Steelers Now
An NFL analyst believes one of the Pittsburgh Steelers rookies will start off his NFL career fast.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are hoping to have hit their 2026 NFL Draft class out of the park. However, NFL analyst James Palmer thinks that is almost a guarantee for one of their rookies.
Palmer believes wide receiver Germie Bernard could turn out to be an absolute steal for the Steelers.
“He is everything that I think Pittsburgh Steelers fans want in a player,” Palmer said on Steve Smith Sr.’s podcast. “He’s tough. He’s physical. He can be moved around. He doesn’t get bumped off his routes real well. Defenders’ contact doesn’t really affect him at all. You get your first year to work with a guy like Aaron Rodgers, and you have veterans like DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman in your room. I think he’s set up to start his career really, really well.”
The Steelers are clearly high on Bernard after trading up to pick No. 47 in the second round of this year’s draft to land him.
The Alabama product is coming off a career-high 64 catches for 862 yards and seven touchdowns in 2025.
However, Bernard is going to have to earn his playing time while fighting for reps with Metcalf, Pittman and Roman Wilson.
Bernard has already been earning the respect of his new teammates, though, which makes Palmers’ prediction look pretty good as of now.
“I think he came in the right way. He has put his head down and he’s working hard and he’s executing the plays,” Pittman said. “I mean, he’s been here for two weeks and I feel like he already knows everything. So, whatever he’s doing is working, and I think he’s going to keep on getting better.”
Bernard also impressed at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he recorded a 4.48-second 40-yard dash, 32.5-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-5 broad jump, earning an athleticism score of 75, which ranked 19th at the position.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Analyst Predicts Steelers Rookie to Ascend Very Quickly
