2026 NFL Draft Preview: Steelers Part 1

 

These names come from various senior bowl, combine and pro day visits and connections. Summaries are from nfl.com's draft tracker.

RB Robert Henry Jr - UTSA  5'9" 196

combine: 4.52s 40, 37"vert, 10'4'broad

2025: 1st All-American, 151c/1,045yds/9TDs, 18rec/114yds/2TDs

strengths: Gains good lateral ground with swift jump-cuts to escape trouble. Bendy in his ankles & hips to quickly cut at crisp angles. Bursts takes him to his top speed in a hurry. 

weaknesses: Lacks tempo & rhythm in getting to run actions. Hurries runs & either misses the entry point or runs into the blocker. Lacks instincts & feel for setting up tacklers. Missing the power & running style to collide & fall forward.

grade: 5.67 (Candidate for the bottom of the roster or practice squad)

RB Eli Heidenreich - Navy 6' 198

combine: 4.44s 40, 35.5"vert, 10'broad, 10reps

2025: 2nd All-American, 77c/499yds/3TDs, 51rec/941yds/6TDs

strengths: Run/catch versatility from backfield or slot. Uses lead blockers effectively & smoothly changes directions. Outstanding hand strength to secure & finish the catch. Durable run finisher behind his pads.

weaknesses: Below-average burst to spring past 1st level defenders. Lacks speed to out-flank run pursuit or push coverage onto its heels. Short arms limit opportunities to nab off-target throws. Needs to improve at carving out catch space through face.

grade: 5.68 (Candidate for bottom of the roster or practice squad)

WR Zavion Thomas - LSU  5'10"  190

combine: 4.28s 40, 36"vert

2025: 41rec/488yds/4TDs, 19c/99yds/1TD

strengths: Late leverage pushes coverage out of his downfield break. Sharp snap at the top of his comeback routes. Legit ball-carrying talent on scripted touches. Good vision, burst & wriggle to create for himself. Return specialist.

weaknesses: Average early acceleration into his routes. Loses momentum in & out of slant stems. Needs to stack & control corners when tracking. Struggles to secure catches through contact.

Grade: 5.84 (Average backup/Special teamer)

WR Dillon Bell - Georgia   6'1"  209

combine: 4.5s 40, 39"vert, 10'6" broad

2025: 27rec/268yds/2TDs, 17c/109yds/2TDs

strengths: Highly successful weapon on jet-sweeps & reverses. Breaks through open-field tacklers once he gets rolling downhill. Accelerates late in route to create space. Run-block potential on perimeter and when cracking down. Experience & talent to become a plus kick returner.

weaknesses: Routes lack crisp cuts & attention to detail. Unable to pull the brakes firmly for comeback routes. Body-catcher with below-average catch focus. Struggles to bring in throws outside his frame.

Grade: 5.94 (Average backup?Special teamer)

LB Harold Perkins Jr - LSU  6'1"  223

2025: 3rd All-SEC, 55total tckls, 4scks, 1FF/1FR, 3INTs, 3PDs

strengths: Reads the run & scrapes to the line to compress the front. Lands a crisp two-hand punch to stay clean against blocks. Sifts through route development to locate zone landmarks. Triggers a well-timed blitz to harass the pocket. Accelerates through contact to finish tackles near the line.

weaknesses: Needs to be quicker in defeating skill-position blockers. Linear pursuit to the football leads to missed tackles. Too much confusion on his coverage tape. Average elusiveness to bypass blitz pickup.

Grade: 6.18 (Good backup with potential to develop as a starter)

CB Andre Fuller - Toledo  6'1"  200

combine: 4.49s 40, 35"vert, 10'9"broad

2025: 1st All-MAC, 40tot tckls, 1FR, 10PDs

strengths: Patient feet allow release fakes to clear. Reads receivers' eyes & attacks hands with timing. Beats up the catch space when he's in position. Has punt & kick-cover talent. 

weaknesses: Late reaching in press slows take-off departure to flip & run. Struggles staying connected to route breaks from trail. Rarely finds the football with his back to the action. Needs to drop his entry point & body-up as a tackler.

Grade: 5.69 (Good candidate for back of the roster or practice squad)

WR Kaden Wetjen - Iowa  5'9"  193

combine: 4.47s 40, 35.5"vert

2025: Consensus All-American/ Jet Award/ BIG 10 Return Specialist OTY, 1st All-BIG 10, 20rec/151yds/1TD, 15c/79yds/2TDs

strengths: Sees past initial set of traffic to set up future cuts & moves. Able to snap off out-breaking cuts with suddeness. Set school record with 6 return TDs. 1st tackle attempt is often eluded or broken on punt returns. 

weaknesses: Desire to bounce returns wide could catch up with him in the pros. Lacks short-area agility as a ball-carrier near the line. Corners rise up over his head on jump balls. Short arms & smaller hands require an accurate QB.

Grade: 6.00 (Traits or talent to become above-average backup)

WR Skyler Bell - UConn  6'  192

combine: 4.4s 40, 41"vert, 11'1" broad

2025: Consensus All-American, 101rec/1,278yds/13TDs

strengths: Rapid feet turnover quickly eats CB's cushion. Instant acceleration becomes runaway speed. Turns short slants into big plays after the catch. Threatens all 3 levels of the field. Good body control with sudden, late hands on contested sideline throws. 

weaknesses: Wastes motion against press instead of winning clean. Body-catcher who loses focus over the middle. Lacks extension & hand strength to finish when contested. Fast post-catch but only average elusiveness. Needs to make quicker adjustments to capture air space on 50/50 balls.

grade: 6.25 (Eventually will become an average starter)

comp: Michael Gallup

 

RB CJ Donaldson - Ohio St  6'2"  230

2025: 96c/361yds/10TDs, 15rec/96yds/1TD

strengths: Times his cuts off the lead blocker's hip on contact. Leans & drives through contact to break tackles or fall forward. Knows where to be in pass protection. 

weaknesses: One-speed runner lacking desired burst through the line. Lacks vision to locate & slide to small lane openings. Needs more patience in allowing blocks to develop. Little added value out of the backfield.

grade: 5.82 (Average backup/special teamer)

WR Eric Rivers - Georgia Tech  5'10"  176

combine: 4.35s 40, 37"vert, 10'7"broad

2025: 46rec/658yds/2TDs, 7c/56yds

strengths: Tempos into acceleration at the stem on deep routes. Disguises route breaks with a consistently quiet upper body. Maintains speed while locating & tracking the throw. Displayed punt return ability.

weaknesses: Deceleration & change of direction fluidity are average. Inconsistent balance & footwork in & out of intermediate breaks. Doesn't get much after the catch in tighter spaces.

grade: 5.86 (Average backup/Special teamer)

OG Garrett Digiorgio - UCLA  6'7"  319

combine: 5.36s 40, 29.5"vert, 8'10"broad, 24reps

strengths: Finds work as a clean-up man when he's uncovered. Rips upward hand strikes into defender's frame at contact. Able to unlock lower half & roll hips into the block. 

weaknesses: Can be knocked back by an average bull rush inside. Inconsistent footwork to match standing fronts & fit up his block. Struggles badly to stay centered & sustain as both a run and pass blocker. Poor change of direction in space when asked to make climbing/pulling blocks.

grade: 5.68 (Candidate for bottom of the roster or practice squad)

WR Denzel Boston - Washington  6'4"  212

combine: 35"vert

2025: 3rd All-BIG 10, 62rec/881yds/11TDs

strengths: Good early acceleration. Runs routes with good fluidity. Big-bodied target who plays to his size. Pro-caliber ball skills with elite hand strength to finish. Extends for off-frame throws with a spider-web like catch radius. Ball tracking & adjustment timing are top notch. Competitive & strong with his run-after-catch ability.

weaknesses: Press release is linear. Lacks a true 2nd gear. Routes lose steam when he digs his foot in on route turns. Earned separation closes as the route progresses.

grade: 6.40 (Will become a good starter within 2 years)

comp: Puka Nacua

LB Eric Gentry - USC  6'7"  221

2025: 76tot tckls, 3scks, 5FFs, 2PDs

strengths: When he's near the route, the squeeze is on. Threatening closing burst to the QB as a blitzer. Long frame allows him to make tackles from distance. Actively targets punch-cuts. 

weaknesses: Gets lifted up & out of the gap by linemen. Lacks upper-body and hand usage to get off blocks. Below-average change of direction in man coverage. High center of gravity makes open-field tackling tougher.

grade: 5.86 (Average backup/Special teamer)

S Ahmaad Moses - SMU   5'9"  196

combine: 38"vert

2025: 104tot tckls, 1sck, 2FRs, 5INTs/1TD, 3PDs

strengths: Twitchy athlete with sudden change of direction. Pounces on quick game & short throws with immediacy. Quick to diagnose & trigger deep into the run fit. Sticky hands to flip the field and his kick-cover talent stands out. 

weaknesses: Pass-catchers go up & over him for grabs. Loses track of positioning from depth near the redzone. Takes chances pursuing wide & will lose leverage. Limited tackle raidus once the ball-carrier hits the open field.

gradeL 5.91 (Average backup/Special teamer)

WR Zachariah Branch - Georgia  5'9"  177

combine: 4.35s 40, 38"vert, 10'5"broad, 20reps

2025: 2nd All-SEC, 81rec/811yds/6TDs

strengths: Top-end speed to pull away & take it to the house. Above-average play strength to battle against hands-on coverage. Can punish zone coverage when working between short & deep. Showed an ability to thrive through heavy catch contact. Access to instant speed when he wants it. 

weaknesses: Developed a bad habit of jumping to make the catch when it's unnecessary. Rushes through his routes with little attention to detail. Will need to eliminate his heavy rounded route turns. Requires an accurate passer.

grade: 6.32 (Eventually will become a plus starter)

comp: Curtis Samuel

TE Bauer Sharp - LSU  6'5"  249

combineL 4.63s 40, 35"vert, 10'broad, 20reps

2025: 24rec/252yds/2TDs

strengths: Conscientious to drop feet in-bounds, catching tight to the boundary. Strikes with low pad level & good hand placement on down blocks. Finds, adjusts & centers up on block targets in space.

weaknesses: Beaten to the punch on a fairly consistent basis. Struggles to prevent being discarded by NFL-caliber talent. Route tells allow coverage to jump his breaks. Ball security after the catch is a concern.

grade: 5.67 (Candidate for bottom of the roster or practice squad)

2026 Grammy's Album Review: "Let God Sort Em Out" - Clipse

 

Its that time of year for my annual series reviewing all of the album of the year nominees. This year I graded each track out of 100, and then of course averaged it out. On albums that feature interludes, or on certain tracks that are around a minute or shorter, those won't be judged toward the album.

"Let God Sort Em Out" - Clipse

1) "The Birds Don't Sing" (ft/ John Legend and Voices of Fire):

A track full of remorse; "The birds don't sing, they screech in pain".

2) Chains & Whips" (ft/ Kendrick Lamar):

There's a rock style production. Overall this feels fresh, with a furiously paced close; "Misery's fueling your aggression".

3)  "P.O.V" (ft/ Tyler, the Creator)

Slowed down & calmer, though the flow feels slightly off.

4) "So Be It"

There's a Middle Eastern sound.

5) "Ace Trumpets"

A very smooth beat.

6) "All Things Considered" (ft/ The-Dream and Pharrell Williams)

There's a nice transition into this track; "The only sin left is to flirt with vengeance".

7) "M.T.B.T.T.F"

This brings about a 90s vibe.

8) "E.B.I.T.D.A" (ft/ Pharrell Williams)

While quicker paced, this feels a bit like a throw-in.

9) "F.I.C.O" (ft/ Stove God Cooks)

Again we see a slowed down tempo, going along with the pacing of this album.

10) "Inglorious Bastards" (ft/ Ab-Liva)

This brings about a different vibe; "I'm allergic to anything other than money behavior".

11) "So Far Ahead" (ft/ Pharrell Williams)

There's a soulful/gospel feel in the opening, with some very clever wording.

12) "Let God Sort Em Out/ Chandeliers" (ft/ Nas)

There's an interesting switch-up midway though.

13) "By The Grace of God" (ft/ Pharrell Williams)

This feels like a triumphant close to the album; "Escape the odds by the grace of God".

This is a fascinating album. It both feels new & unique, while also providing a throwback vibe to 90s hip hop. As I mentioned in the body of the review, its also really well paced (and not overtly lengthy). (82.1)

Lady Gaga "Mayhem" - 86.5

Bad Bunny "Debi Tirar Mas Fotos" - 84.5

Kendrick Lamar "GNX" - 84.1

Sabrina Carpenter "Man's Best Friend" - 82.4

Clipse "Let God Sort Em Out" - 82.1

Leon Thomas "Mutt" - 78.8

Tyler, The Creator "Chromakopia" - 78.4

Justin Bieber "Swag" - 69.6

2026 Grammy's Album Review: "Mayhem" - Lady Gaga

 

Its that time of year for my annual series reviewing all of the album of the year nominees. This year I graded each track out of 100, and then of course averaged it out. On albums that feature interludes, or on certain tracks that are around a minute or shorter, those won't be judged toward the album.

"Mayhem" - Lady Gaga

(Interscope Records)

1) Disease:

Immediately brings you into the atmosphere of the upcoming album with a classic Gaga sound; "if you were a sinner I could make you believe".

2) Abracadabra:

Intensely catchy. The pre-chorus itself tells a story.

3) Garden Of Eden:

There are some of Gaga's classic cadences.

4) Perfect Celebrity:

This deals with the spotlight of fame and idolization; "I look so hungry, but I look so good....tap on my vein, suck on my diamond blood". The production is practically perfect.

5) Vanish Into You:

The intro starts off with a power ballad vibe.

6) Killah (ft/ Gesaffelstein):

There's certainly a funk (Prince) vibe that fits really well. The breakdown builds on itself.

7) Zombieboy:

There's sort of a Gwen Stefani (Hollabackgirl) inspired sound. 

8) LoveDrug:

She wants to find a way to numb herself.

9) How Bad Do U Want Me:

Getting the obvious out of the way, this is very Taylor Swift coded, but with Gaga's own flair. And its not just the sound, but the structure of the chorus.  Its fun seeing Lady Gaga with a pure pop song.

10) Don't Call Tonight:

Some notable lines; "We twist the knife too many times to say goodbye".

11) Shadow Of A Man:

Very Michael Jackson coded, she really delivers on the fast paced chorus. She doesn't want to be in the background.

12) The Beast:

There's a driving/building tempo. A classic rock vibe with some powerful vocals.

13) Blade Of Grass:

A James Bond-esque ballad. Not necessarily among the top tracks of the album, but its a vibe switch.

14) Die With A Smile (ft/ Bruno Mars):

Sonically this works following "Blade Of Grass", but overall when considering the album this feels like a throw-in to produce a hit.

Not that she needed a comeback, but this album sees Lady Gaga going back to some of her early work, but still with some added flair. Its fun seeing her take on some inspired sounds, like Prince, Taylor Swift and MJ for example. (86.5)

Lady Gaga "Mayhem" - 86.5

Bad Bunny "Debi Tirar Mas Fotos" - 84.5

Kendrick Lamar "GNX" - 84.1

Sabrina Carpenter "Man's Best Friend" - 82.4

Leon Thomas "Mutt" - 78.8

Tyler, The Creator "Chromakopia" - 78.4

Justin Bieber "Swag" - 69.6

2026 Grammy's Album Review: "Chromakopia" - Tyler, The Creator

 

Its that time of year for my annual series reviewing all of the album of the year nominees. This year I graded each track out of 100, and then of course averaged it out. On albums that feature interludes, or on certain tracks that are around a minute or shorter, those won't be judged toward the album.

"Chromakopia" - Tyler, The Creator

(Columbia Records)

1) St. Chroma (ft/ Daniel Caesar):

With a spoken word intro, it starts off with whispered vocals; "give a fuck about traditions, stop impressing the dead". This opener feels a bit disjointed and disconnected.

2) Rah Tah Tah:

The writing is clever; "if my ex is spilling tea about me, don't you drink that".

3) Noid:

This track provides a bit of a switch-up, with a sort of Kravitz vibe. Overall this centers on paranoia.

4) Darling, I (ft/ Teezo Touchdown):

The opening of this one feels more like a ballad; "One option for everybody? Don't you lie to me".

5) Hey Jane:

Dealing with the choice of an impending pregnancy, we see the partners going back & forth in the verses, "lets pretend we got no one to tell".

6) I Killed You:

There's a nice early flow, but the switch-up midway feels abrupt.

7) Judge Judy:

The beat is interesting, but the writing is so corny, and it drags on and on.

8) Sticky (ft/ GloRilla, Sexyy Red and Lil Wayne)

With heavy percussion, the instrumentals are far more interesting/intriguing than the sub-par lyrics.

9) Take Your Mask Off (ft/ Daniel Caesar and LaToiya Williams):

This is about being yourself and not hiding one's self.

10) Tomorrow:

With a nice guitar, this deals with thinking about the future.

11) Thought I Was Dead (ft/ Schoolboy Q and Santigold):

This has an interesting march/funk vibe.

12) Like Him (ft/ Lola Young):

This track drags on.

13) Balloon (ft/ Doechii):

With a synth-pop opening, Doechii brings some much needed energy.

14) I Hope You Find Your Way Home:

There's a nice synth breakdown.

I found this overall to be a bit up and down. Chromakopia has its high moments though. (78.4)

Bad Bunny "Debi Tirar Mas Fotos" - 84.5

Kendrick Lamar "GNX" - 84.1

Sabrina Carpenter "Man's Best Friend" - 82.4

Leon Thomas "Mutt" - 78.8

Tyler, The Creator "Chromakopia" - 78.4

Justin Bieber "Swag" - 69.6

 

2026 Grammy's Album Review: "GNX" - Kendrick Lamar

 

Its that time of year for my annual series reviewing all of the album of the year nominees. This year I graded each track out of 100, and then of course averaged it out. On albums that feature interludes, or on certain tracks that are around a minute or shorter, those won't be judged toward the album.

"GNX" - Kendrick Lamar

(PGLang/Interscope Records)

1) Wacced Cut Morals:

Acting as an opening statement, this track clicks in about midway through; "I never lost who I am for a rap image".

2) Squabble Up:

This track pops immediately.

3) Luther (w/ SZA):

A slower and mellower track; "If this world was mine, I'd take your enemies in front of God". This is a perfect blend between the two.

4) Man at the Garden:

Dealing with what he feels he's owed, this goes hard at the end. However, the "I deserve it all" refrain/mantra gets repetitive.

5) Hey Now (ft/ Dody6):

A very smooth flow; "You crash out, you better break the backboard". 

6) Reincarnated:

With a nice beat, this gets deep; "I manipulated power, as I lied to the masses".

7) TY OFF (ft/ Lefty Gunplay):

Up-tempo, there's a cool breakdown midway.

8) Dodger Blue (ft/ Wallie the Sensei, Siete7x, and Roddy Ricch):

Very bluesy; "Don't say you hate L.A, but live in L.A and pretend". 

9) Peakaboo (ft/ AZChike):

I found this track to be a bit clunky.

10) Heart Pt. 6:

Slower paced, this track uses a well placed sample; "Use your hearts and not your eyes".

11) GNX (ft/ Hitta J3, YoungThreat and Peysoh):

The vibe switches up. I particularly enjoyed Hitta's verse.

12) Gloria (w/ SZA):

A smooth vibe; "I've been getting used to what open-minded people do".

Kendrick Lamar just hits every single time, and that's no different on "GNX". A well-paced album. In the future, I'd love to see what Kendrick could do with a collaborative album with SZA (those features really clicked for me). (84.1)

Bad Bunny "Debi Tirar Mas Fotos" - 84.5

Kendrick Lamar "GNX" - 84.1

Sabrina Carpenter "Man's Best Friend" - 82.4

Leon Thomas "Mutt" - 78.8

Justin Bieber "Swag" - 69.6

 

2026 Grammy's Album Review: "Swag" - Justin Bieber

 

Its that time of year for my annual series reviewing all of the album of the year nominees. This year I graded each track out of 100, and then of course averaged it out. On albums that feature interludes, or on certain tracks that are around a minute or shorter, those won't be judged toward the album.

"Swag" - Justin Bieber

(Def Jam/ILH)

1) All I Can Take:

Despite a dreamy soundscape intro, the vocals come off as very whiny. Its almost like Bieber is doing a poor Michael Jackson impression.

2) Daisies:

With a funk intro, the vocals are improved from the opening track. A very catchy song.

3) Yukon:

The vocals are pitched or distorted. The lyrics are very cringe.

4) Go Baby:

A perfectly fine track, nothing spectacular lyrically.

5) Things You Do:

A short track, but with interesting instrumentals.

6) Butterflies:

There's a nice drum beat midway through.

7) Way It Is (w/ Gunna):

Back to a dream soundscape, but the whiny vocals return.

8) First Place: 

Justin sounds better in falsetto here. There's a nice heavy beat.

9) Soulful (w/ Druski)

10) Walking Away:

This is a back to form of sorts.

11) Glory Voice Memo:

His raw vocals really pop on this.

12) Devotion (w/ Dijon):

A slower track, this is very bluesy; "I promise to take my time giving you devotion".

13) Dadz Love (w/ Lil B):

More of an EDM vibe, its catchy but gets repetiive.

14) Therapy Session (w/ Druski)

15) Sweet Spot (w/ Sexyy Red):

The intro starts off smooth, but the writing (especially for Red) is just terrible and rather uncreative.

16) Standing On Business (w/ Druski)

17) 405:

Back to a soundscape vibe.

18) Swag (w/ Cash Cobain & Eddie Benjamin):

This track stalls out midway.

19) Zuma:

Another track showing Justin's raw vocals. This kind of sound is promising.

20) Too Long:

This comes off as somewhat experimental, particularly with the instrumentals.

21) Forgiveness (Performed by Marvin Winans)

I was dreading reviewing this album when it came around for this series....and while there were a couple bright spots, it was still a slog to get through. If there's anything super positive to say, it wasn't the complete trainwreck I was anticipating. Oddly enough, I got more out of the voice memos or tracks that were primarily Bieber's raw vocals. He doesn't need that whiny effect he sometimes puts on with his voice. (69.6)

Bad Bunny "Debi Tirar Mas Fotos" - 84.5

Sabrina Carpenter "Man's Best Friend" - 82.4

Leon Thomas "Mutt" - 78.8

Justin Bieber "Swag" - 69.6