The Steelers have had a strong track record drafting during Omar Khan’s first four years, but it’s time for attrition to set in. As of this moment, they only have four players they drafted before Khan’s tenure, which began in 2023. Since then, they have kept every draft pick as a rookie, but this year likely changes that. Below are the draft picks under threat of missing the cut in 2026.
Kaleb Johnson: The most troubling name on this list, the Steelers spent a third-round draft pick on Johnson in 2025. He already seems at significant risk of not making the cut. He barely played in their preseason opener and appears to be behind Travis Homer and Lew Nichols.
Will Howard: The other eye-catching name on this list is Will Howard, the Steelers’ 2025 sixth-round pick. Despite a solid preseason debut, he is still in a battle with Mason Rudolph. Rudolph went into training camp as the QB2 and has done nothing to lose his spot. If Howard can’t surpass him, he may not make the team.
Donte Kent: A 2025 seventh-round draft pick, Kent is rehabbing an injury. He has spent all of training camp on the PUP List, and my guess is they plan to leave him there. Kent also spent his rookie season injured. They tried to activate him during the season, but he hurt himself even further—and he’s still recovering. Right now, the most likely outcome is another year sidelined, but he could be activated and miss the cut at some point.
Gabriel Rubio: Right now, I would count Rubio inside the roster bubble, especially after his preseason debut. A rookie sixth-round draft pick, he has the makings of a Pittsburgh defensive lineman. While he is competing against veterans Dean Lowry and Esezi Otomewo, I think he has a real chance to snag the sixth and final defensive line spot. Odds are, at least one of those veterans will make it to the practice squad—most likely both. And any of them would probably be a gameday healthy scratch, anyway, so keep the one with upside.
Robert Spears-Jennings: The Steelers seem to be high on Spears-Jennings, their rookie seventh-round draft pick, but how high? If they feel the need to carry four quarterbacks this year, would they sacrifice him? That’s what Alex Kozora predicts, going with veteran reserve safety Rayshawn Jenkins. And it’s certainly plausible, although I wouldn’t feel good about it. He’s definitely interesting enough that I want him on the 53-man roster, especially if Kent is on the outside.
Eli Heidenreich: Great draft stories don’t always make great careers, and the Steelers’ Eli Heidenreich so far only has the story. He is easy to root for and his athleticism is apparent, but he has yet to do much that jumps out at you and demands you keep him. Max Hurleman is arguably a better version of him right now.
Thus far, only two Khan-era Steelers draft picks are no longer with the team, both due to injury. 2024 sixth-round DB Ryan Watts retired due to his injury, while the team finally lost patience with the annual injuries of 2023 selection CB Cory Trice Jr. Now, 2024 sixth-round DL Logan Lee is once again on IR for the second time. He should remain there for the season, but his time is running out.