When it comes to NFL Draft steals, the Pittsburgh Steelers hope they have just that with quarterback Drew Allar. Selected with the No. 76 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the former Penn State star is looking to prove doubters and reshape the narrative surrounding his high-ceiling potential.
Once touted as a first-round talent, Allar’s decision not to enter the 2025 NFL Draft and instead return to Penn State for his senior season looks to have backfired. Along with early season struggles, Allar’s 2025 season at Penn State was further impacted by a season-ending ankle injury.
Thus, Allar never got a chance to live up to the hype he entered the season with and is one of the reasons CBS Sports labeled him one of the most questionable 2026 NFL Draft picks.
Why Drew Allar landed on CBS’ questionable 2026 Draft list
In highlighting Allar as a questionable draft pick for the Steelers, CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards pointed towards Allar’s potential that never came to fruition at Penn State and his inconsistent accuracy.
Edwards writes:
“Pittsburgh did a good job throughout the week, especially on Day 3, finding tough, accountable players. The next step for Allar as a quarterback was long-awaited, but never came. He offers the ideal size and the requisite arm strength, but was too robotic. The accuracy was spotty, and he heads to the NFL coming off an injury at Penn State.”
It’s the size, arm strength and toughness that makes Allar an intriguing pick, especially for a team like the Steelers who are still searching for a long-term answer at the position. With Mike McCarthy as head coach, there may be no better situation for a young quarterback like Allar to develop. With Mason Rudolph, 2025 sixth-rounder Will Howard, and perhaps Aaron Rodgers in the quarterback room, there isn’t a ton of pressure on a QB looking to prove himself at the next level.
If indeed Rodgers is back and leading the Steelers’ offense, Allar will get to learn behind a veteran and would be the QB with the rawer talent compared to both Rudolph and Howard. So, as a third-round pick, it’s not clear why this selection would be considered the most questionable given the Steelers need at the position.
Perhaps, the surprise here is how high Allar was selected. But even then, given how highly regarded Allar was prior to the 2025 season and the elite arm he showed at times at Penn State, both the Steelers and Allar find themselves in a high reward situation if McCarthy can unlock his potential. Who knows, maybe Rodgers will be a major inspiration in his development as well.
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