The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2026 NFL Draft with 12 selections in the event, meaning their picks were going to be pivotal to the future success of the team. The organization needed to find players that were going to be able to make an immediate impact as the franchise is still trying to win now. Only time will tell if the players that were drafted in the event are going to be able to make major contributions during their rookie seasons, but a few of the rookies have already been making waves throughout the offseason program.
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Steelers' Daylen Everette (23) and Asante Samuel Jr. (22) at practice during the 2026 offseason.
The Steelers drafted cornerback Daylen Everette in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft out of Georgia, and he has already been making some noise throughout the offseason. He has been praised by the coaching staff, and he is expected to be in a position battle with Asante Samuel Jr. for the third spot on the depth chart at outside cornerback. He has played in many big games throughout his career due to where he played his college football at, and his experience in big games seems to be showing already in Pittsburgh.
Beat writer Mark Kaboly joined 93.7 The Fan on Monday morning and he discussed several position battles to keep an eye on once training camp begins, and he gave a prediction for that third spot on the outside.
"I think we'll start off with Asante Samuel Jr.," Kaboly said. "But, he could be a guy that, he's getting paid decent money. Four million bucks. If they're even, one's leaving, and it's the guy that's making money. I don't know if they would be comfortable doing that with a veteran type of guy, but you also have some backups there that could fill in. You can probably put Jalen Ramsey there, [Brandin] Echols you can throw there. I think Everette just has to continue to get better, but I'm going with Everette to start the season."
Kaboly was asked who would be the one in the position to start training camp, and who would be in that spot when the regular season begins. Samuel should start there initially as he got paid this offseason and is the veteran, but Kaboly expects him to get leapfrogged by the rookie.
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Steelers' Daylen Everette participates in drills at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
Samuel has had a weird couple of seasons. He was an above-average cornerback with the Los Angeles Chargers, and he was expected to be one of the most coveted free agents during the 2025 cycle. He wound up needing a serious back surgery, and he was not able to sign anywhere until about halfway through the 2025 season when he signed in Pittsburgh. He played well, and the organization re-signed him to a one-year deal worth $4 million.
Due to Samuel making a higher salary, Kaboly believes that if he and Everette are in a close battle, the edge will go to the rookie. Everette also has better size, which can bode well for contributing on special teams and making tackles on the edge.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. seen taking a knee while participating in a regular-season practice with his new teammates at the UPMC Sports Complex in Pittsburgh, PA.
Steelers Could Look To Trade Asante Samuel Jr.
If Everette continues to improve and it is looking like he will take the third outside cornerback job from Samuel, the Steelers could look to move him. He played well in 2025 and put some good things on tape, which should force some teams to be interested. It is important to remember that the franchise re-signed him before he was able to get to free agency, which means the organization was worried there was significant interest in him. That could remain to be true, and the Steelers could look to trade him. A team like the Miami Dolphins is particularly weak at cornerback and might be willing to send over a decent Day 3 selection.
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