PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – His college coach said he played at his best in the biggest games. Sunday corner Daylen Everette was called on to perform during the biggest snaps and he succeeded. With Joey Porter, Junior out again, look for the rookie from Georgia to get key reps Thursday night in Cleveland.

“Daylen has been pushing to get out there,” said Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy. “You’ve seen the way he’s played. He’s had a couple interceptions in the competitive two-minute drills in back-to-back weeks. So, he’s been pushing to play and I think it’s a by-product of that.”

“I’ve always had confidence in myself, it’s just finally having the opportunity to go out and show it,” Everette said.

The Steelers third-round pick said he felt pretty good about his performance, he worked opposite of veteran, and first-year Steelers corner, Jamel Dean.

“I was very impressed how he responded,” Dean said. “I remember being a rookie, you get a little jitters. Once he made a play, he settled in. I see it. I love it.”

Dean added he felt like Everette was very fluid for his size and now its just getting more reps to build his confidence.

“Just a smooth, calm demeanor,” said linebacker Patrick Queen. “Some guys get in there and their eyes get big and they aren’t ready for the moment, but he was ready. He did what he does in practice every day, he came out there and balled.”

Everette also credited practice, feeling he has been building chemistry with his teammates and that carried over into the game. The rookie singled out safety Jaquan Brisker for his help, but it’s not just him.

“They give a lot of good advice,” Everette said. “They are very helpful to my growth. When I see myself getting better, a lot of that happens because I try to lean on them for certain things.”

Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said Everette indeed earned the right to play because of practice. But credit to those who found him before the 2026 NFL Draft.

“It starts from the scouting process,” Graham said. “You saw a physical corner at Georgia with good speed, obviously time speed but also game speed. Since he’s been here, he’s worked really, really hard.”

“I would say him, [rookie seventh-round pick Robert Spears-Jennings], they spend a lot of time together going over the calls on their own. You feel them in the building a lot of times just going over stuff, just waiting for their opportunity to play. So, you gain more confidence in them when you see that diligent work taking place.”

Thursday is another challenge, a quick-turnaround game at a division rival where weird things tend to happen. Porter, Junior’s situation and hard work have led to these opportunities, he’ll get more opportunities to shine in Cleveland.