The Pittsburgh Steelers might have found a draft sleeper in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Pittsburgh selected safety Robert Spears-Jennings with the 224th overall pick, as the Steelers took a flier on an SEC safety in the seventh round. After OTAs and minicamp, Steelers insider Mike DeFabo of The Athletic believes he could earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
“Often in the seventh round, teams are betting on traits,” DeFabo wrote. “Yes, Spears-Jennings fits that mold in a lot of ways with a nearly 6-2 frame and the fastest 40 of any safety at the combine (4.32). But during OTAs and minicamp, he started to show he’s more than just measurables and raw potential.
“He was one of the players who surprised in a good way. He got his hands on a couple of passes, and his speed was evident in coverage. With a strong camp, he has a shot to earn his way onto the 53-man roster as a special-teamer and depth piece at safety. I like his chances more after watching him in person.”
Spears-Jennings can find a role on the roster with his play on special teams, but can also add depth to the secondary.
At Oklahoma last season, he recorded 59 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for a loss and an interception in his senior year. He played all four years with the Sooners, playing in 47 games, recording 178 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, and two interceptions.
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