The Pittsburgh Steelers made so many selections in the 2026 NFL Draft that it was hard for all of the team’s the top prospects to receive their due in the media. But this week, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac generated noise around one of Pittsburgh’s under-the-radar rookies — cornerback Daylen Everette.
Dulac appeared to love the pick of Everette at No. 85 overall. On Thursday, the long-time Steelers insider referred to the cornerback as the best first-year player at the team’s training camp this year.
“They think they might have hit a home run with Everette, their third-round pick from Georgia,” wrote Dulac on Thursday. “He has been the best rookie at training camp, and they are putting him to the test to see if they are right.”
Everette was one of three third-round choices for the Steelers in the 2026 NFL Draft. First, they picked quarterback Drew Allar at No. 76 overall. Everette came nine selections later.
Then at No. 96 overall, the Steelers picked offensive lineman Gennings Dunker.
Steelers’ Daylen Everette Impressing at NFL Training Camp
Everette has been receiving praise for several months. The highest praise for the cornerback that supports Dulac’s argument came from head coach Mike McCarthy days into camp.
“Doesn’t look like a rookie,” McCarthy said the Everette on July 31.
First-round rookie Max Iheanachor performed well this week before parting Thursday with an injury. That makes Dulac’s claim that Everette has been the team’s top rookie all the more impressive.
Everette played four seasons at Georgia from 2022-25. He made his biggest impact on the stat sheet during his junior campaign in 2024. Everette registered 58 combined tackles, including two for loss that season. He also had three pass defenses, two forced fumbles and a sack.
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Having Everette should excite Steelers fans. NFL teams who experience long-term success hit on first-round selections almost on a yearly basis. But they also find hidden gems on Day 2 and 3.
It sounds like Everette has every bit the potential to be that for the Steelers.
The question, though, for 2026 is where will he play.
Joey Porter Jr. and Jalen Ramsey are both currently on the physically unable to play list. But the Steelers have reassured the media that each cornerback will be ready for Week 1.
Pundits expect Porter to start opposite free agent signing Jamel Dean with Ramsey mostly manning the slot.
Asante Samuel Jr. and Brandin Echols are two other veteran cornerbacks who could play a lot as well.
Injuries, though, happen every year in an NFL secondary. In addition to Porter and Ramsey, Echols didn’t practice Friday.
Everette gives the Steelers insurance at cornerback.
“Everette is a luxury now, but he is an injury or two from becoming a necessity,” wrote Steelers Depot’s Ross McCorkle. “Pittsburgh hasn’t had this much depth in many years.”
Of course, if Everette keeps performing at a high level, then there’s a scenario where he could push a veteran such as Samuel or Echols for their roles.
In the long-run, Everette also gives the Steelers a potential starter. Although the team appears to be planning to sign him to an extension, Porter is set to be a free agent in March.
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