Jaquan Brisker Brings Big Upside to Safety
by Bo Marchionte
@bomarchionte | College2Pro.com
Published June 5, 2026, 7:19 AM
Covering the Steelers for nearly two decades, the off-season always is fun. Players aren’t dealing with wins and losses, and communication is a lot less stressful. The roster is nearly doubled as a bounty of players eagerly try to make the final cuts.
So familiar names like T.J. Watt or Aaron Rodgers draw all the headlines but my affinity is for those lesser-known guys who I hope to earn their place in the National Football League, while battling against the dreaded final cuts.
Some of those individuals and other more household names are mentioned as players who stood out so far this off-season on the Southside of Pittsburgh at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
As we delve into this process remember we are not allowed to really reveal much about what we see at OTAs. For example, where the player is lining up or if they’re taking first team reps and so on.
It’s part of the process but nonetheless viewing the players in action and catching who is doing what and how well is so valuable as Pittsburgh will be St. Vincent College home in about two months.
The list is compiled of five players that have stood out to me and that doesn’t mean others have not but with one set of eyes you can’t see everything.
Roman Wilson, Receiver
2024 NFL Draft: Third Round
- Career Numbers
- Receptions: 12
- Yards: 166
- Touchdowns: 2
Thus far, Wilson’s time in Pittsburgh has been disappointing. After missing his rookie season due to injury, he struggled to establish himself in 2025. Despite receiving ample opportunities, the former Michigan standout finished with just 12 receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns, falling short of expectations.
However, during OTAs, the third-year wide receiver has been making the most of his chances. No. 14 has consistently flashed throughout practices, offering reminders of why the Steelers invested a third-round pick in him.
In fact, after many of his better plays, it’s not uncommon to see teammates rally around him with congratulations and encouragement, a sign that those inside the building continue to believe in his potential.
It’s still early, but Wilson’s draft pedigree and recent progress are enough to keep the Steelers intrigued. Now wearing No. 14 after previously sporting No. 10, Wilson appears to be embracing a fresh start as he enters a pivotal third season in Pittsburgh.
I like the symbolism of the jersey change. It subtly reinforces the idea that Year 3 is a reset rather than simply another season.
Quick Hits on Slaughter
- Position: Cornerback (also played safety in college)
- Height/Weight: 6’0″, 190 lbs.
- College: Tennessee (2020–2023), Arkansas (2024)
- High School: Decatur & Roswell, GA
- Experience: 1 NFL season (2025) before joining Steelers in 2026.
One of my favorite beat writers Nick Farabaugh of PennLive pointed out Doneiko Slaugter at practice the other day. It wasn’t a disappointment dialing in more on No. 19, but wearing the same number as punter Cameron Johnston does show caution on his ability to make final cuts.
Terrific size and physical or at least as physical as you can being during OTAs, Slaughter went undrafted in 2025 out of Arkansas.
“My versatility,” Slaughter said was one of his bet qualities. “Just staying focused on and staying in my technique and just being who I am.”
Slaughter says he has been playing nickel for the majority of his career. Running a 4.5 forty isn’t elite for a defensive back but his 6.75 3-cone does show the short area burst and change of direction needed to succeed in the National Football League.
Last year he spent time in Jacksonville prior to being waived by the Jaguars as part of their final cuts.
Sebastian Castro, Safety
Pro Day/Combine Measurements
- Height: 5’11”
- Weight: 203 lbs.
- Arm length: 30 3/4″
- Hand span: 10 1/2″
- 40-yard dash: 4.59 s
- 10-yard split: 1.59 s
- Three-cone drill: 7.11
- Vertical jump: 32.0″
- Broad jump: 9’9″
- Bench press: 13 reps
Castro carries a quiet demeanor during interviews and media sessions, but that isn’t the case once he steps onto the field.
The former Iowa standout went undrafted last season and spent time on the Steelers’ practice squad before being signed away by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“I was just blessed to be claimed off the practice squad and what not,” Castro said following OTA practice.
Appearing in nine games and recording three tackles as a rookie, Castro remains in the early stages of his NFL journey. However, Pittsburgh appears to have increased confidence in him entering Year 2, particularly based on some of the roles and alignments we’ve seen during OTA sessions.
“Yeah, I feel like in year two you want to have a good jump,” Castro said about his familiarity with the system. “But like if you had a good first year, I just feel like you have to be more consistent and making plays.”
It’s far too early to start projecting training camp storylines in Latrobe, but from what I’ve seen so far, I’d be surprised if Castro isn’t generating considerably more buzz by the time the Steelers arrive at Saint Vincent College later this summer.
Jaquan Brisker, Safety
Bears Career Numbers
- Total Tackles: 362
- Sacks: 7
- Interceptions: 4
- Forced Fumbles: 4
- Games: 52
Seeing Brisker up close, the first thing that stands out is his size and length. Then you watch No. 3 move around the field, and it becomes obvious why the Steelers targeted him. Simply put, he’s a football player.
With nine interceptions during his college career and four defensive touchdowns, Brisker built a reputation as both a physical defender and a true playmaker on the back end of a defense.
One sequence during OTAs stood out. DK Metcalf hauled in a pass over the middle, and Brisker was in perfect position to deliver what would have been a thunderous hit. There is no contact during OTA practices, of course, but Brisker let out a yell as if to signal he had his target lined up and dead to rights.
“There was a couple teams calling,” Brisker said when discussing free agency this past March. “I felt like the opportunity was right here. Especially the way I’ll be used the way coach PG (Patrick Graham) said I’ll be used.”
That vision appears to align with the philosophy of Pittsburgh’s defensive staff.
“Whenever I’ve worked in the secondary, we’ve always gotten the ball,” Joe Whitt Jr. said. “We’ve led the league in interceptions three or four times since I’ve been in the league.”
That emphasis on creating turnovers is a perfect fit for Brisker and his ball-hawking mentality.
“It’s all about leading the NFL in takeaways,” Brisker said.
Germie Bernard, Receiver
Combine Measurables
- Height: 6’1″ (6’1¼” in some reports)
- Weight: 206 lbs
- Arm Length: 30 3/8 inches
- Hand Size: 9 7/8 inches
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.48 seconds
- 10-Yard Split: 1.52 seconds
- Vertical Jump: 32.5 inches
- Broad Jump: 10’5″
- 3-Cone Drill: 6.71 seconds
- 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.31 seconds
As the second selection in the Steelers’ 2026 draft class, Bernard has been one of the early bright spots throughout offseason practices.
He seems to catch everything thrown his way, and that’s a significant step toward earning the trust of his quarterbacks. The transition from rookie receiver to dependable game-day target begins with consistency, and Bernard has displayed plenty of it.
There isn’t anything flashy about his game, but there is substance.
It’s the way he carries himself. It’s the way he stacks one positive play after another. Those qualities are what create lofty expectations for a rookie entering his first NFL season.
Projecting 60 targets may be a bit ambitious, but Bernard appears to be an ideal fit within Mike McCarthy’s offensive system. If his early performance is any indication, the passing game and Bernard could be in sync for some notable production in 2026.
