Pro Football Focus has flagged four NFL draft prospects connected to the Pittsburgh Steelers as 'buyer beware' players ahead of the 2026 draft. The list includes Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch, Georgia inside linebacker CJ Allen, and Washington cornerback Tacario Davis. Steelers officials have met with each during the pre-draft process.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, holding 12 picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft set for late April, have shown interest in several prospects now under scrutiny from Pro Football Focus analyst Dalton Wasserman. In a review of nine players to approach cautiously, Wasserman highlighted four with Steelers ties formed through formal meetings, Pro Day dinners, and pre-draft visits at the NFL Combine and team facilities. Penn State quarterback Drew Allar possesses elite arm strength and a prototype build but struggled with consistency. Wasserman noted, “Despite his elite arm strength, Allar posted at least a 3% big-time throw rate in just one of his three seasons as Penn State’s starter. His 56.5% accurate throw rate... lags well behind other top prospects.” The analyst emphasized needs in footwork and ball placement for Allar to succeed as an NFL starter. Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch impressed after the catch but saw over half of his 81 receptions last season come behind the line of scrimmage, with limited downfield routes. The Steelers hosted him for a Pro Day dinner following a Combine meeting. Inside linebacker CJ Allen excels in run defense, posting a 91.6 PFF run-defense grade over two seasons while missing just five tackles. However, concerns linger over his coverage skills, sub-60.0 grades, size, and lack of athletic testing. Wasserman described him as reliable but not a splashy playmaker. Steelers general manager Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy attended Georgia's Pro Day amid trade rumors involving Patrick Queen. Washington cornerback Tacario Davis offers rare size, length, and speed after three starting seasons, though production dipped recently due to heavy man-coverage reliance. He visited the Steelers pre-draft, where he could develop behind Joey Porter Jr., Jamel Dean, and Asante Samuel Jr. Wasserman compared him to Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Riq Woolen as a high-upside prospect needing technique refinement. These evaluations come as the Steelers aim to bolster their roster amid defensive changes under new coordinator Patrick Graham.
