PITTSBURGH -- For a franchise that prides itself on building through the trenches and the secondary, the Pittsburgh Steelers' approach to Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft felt like something close to a masterclass in roster construction.
After a relatively quiet first round that saw general manager Omar Khan and head coach Mike Tomlin address the defensive line early, the Steelers entered Saturday with two selections in the third round -- and they used every bit of that capital to plug two of the most glaring holes on the roster. With the 85th overall pick, Pittsburgh selected Georgia cornerback Daylen Everette, a long, physical defensive back who many draft analysts view as a potential Day 1 starter. Then, later in the third round, the Steelers fortified the offensive interior by picking Tulane's Gennings Dunker, a powerful, position-flexible blocker who projects as an immediate contributor in a run-first offense.
Let's break down both selections, what they mean for the Steelers in 2026, and how they fit into the team's long-term plans.