Steelers’ potential 2026 breakout star after strong OTAs showing

The Mike McCarthy-Aaron Rodgers reunion tour has one final leg to it, as the Pittsburgh Steelers are employing both former Green Bay Packers for the 2026 NFL season.

With McCarthy stepping back into coaching and Rodgers suiting up for one final season, it remains to be seen how the nostalgia tour translates to wins and losses for the Steelers.

Offseason workouts have begun for Pittsburgh as it transitions into its first season without Mike Tomlin at the helm since 2006. McCarthy and the rest of the revamped coaching staff will have high expectations coming out of the gate, but complacency and non-playoff winning records will be some of the biggest hurdles this franchise will need to overcome.

While players like Drew Allar and Germie Bernard have earned headlines during OTAs as some of the rookies that have stood out the most, the defense added a good amount of talent this offseason, too.

Needing to add upgrades at all three levels, their defensive secondary might have a potential stud on their hands as he heads into his first NFL season.

Impressive OTA Performance

Georgia cornerback Daylen Everette has put together a strong start to his Steelers tenure, as he was given opportunities to cover the first-team offense. Matched up with DK Metcalf, Everette held his own, knocking away a pass from Rodgers and matching Metcalf’s speed on a deep ball.

Being able to string together strong reps in OTAs, when most of the veterans aren’t taking reps, is huge for a player like Everette.

Highly regarded as a member of the strong Georgia Bulldogs defense, Everette was the lone defensive player taken before round six by Pittsburgh, so clearly the Steelers feel that they can do more with less on defense, which means that they think highly of their new defensive back.

Revamped Defensive Secondary

Everette has a shot to lock down a spot in the two-deep cornerback depth chart this offseason, even with how many players and snaps are returning from last year.

Joey Porter Jr., Jalen Ramsey, and Brandin Echols, three of the four top snap earners at defensive back last season, are returning this year, but with Ramsey and Echols both 28 years or older, Everette has a chance to see major snaps this year.

It isn’t tough to see how Everette can factor in, especially given his 4.3 speed and how it translates to coverage. His sub-200-pound frame may need a bit of bulking up, but Everette’s willingness to factor into stopping the run and being physical at the point of attack will help him earn valuable playing time right out of the gate.

Steelers rookie CB Daylen Everette has impressed coaches in OTAs.

DBs coach Jason Simmons says he has great humility and has been willing to tackle any challenge they give him. pic.twitter.com/dNhnaDcxXw

— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) May 28, 2026

Right now, the CB depth chart includes Porter, Ramsey, Echols, Jamel Dean, Asante Samuel Jr., and Everette as its top options, and that’s quite a deep list.

But with only Dean and Ramsey under contract past this season, it seems very likely that the Steelers will want Everette to see the field to see what they have and if they can lean on him even more moving forward.

With the potential for Everette to see time at boundary cornerback, nickelback, and on special teams, there are plenty of ways for Everette to earn playing time in his rookie season.

A strong skill set, combined with above-average speed and humility, and you have the makings of a potential starter at cornerback, all in a third-round pick.

Keep an eye on Everette as training camp progresses, as he should absolutely continue to make a name for himself as he carves out a role in the Pittsburgh defense.

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