The Pittsburgh Steelers got an up-close look at their draft class during rookie minicamp and mandatory minicamp. As head coach Mike McCarthy ushers in a new era of Steelers football, the team will soon report to Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., for training camp. The offseason program gave Pittsburgh an early opportunity to evaluate its roster and identify which rookies may be ahead of the curve. The NFL is filled with elite talent, making dependable rookie contributors invaluable. How quickly this draft class develops could play a significant role in shaping the Steelers' 2026 season.
Here are four Steelers rookies who emerged from minicamp with increased trust from coaches, teammates, and fans.
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Germie Bernard
If one rookie consistently generated buzz throughout minicamp, it was former Alabama standout Germie Bernard. His work ethic and professionalism have impressed the coaching staff from the start.
Bernard has lined up at multiple receiver positions, showcasing the versatility that made him an intriguing draft prospect. While he can contribute throughout the formation, he could ultimately emerge as a strong option in the slot as Pittsburgh's WR3.
He will battle Roman Wilson for that role during training camp. In a Mike McCarthy offense, Bernard should have plenty of opportunities to earn the trust of his quarterback and carve out a meaningful role.
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Daylen Everette
It's one thing to stand out during minicamp for Daylen Everette. It's another to begin pushing established veterans for playing time.
Rookie cornerback Daylen Everette has already challenged Asante Samuel Jr. and Brandin Echols for the nickel cornerback role. As with any offseason storyline, it's important to remember that this is still football in shorts. However, Everette has earned praise throughout the spring and appears to be bringing the competitive mentality that made him successful at Georgia to Pittsburgh.
Gennings Dunker
Another offensive rookie earning rave reviews is Gennings Dunker. Beyond his play, he has quickly become a fan favorite thanks to his personality and signature mullet. Anyone who watched the NFL Scouting Combine likely remembers his widely shared 40-yard dash performance.
More importantly, Dunker's work ethic and coachability have drawn praise from the coaching staff. Most notably, 93.7 The Fan reported that he has been "sprinting" from drill to drill throughout practice sessions. That relentless approach could prove critical as he competes for a starting job during training camp.
Kaden Wetjen
Special teams coordinator Danny Crossman highlighted Kaden Wetjen's catch-run-cut ability after the draft slection, a skill set that could make him the frontrunner for Pittsburgh's return specialist duties.
Wetjen has also caught the attention of former Steelers offensive lineman Trai Essex, who believes the rookie could make one of the earliest impacts from this draft class. If there is one area where a young player can quickly earn trust and build momentum, it's on special teams, and Wetjen appears to be doing exactly that.
