Steelers Begin Signing 2026 Draft Class, But the Names That Matter Are Still Unsigned

Pittsburgh locked up three members of its 2026 draft class Friday, inking fourth-round wide receiver Kaden Wetjen (Iowa), sixth-round offensive tackle Gabriel Rubio (Notre Dame), and seventh-round safety Robert Spears-Jennings. Of the team's 10 draft picks, these three are the first to sign — a procedural move that nonetheless starts to clarify how the Steelers envision rebuilding their roster this offseason.

Wetjen is the most immediately interesting name of the trio, though not for the reasons traditional receiving prop markets would suggest. Over three seasons at Iowa, he caught just 23 passes for 197 yards and one touchdown — numbers that don't project starter-caliber volume on any depth chart. What the Steelers actually drafted was a return specialist: 954 punt return yards at a 17.7-yard average with four scores, plus 1,538 kickoff return yards at 27.5 per attempt. Pittsburgh selected him at 121st overall to fix a special teams unit that ranked among the league's worst in return efficiency last season. His path to fantasy or prop relevance runs entirely through return yardage, not the passing game.

The seven unsigned picks are where the real offseason story lives. First-round offensive tackle Max Iheanachor, second-round wideout Germie Bernard, third-round quarterback Drew Allar, and third-round cornerback Daylen Everette all remain without contracts. Bernard's signing will be the one to watch for Pittsburgh's passing game construction — a Day 2 receiver entering a depth chart that still lacks a clear WR1, his role directly influences how the Steelers deploy whatever quarterback is under center in 2026. Allar's signing, meanwhile, will signal whether Pittsburgh views him as a developmental arm or a genuine competition piece behind their starter.

For prop bettors, the immediate impact of Friday's signings is minimal. Wetjen won't move passing or receiving market lines — he's a special teams asset, not a target-share player. But as Bernard and Iheanachor eventually sign and report to OTAs, watch how Pittsburgh's offense is constructed around them. A healthy offensive line and a functional WR2 behind their top option could meaningfully lift the Steelers' team passing total from its 2025 basement levels. Pittsburgh ranked 28th in passing yards per game last season. If this draft class shores up both tackle spots and adds legitimate receiving depth, the under on Pittsburgh's team passing total — which opened conservatively for 2026 — may erode faster than the market expects by the time training camp opens.