The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2026 NFL Draft class filled many holes the team had question marks about. It was highlighted by adding two offensive linemen in Max Iheanachor and Gennings Dunker to an already solid unit. They'll have some shuffling around to do, but it shouldn't be hard to figure out. They also got a raw, athletic cornerback in Daylen Everette, adding him to an established group of veterans. Some of the picks were definitely considered as reaches, but in a draft class that was already considered weak, that's going to happen. One questionable reach in particular was eyebrow-raising to the media, given the positional value of the selection.
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Kaden Wetjen is set to return a kick during his time at the University of Iowa.
With their fourth-round selection, the Steelers took Iowa wide receiver Kaden Wetjen. Wetjen is a return specialist with very little production at wide receiver. The franchise has lacked a good return man for quite some time now. Calvin Austin III previously filled that role and had his moments, but he was far too inconsistent. Now Wetjen will likely fill that role, but the move sparked controversy over selecting a return specialist with a fourth-round pick.
Steelers insider Mark Kaboly recently appeared on his show, Kaboly and Mack, where he and co-host Chris Mack discussed the Steelers' draft. Kaboly claimed he heard that the team took Wetjen so high because he would be gone shortly after. Claiming multiple teams were very interested right afterward, forcing the Steelers to jump the gun.
"I was able to glance some information that the reason why they potentially took him was 'cause he was gonna be gone not long after that," Kaboly said. "There was multiple teams very interested in him right afterward, so they felt the need to do it then. And they really like the guy, of course, but whatever."
The team's next pick wasn't until 169th overall, in the fifth round. Many looked at the selection as a necessary move. Wetjen was an excellent return man, averaging 29.8 yards per kick return and 26.8 yards per punt return. He scored four total return touchdowns, which is huge for any team.
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Steelers' new wide receiver and return specialist Kaden Wetjen during his time at Iowa.
He may not have much of an impact on offense in 2026, with a wide receiver room that's starting to get crowded, but he will certainly give the Steelers great special teams value that can't be overlooked.
Steelers' Omar Khan Has Been Great In The Fourth Round
While some of Steeler Nation may be worried about selecting a kick/punt returner in the fourth round, feeling like that might be too high, they should perhaps look at some of Omar Khan's past fourth-round picks. In 2023, Khan took edge rusher Nick Herbig, who is one of the bright young stars on the defense. Herbig is already one of, if not the Steelers' best pass rusher. A year later, he took guard Mason McCormick, who is a part of a rock-solid core on the offensive line. McCormick made tremendous improvement in year two of his career.
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Pittsburgh Steelers guard Mason McCormick (66) during a regular season matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, Ireland.
Khan also took Jack Sawyer in 2025, who looks like he could be the team's next steal at edge rusher. Sawyer had very limited snaps as a rookie, but made plenty of splash plays in the process. He showed the ability to defend the run, with work to be done in the pass game. Khan has done an excellent job finding value in the fourth round, and it's apparent. It's not a stretch to believe he did it again with Wetjen, this time with the special teams unit.
We will have to see how Wetjen pans out at the NFL level, where everything is faster and more aggressive. If it's anything like the past three fourth-round picks, the Steelers could have themselves a good one.
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