamic after the catch.
“Many of the top names in the 2026 WR class didn’t participate in the on-field portion at Lucas Oil Stadium. That said, Branch’s performance during his combine workout helped him emerge as one of this year’s most pro-ready prospects at the position,” Shook writes of Branch. “He succeeded in most of the drills, showing flashes of athletic ability and natural catching skills that should translate to the next level. Add in a testing profile that included a 4.35 40, 10-foot-5 broad jump, 38-inch vertical leap and 20 reps on the bench press — good for the sixth-best NGS athleticism score among combine WRs — and it’s clear Branch solidified his draft profile on Saturday.”
The size is a real concern with Branch, but the testing numbers were impressive. Our Ryan Paglia gave Branch an early Day 2 grade with special teams value, due to his work in his collegiate career returning kicks and punts. Adding Branch to the receiver room would adequately replace Calvin Austin III, at least.
Defensively, Thieneman and Johnson each put on a show at the Combine. Thieneman might be the biggest riser of the defensive backs in the draft.
He measured in at 6001, 201 pounds and clocked a 4.35 40-yard dash with a 40.5-inch vertical.
“The Oregon safety aced testing, posting a 4.35 40, a 10-foot-5 broad jump and a 41-inch vertical leap, earning Next Gen Stats’ top athleticism score (86) among safeties,” Shook writes. “He followed that up with a flawless effort in the field work, showing burst that matched his 40 time and premier polish. That’s a frightening combination for any NFL offense that has to oppose him in the near future. I loved his workout from start to finish.”
His tape at Oregon is pretty darn good, and the performance he had at Lucas Oil Stadium at the Combine was eye-opening. He’s drawing plenty of buzz coming out of the week in Indianapolis and should hear his name called in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Hang Dillon Thieneman's on-field workout in the Louvre. This was teach tape body control for each drill while doing it as fast as anyone out there.
He was a first rounder before this week. Now it's just a matter of how high https://t.co/KwUMW5AirO
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) February 28, 2026
If the Steelers, who had a formal meeting with him, want to land Thieneman, they’ll have to do so at No. 21 overall, addressing safety earlier than many might anticipate.
As for Johnson, who measured in at 6000, 193 with 30 5/8-inch arms and clocked a 4.40 40-yard dash and a 38-inch vertical, he’s a name that has been connected to the Steelers for quite some time, especially as a second-round option.
Now, we’ll see who the Steelers send to the Pro Days of Georgia, Oregon and San Diego State, and if any of the three names are brought to the South Side facility for official pre-draft visits with the Steelers.
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