Who will be the first rookie to earn a starting role?

I believe Dunker will be the first player from the 2026 draft class to start in the NFL.

He may not win the opening day job, but he should see starts at some point during the 2026 season.As long as he maintains good knee bend and can play with a low pad level, he is ideally suited for guard.

He possesses massive upper-body strength in his arms, hands, and chest, and his legs are built like tree trunks. He found himself on the ground a bit too often in college, likely because he was over-reaching at tackle trying to stay with quicker edge rushers. At guard, there’s less space to cover and far more opportunity to leverage his natural strength and girth. He should fit into the position like a fish in water.

 

Depends what starter means IMO.

If we start in 11, Bernard should be a starter on day 1 @ WR3. But that means one of the TEs won't "start".

Wetjen should be the starter at PR and KR on day 1, but I'm guessing we're not talking about teams.

 

Indeed. For the purposes of this thread, a " starter " is defined as a player who is officially listed in the database as a starter — not simply the first role player to hit the field.

 

My guess is Iheanacor because he was our 1st round pick. Next in line is probably Bernard because I he was drafted to fill the 3rd receiver spot.

 

I think in PFR (I assume that's what you mean by database?) a starter is a guy who's in the package that starts the game.

So if we start in 12, Washington and Freiermuth would be starters at TE and DK and Pittman. But if we started in 11 we'd only have one of Washington/Freiermuth start and we'd have three starting WRs (DK, Pittman and presumably Bernard).

At least I think that's how PFR works.

 

I think it will be interesting to see what happens with Max this year. But hopefully he sees the field. Redshirting a 1st round pick wastes 1/4 of the massive financial value the rookie contract brings.

The path for Dunker to start is probably easier than Iheanacor since we do have two guys that can play the tackles. Not sure we really have a 2nd G.

 

hoffman.

 

Did the Steelers draft two guys named Germie Bernard ?

 

I'm going with the 2nd Germie Bernard listed

The 1st one listed is OK but there's that IT factor in the 2nd one that just screams STARTER

 

I'll pick Allar.

 

See I thought the deal saver was 50% off the 2nd THE WETJEN if ordered at that time

 

Mad Max for sure.

No way it's Allar if Rodgers is back.

 

I’m seeing too many Bernard’s

 

Since it was suggested this is based on some ambiguous “database” I propose we go with the first one listed in the first column of the Steelers.com weekly depth chart

 

I’m going with one of the Bernard twins

Assuming the depth chart does not come out with two tight ends like it did last year we should expect three wide receivers

A second round pick should move into that spot fairly quickly

 

Having your first-round pick sitting deep on the bench is never great optics, and that appears to be Max’s projected role right now. I’m not a fan of the pick. The assumption seems to be that he’ll start in 2027 and give us three cheap years under the salary cap, but his film didn’t jump off the screen for me. And he played a weaker schedule. I’m confident better players were still on the board. We shall see in 3 years.

Obviously the Steelers aren’t sold on Broderick Jones who's play has been sub par. He has a significant injury as well. I don't think they view Cook as the long-term answer at left tackle and perhaps they don’t want to pay him market value of the stating left tackles in free agency. So the current plan looks like sliding Troy Fautanu over to left tackle in 2027 and starting Max at right tackle. I question Troy's feet a bit. After using first-round picks on offensive tackles in 2023, 2024, and now 2026, I really hope we’re done investing high draft capital at the position for a few years.

 

Mike McCarthy said Bernard will be playing both sides of the ball offense and defense
guess it comes down to the coin flip season opener.

@PWP

 

A #3 WR is pretty much a starter in today's NFL.

 

Germie Bernard. Too easy. This guy won't have much competition at WR3 since CAIII is gone and Roman Wilson looks to be busting.

 

Why is Germie listed twice?