The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to play their second preseason game of the season on Friday night. New head coach Mike McCarthy and his staff got plenty of information from their first preseason contest. Now, they will get another extended look at players fighting for roles or roster spots. That includes their 2026 NFL Draft class.

The Steelers have 10 drafted rookies who are either vying for jobs, developing, or battling for a roster spot. Some have their spots locked up, others have reason for optimism, and a few remain on the bubble. Here is the current outlook for each Steelers rookie heading into the second preseason matchup:

Max Iheanachor: Locked

There’s no way Iheanachor won’t be on the Week 1 roster unless he is placed on injured reserve. As it stands, there doesn’t appear to be any long-term concern with his current injury.

So yes, the first-round pick is here to stay.

Germie Bernard: Locked

Bernard has looked the part, performed like the part, and approached his role like the part. He is a lock and might even be in line to become a starter down the road.

For now, he will continue to earn Aaron Rodgers’ and the coaching staff’s trust. However, he is off to a good start.

Drew Allar: Locked

It feels redundant to say all of the first three-round picks are locks. However, some fans may gaslight themselves into thinking Allar is competing with Will Howard for the final quarterback spot.

He’s not. Allar is a lock, while Howard is still competing with Mason Rudolph. Howard was a sixth-round pick, and the Steelers aren’t dumping a third-round pick who hasn’t played a regular-season snap.

Daylen Everette: Locked

Everette is off to a strong start. However, he is part of a crowded cornerback room. His early role with the Steelers will likely come on special teams.

The former Georgia Bulldog is here to stay and has impressed everyone watching him.

Gennings Dunker: Locked

Dunker, similar to Allar, is a developmental project with plenty of upside. Again, the Steelers aren’t moving on from a third-round pick who hasn’t played a regular-season snap.

Dunker will likely be inactive on game days as he continues working with James Campen and the coaching staff.

Kaden Wetjen: Locked

This fourth-round pick is a lock because he not only showed some flashes in the first preseason game, but he is also expected to be the team’s primary return man.

Wetjen can also continue earning the coaching staff’s trust by making plays on offense. McCarthy has already indicated that he needs to see more from Wetjen, too.

Riley Nowakowski: Bubble

Robert Tonyan has made it difficult to see Nowakowski making the team as a tight end. He would likely need to serve as a fullback/tight end hybrid who can be used interchangeably.

This will come down to his performance and how much the Steelers plan to use fullbacks in their ground game this season.

Gabe Rubio: Optimistic

Rubio has been the biggest surprise coming out of training camp. He was stellar against the run in the first preseason game, but he isn’t quite a lock just yet.

Rubio has impressed to this point, but he needs a few more strong performances to cement his roster spot. He would likely be inactive on game days or active against a run-heavy team.

Robert Spears-Jennings: Optimistic

Spears-Jennings probably has the best outlook among the Steelers’ late-round picks. He has gotten some work with the first-team defense, had a good first preseason game, and possesses unbelievable straight-line speed.

The biggest question is whether the Steelers will try to acquire another safety at cutdowns. That could send Spears-Jennings to the practice squad, depending on how it all shakes out.

Eli Heidenreich: Bubble

A great story and a homecoming player, Heidenreich gives fans plenty of reasons to root for him to make the team. However, he hasn’t done enough to warrant carrying a fourth running back just yet. He does have some things working in his favor, though.

He has been working as a second returner on special teams, has excellent speed, and offers rare versatility. He can operate as both a wide receiver and tailback.