"He'll Be A Starter": Steelers Underrated Draft Selection Gets Big Boost Over D'Angelo Ponds

The Pittsburgh Steelers had an eventful 2026 NFL Draft as they entered the event with 12 selections. The city was also hosting the draft, which built up a ton of excitement around the organization. Many of Pittsburgh's selections have been discussed heavily already, including first-round pick Max Iheanachor. He is an exciting offensive tackle with a high ceiling, along with quarterback Drew Allar and wide receiver Germie Bernard. Gennings Dunker is already a fan favorite, but not many have mentioned Pittsburgh's other third round pick, cornerback Daylen Everette in the same light.

All of the top picks for the Steelers, aside from Everette, have been talked about a bunch -- even seventh-round pick Eli Heidenreich due to the pageantry around his selection. The organization believed enough in Everette to make him a third-round pick as he was drafted 85th overall. He was sandwiched between the team's selections of Allar and Dunker, so he was a bit overshadowed. He is a cornerback that played for four seasons at Georgia, and he has been a big contributor in the SEC for years.

Bob McGinn of Go Long spoke to scouts leading up to the draft, and one anonymous scout had some glowing remarks on Everette and what he could become in the league.

"Very good coverage skills," the scout said. "He'll be a starter. I would take him over D'Angelo Ponds just because if you're talking long-term, big man wins in football. He's got size, speed, ball skills. He's played in big games. He's used to the pressure of it all. He'll hold up pretty much in all situations."

This is glowing praise from a scout when it comes to a defensive back that wasn't talked about much leading up to the draft. This scout believes Everette will eventually be a starter, although he doesn't necessarily have a clear path to become one in Pittsburgh as of right now. The franchise just signed Jamel Dean to a three-year deal in free agency, and Joey Porter Jr. has emerged as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL and he is due an extension.

Everette is mostly known as an outside corner, but he did play in the slot some. For the most part he went against the best talent in the country during his time at Georgia, and he was considered a leader of that team for multiple years. He brings a past of winning with him, and his four years of experience in the SEC should have him prepared to be a starter in the league if he needs to be.

It is hard to determine where and when Everette would get on the field. It would have to be on special teams at first, but the cornerback room is fairly crowded. Dean and Porter are there, and then Asante Samuel Jr. and Brandin Echols are both returning. At best, Everette may be the third or fourth outside cornerback on the depth chart by the time the regular season rolls around. He should be considered a player for the future, as Dean is getting older and the Steelers could get out of his contract as early as next offseason.

Steelers' Daylen Everette Is Set Up For Success In The NFL

Everette of course played at a high level in college while at Georgia, but he has been going against the best throughout his entire football career. He attended one of the best prep schools in the nation to play high school football, IMG Academy. One of his teammates was the fourth overall pick in the draft, Carnell Tate. He used to cover him every day in practice while taking on the best teams in the nation. He is used to going against the best, which will only set him up for success.

What do you think about the future outlook for Everette? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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