Happy Friday, and I hope yinz are doing well.
We’re a couple of weeks past the 2026 NFL Draft, and the Steelers’ rookie class took the field for the first time earlier today. Rookie minicamp started Friday and runs through Sunday. All 10 of the Steelers’ draft picks, plus a handful of UDFAs and tryout players will be on the field this weekend.
Drew Allar will be the only one quarterback, so Mike McCarthy will get plenty of reps to see his third-round pick in action. He’ll be throwing to other rookies like Germie Bernard, Kaden Wetjen and Eli Heidenreich, all of whom generated some immediate hype coming out of the draft. These practices don’t mean too much, but it will be nice for the coaching staff to see some of its newest players in action.
Off the field, the Steelers continue to be enveloped in the Aaron Rodgers storylines. It was reported on Thursday that Rodgers plans to visit Pittsburgh this weekend, potentially signing a contract for the 2026 season in the process. However, there’s been some conflicting reporting since then with Mark Kaboly and Tom Pelissero saying the Steelers have no meetings scheduled with Rodgers. And Omar Khan said Friday morning that he didn’t know of Rodgers’ whereabouts.
As always, we’re here with you throughout the weekend for whatever news comes our way.
Have a safe and happy weekend.
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Peace and love, peace and love!
1 – Will any tryout players from rookie minicamp will Pittsburgh sign to its 91-man offseason roster?
2 – How many of the Steelers’ 10 draft picks will make the 53-man roster?
3 – Would you prefer TE Lake McRee (2026 UDFA) or recently signed TE Jaheim Bell to make the Steelers’ 53-man roster?
4 – Do you expect the Steelers to sign any UFL players? (UFL regular season ends May 31)
5 – Among Chris Boswell, Joey Porter Jr., Nick Herbig and Darnell Washington, who receives a contract extension first?
Recap: First Weekend of May 2026: Steelers Friday Night Five Questions
The Steelers’ picks are in!
Q1: On a scale from 1 (bad) to 10 (good), how satisfied are you with the Steelers’ draft class?
Overall, Steelers Depot respondents are positive, if not ecstatic, about the Steelers’ 2026 draft class. Some of those players may help put the Steelers’ house into order, such as Kaden Wetjen filling the kick- and punt-return jobs. Longtime respondent Ted Webb observed, “I like to judge drafts after like 3-4 years to see who may get a 2nd contract, but I know that’s what we do, judge drafts right after. I’ll say 7.”
Q2: Who was your favorite Steelers selection from last week?
Respondents named four of the 10 Steelers draft picks as their favorite. Local favorite Eli Heidenreich received three votes. Receiver Germie Bernard got four. But Gennings Dunker, with his signature red mullet, is the clear winner with seven mentions. Drew Allar got one vote, and was the only player named as a favorite and a least favorite. A couple respondents cast two votes, like Lucky Beagle: “Bernard and Dunker for need and draft position.”
Q3: Who was your least favorite Steelers selection from last week?
The least favorite was almost a slam dunk with DL Gabriel Rubio getting eight votes. Drew Allar received three. And Max Iheanachor and Kaden Wetjen had one apiece. Lucky Beagle captured the sentiment that our least favorite picks were ones that just came too early: “Allar at least 2 picks too soon, Rubio a round too soon if drafted, Wetjen a round too soon.”
Q4: At 21st overall, would you have selected Max Iheanachor? If not, who?
A third of the respondents would have selected Max Iheanachor. But almost half preferred safety Dillon Thieneman, whom the Bears took 25th overall. A couple would have gone with wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., whom the Jets selected 30th overall. And one wanted DT Kayden McDonald, whom Houston took in the second round. Surprisingly, no one mentioned guard Keylan Rutledge, the second guard picked after Vega Ioane. Houston also selected him. But most understood the Steelers taking Icheanachor, like Brian Tollini; “I have no issues with the pick, I probably would have taken Thieneman.”
Q5: What was your biggest takeaway from Pittsburgh hosting the draft? Would you call it a success?
The consensus is that Pittsburgh did a great job hosting the 2026 NFL draft. Ginko18 wrote, “Pittsburgh represented itself very well. Draft has come a LONG way since the days of Madison Square Garden, Radio City, and even Chicago in 2015 & 2016 (at all of these locations). Hope to see other big events there.” And Steeler fever: “Record crowd, went off without a hitch. Put the city in a good light nationally. And the selection of hometown, Navy kid, was a perfect, sentimental, feel-good ending. Almost, ahem, like it was scripted.”
Consensus vs. Correct Answers
Questions SD Consensus Correct Answers
Draft satisfaction grade? 7/10 Up to you!
Favorite pick? Gennings Dunker Up to you!
Least favorite pick? Gabriel Rubio Up to you!
Your first-round pick? Dillon Thieneman Up to you!
Biggest draft takeaway? Pittsburgh Did Well Up to you!
Rookie minicamp began Friday and ends Sunday.
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