Rising Steelers rookie turning heads in 2026 OTAs

On paper, Pittsburgh’s cornerback depth chart looks loaded. Joey Porter Jr., Jalen Ramsey, Brandin Echols, Jamel Dean, and Asante Samuel Jr. are all in the mix, giving the Steelers one of the deeper groups in the AFC. For a rookie trying to find his footing, that kind of competition could be intimidating. For Everette, it looks more like motivation.

The path to playing time isn’t a straight line, but it’s visible. Ramsey and Echols are both 28 or older, and with only Dean and Ramsey locked in beyond this season on current contracts, Pittsburgh has every reason to want a younger cornerback developing behind them. Evaluating what they have in Everette now makes sense, especially if the front office is mapping out what this defense will look like in 2027 and beyond.

The math works in Everette’s favor in another way too. With multiple roles potentially available, boundary cornerback, nickelback, and special teams contributor, there’s no single box he needs to check to get on the field. That kind of positional flexibility is exactly what coaches value in young players, and Everette has the athleticism to make it work at more than one spot.

Speed, Physicality, and the Makings of a Starter

What separates Everette from a typical developmental pick is the combination of traits he brings to the table. His 4.3 speed immediately stands out, that kind of closing burst translates directly to press coverage and recovery, two areas where cornerbacks either win or lose at the NFL level. But it’s not just the timed speed that makes him intriguing. It’s how he plays.

Everette isn’t just a coverage corner looking to avoid contact. His willingness to come downhill against the run and be physical at the line of scrimmage tells you something about his football IQ and his toughness. Corners who only want to cover are a dime a dozen at this level. Corners who embrace the full job description are the ones who stick.

The one area where scouts have flagged the need for development is his frame. Coming in under 200 pounds, Everette will need to add some functional strength to hold up against bigger receivers at the boundary. That’s not an unusual ask for a young corner, and Pittsburgh’s strength staff has a long track record of getting players where they need to be physically. It’s a coachable issue, not a red flag.

Put it all together, elite speed, above-average physicality, special teams value, and a willingness to learn, and you have a third-round pick with legitimate starter upside. The Steelers didn’t take Everette to sit on the bench and watch. They took him because they believe he can contribute now and grow into something more substantial down the road.

As training camp approaches, keep a close eye on how Everette continues to develop within Pittsburgh’s system. He has all the ingredients to make a real name for himself in the Steel City, and OTAs are just the beginning.