With a crowded cornerback room likely limiting his immediate role, rookie Daylen Everette has flown under the radar this offseason. But through rookie minicamp and OTAs, the Steelers may already be seeing signs of why they invested a third-round pick in him.
“From what I’ve seen so far (yes, it’s early), I really like CB Daylen Everette, their third-round pick,” the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac wrote in his weekly Steelers chat.
Everette had solid production at one of the highest-profile programs in college football. With all the physical tools to succeed at the next level, Pittsburgh could afford to spend a Day 2 pick on him to develop behind the scenes.
Joey Porter Jr. is not yet signed to a long-term deal. Assuming they get that done, the Steelers still need a young option opposite him after Jamel Dean—who is entering his age-30 season—moves on.
The secondary, in general, needs a youth injection with other young options like Cory Trice Jr. fizzling out due to injuries. Asante Samuel Jr. will be 27 this year, but he’s on just a one-year deal and could command a decent contract if he proves he can stay healthy for a full season. And Jalen Ramsey is entering his age-32 season.
Everette just turned 22 in early May and could earn a significant role as early as 2027, depending on what happens with Ramsey, Samuel, and Brandin Echols.
Our Daylen Everette scouting report noted that he needs to improve his aiming points as a tackler, discipline in man coverage, and trusting his backpedal to not open his hips too quickly. All of those things can be improved with an NFL coaching staff.
Not every player is best served by starting right away, and Pittsburgh has the luxury of developing him properly with its new coaching staff in place.
Everette will have a chance to show what he can do in training camp and the preseason, but we may not see him much again until 2027. By then, we could be looking back at him as the best of the Steelers’ three third-round picks in the 2026 draft.