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Did Omar Khan Find Steelers Another Draft Gem in Gabriel Rubio?
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- Did Omar Khan Find Steelers Another Draft Gem in Gabriel Rubio?
When the Pittsburgh Steelers placed Derrick Harmon on injured reserve, they created a significant void on the defensive line that wouldn't be easy to fill. Fortunately, Pittsburgh still has solid depth up front. However, the Steelers needed someone to step in and contribute until Harmon can return. They had two young defensive tackles to choose from for the active roster in Week 5, and their sixth-round draft pick got the call.
Gabriel Rubio was a relatively unknown prospect when the Steelers selected him in this year's draft. However, he impressed during training camp and the preseason, earning a spot on the 53-man roster. In Week 5, he made his debut on the active game-day roster. Needless to say, Rubio made the most of his opportunity and may have given Omar Khan another late-round draft gem.
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Rubio's Contributions in Week 5 Were Head-Turning
Aug 13, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Devan Boykin (40), defensive end Gabriel Rubio (96) and cornerback Daylen Everette (23) tackle Green Bay Packers running back Damien Martinez (26) during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Across 10 run-defense snaps with Rubio on the field, the Colts gained just seven yards . Four of those snaps resulted in no gain or a loss of yardage. The tape showed Rubio's impressive ability to anchor on contact and control Indianapolis' interior offensive linemen. He did so against established veterans like Tanor Bortolini and Quenton Nelson , which is no easy task. His performance caught many observers by surprise.
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Rubio played just 14 snaps on the day, recording two total tackles and one run stuff. On a day when the Steelers needed someone to help fill the void left by Harmon, Rubio delivered against the run. His only notable weakness emerged in pass-rush situations, where his limitations were apparent across four pass-rush snaps. However, the Steelers knew he needed to develop that part of his game heading into the season.
Rubio Has Earned More Snaps on Run Downs
NFL Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Gabriel Rubio. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Rubio has made a strong case for more opportunities on running downs as a zero- or one-technique defensive tackle. He logged two snaps from the A-gap against the run and performed effectively. Will anyone confuse him with the second coming of Casey Hampton ? Probably not. Still, Rubio delivered an impressive debut for a rookie whom practically no one knew on draft night.
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Time will tell whether the Steelers give him more opportunities. In today's NFL, defensive tackles generally need to offer some pass-rush ability to earn consistent playing time. Rubio still has work to do in that area, but his strong performance on Sunday showed encouraging potential.
Could Rubio earn more snaps and carve out an unexpectedly significant role for himself in 2026? His Week 5 debut gave the Steelers a reason to find out.
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This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
