The Pittsburgh Steelers’ rookie defensive class, headlined by a seventh-round gem, is injecting critical energy into the AFC North race. Two defenders, safety Robert Spears-Jennings and cornerback Daylen Everette, delivered a momentum-shifting play early in a win against the Cleveland Browns. The Steelers won their fourth straight game and sit atop the AFC North at the midway point of the season, with an unheralded class of rookie defenders contributing to that surge.
Early Momentum and Key Plays
Five plays into the game against the Browns, Spears-Jennings and Everette combined for a crucial turnover. Spears-Jennings swarmed tight end Harold Fannin Jr. after a short reception from Deshaun Watson, holding him in place while Everette ripped the ball from his hands and recovered it. The play gave the Steelers possession in Cleveland territory. Everette, a third-round pick, also had an interception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to go along with his forced fumble and recovery against the Browns. Spears-Jennings made his first career start against the Browns and has shown no signs of relinquishing the job.
Contributions Across the Defense
The impact from the Steelers’ rookie defenders extends beyond Spears-Jennings and Everette. Sixth-round pick Gabriel Rubio and undrafted free agent Kevin Jobity Jr. have also been excellent following injuries to Derrick Harmon and Sebastian Joseph-Day. Rubio has been a significant part of the NFL’s third-ranked run defense. Jobity, who got his first career sack against the Browns, made his NFL debut last month, as did Rubio. Their play has allowed veteran starters Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton to play fewer snaps, which is expected to keep them fresh later in the season.
A Seventh-Round Find
Spears-Jennings, selected in the seventh round as the 224th overall pick, has been the most impressive of the group. He has played more snaps (183) than any other Steelers rookie on defense and has shown rapid development.
“When we drafted the young man, the only thing we needed to do was fix one thing,” secondary coach Joe Whitt Jr. said. “Big plays found him in college because his eye control wasn’t there. That’s the only thing the kid didn’t have.”
Whitt has been impressed by Spears-Jennings’ tackling and communication skills.
“There is nothing from a safety position that this young man cannot do,” Whitt said. “We were very lucky to get him where we got him.”
The Steelers scouted safeties extensively before the 2026 draft, bringing in several top prospects, but Spears-Jennings has proven to be a quick study.
“The big plays are why he fell to where he fell. He doesn’t give them up [now],” Whitt said. “… He is a phenomenal young player. He’s going to be a good football player for us for a long time.”
