The Pittsburgh Steelers made 10 selections during the 2026 NFL Draft, with many of them drawing strong reactions from the fanbase. Whether that was due to the intrigue surrounding the pick (offensive tackle Max Iheanachor), the position they played (quarterback Drew Allar), their unique personality (guard Gennings Dunker), or because of their hometown ties (offensive weapon Eli Heidenreich), there were plenty of selections that occupied Steeler Nation’s attention.
One player that has flown under the radar, however, is Georgia cornerback Daylen Everette, selected 85th overall in the third round. Everette’s physicality and knack for generating timely turnovers stood out enough on his tape for the Steelers to invest significant draft capital to acquire him. Although he enters a bit of a crowded defensive back room, his strong showing so far in OTAs could help his chances of carving out a role on defense during his rookie season.
Pittsburgh’s defensive backs coach and defensive pass game coordinator, Jason Simmons, spoke highly of the young corner on Wednesday, praising his effort and coachability.
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“When I think about him, I think about humility,” Simmons said. “You know, he’s played in a lot of big games coming from Georgia. Let’s just be honest, that guy has played in SEC Championships, National Championships, and you talk about [being] receptive to coaching? He absolutely is. He is a sponge. He’s a bright guy, and the next thing is his poise as well. And to be a young guy, well, and I go up and down to realize when you say you’re going against a quality receiver, like DK Metcalf, he doesn’t let that take him out of his technique, and I love the confidence.”
Simmons seems to be echoing the reports that Everette has stood out so far during OTAs. The third-round pick played over 2,400 snaps during his collegiate career and posted a 9.88 relative athletic score during the pre-draft process, blending experience with pure athletic talent.
The Steelers will have some tough decisions to make with their secondary. Who will play where? And how much does everyone play?
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Heading into the offseason and following free agency, the nickel corner spot appeared to be the softest spot in the cornerback room. Everette has limited experience playing in the slot (123 snaps in four years), and reports suggest that Jalen Ramsey will lead the way in what the Steelers coaching staff is calling the “star” position. Jaquan Brisker could also see snaps in this role, as could Brandin Echols.
His best bet to make an impact early might be on the outside. He’ll be a candidate to be the third outside corner on the team behind Joey Porter Jr. and Jamel Dean, but will have to beat out Echols and Asante Samuel Jr. to do so. If Everette continues his strong summer showing into training camp and proves to be a quick study, it might become difficult for the Steelers not to give him a legitimate role in his rookie season.
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