The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Oklahoma safety Robert Spears-Jennings in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Our staff weighs in with our grades.
Mike Nicastro: Spears-Jennings is a productive two-year starter with good speed and instincts. The value here seems reasonable when considering his special teams pedigree. The seventh round is where teams generally look for guys who can contribute on that unit, and if RSJ wants to make the team and have a chance to pop, he’ll have to make his name
there. Grade: B
Ryan Parish: Like a lot of 7th-round prospects, Spears-Jennings is more athlete than football player at this point in his development. He he has long arms for a defensive back and put up elite speed and jumping numbers at the Combine, the trick will be getting that to show up more on the field. Likely a career special teamer, he has the athletic testing that is worth a swing on this late in the draft, though I admit I’m baffled how Kansas State’s VJ Payne is still available. Grade: B
Joey Bray: Spears-Jennings ran a blazing 4.32 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He was a prouductibe starter for the Sooners who plays downhill very well. That type of safety who can play the run well is similar to that of Jaquan Brisker. I am a bit surprised that the Steelers waited this long to draft a safety given their interest in them during the pre-draft process. Given the draft capital investment and an already packed safety room, it’s likely Spears-Jennings will have to carve out a role on special teams to see the field early in his career. C+
Alex Hanczar: Spears-Jennings appears to be on the higher end in terms of late round draft value. Running a 4.32 40-yard dash the speed is certainly there. In his four years at Oklahoma, the safety tallied just two interceptions. Despite the fact he does not appear to be that of a ballhawk, he contributed strongly in the tackling department, registering 177 total tackles during his time with the Sooners. Grade: B
Ryland Bickley: Spears-Jennings is another player I’m not the most familiar with, but he’s the type of athletic player who can contribute on special teams you want to see go in the seventh round. Grade: A-
Jarrett Bailey: Spears-Jennings has tremendous speed and is incredibly versatile. He’ll have a shot to make the team as a special teams contributor first and foremost. Grade: B
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