Full Breakdown
Steelers Draft Day 1: Max Iheanachor Selected Amid Wide-Receiver Miss
4/25/2026, 5:23:29 AM
The First-Round Decision: Max Iheanachor at No. 21
With the 21st overall pick, the Pittsburgh Steelers chose Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor. The 6-foot-5, 321-lb Nigerian-born lineman started 31 games at right tackle, earned second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2025, and was praised for his athleticism despite only beginning football in 2021. The selection marks the Steelers’ third first-round tackle in four years.
Missed Wide-Receiver Target: Makai Lemon and the Eagles’ Move
Pittsburgh entered the draft intent on selecting USC wide receiver Makai Lemon, a consensus top-15 talent and the No. 3 receiver in the class. After extensive pre-draft visits—15 of the top 16 receivers—Steelers GM Omar Khan called Lemon to convey intent. Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman, however, traded up from No. 23 to No. 20, handing the pick to the Eagles and leaving the Steelers empty-handed. The loss forced a pivot to a position the organization had not prioritized in the first round.
Rationale and Context: Offensive-Line Needs and Broderick Jones’ Injury
The Steelers’ offensive line entered 2026 with two uncertainties: veteran guard Isaac Seumalo departed in free agency, and left-tackle Broderick Jones, the 2023 first-round pick, was recovering from a neck injury that sidelined him for the final seven games of 2025. GM Khan emphasized that “nothing’s changed” with Jones, but the team lacked a clear plan for Iheanachor’s role. Head coach Mike McCarthy described the pick as part of a “position-flex” strategy, noting that Iheanachor could start at right tackle while Troy Fautanu potentially shifts to left side.
Official Statements & Responses
- “Nothing has changed with Broderick. He’s still working to get back to where he needs to be,” — Omar Khan.
- “I think all those things are discussions that will occur after the draft,” — Mike McCarthy.
- When asked if Iheanachor would play right tackle, McCarthy replied, “He hasn’t arrived yet.”
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts and fans widely questioned the move. Nate Rapoport (Twitter) lamented, “He’s got a (ginormous) bag,” implying the pick was a reach. The *Behind the Curtain* staff graded the selection a D, calling it “uninspiring” and suggesting the Steelers “panicked and reached.” Conversely, some outlets (SB Nation, NFL.com) saw developmental upside, awarding grades from B+ to A and noting the tackle’s “high-upside” profile.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Reports differ on Jones’ health: Khan claims no new information, while other sources note a “setback” in his recovery. Additionally, the Steelers have not publicly outlined a concrete plan for integrating Iheanachor, leaving uncertainty about whether the pick addresses the team’s most pressing need—wide receiver.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The Steelers are betting that Aaron Rodgers returns in 2026, but what’s the long-term plan?” — Matt Miller, ESPN.
- “Grade: A+ Ryland Bickley: Raw but high-upside is the one-liner with Iheanachor, but that doesn’t tell the full story.” — Ryland Bickley, *Behind the Curtain*.
- “ “If Jones is back then Iheanachor — who just started playing football a few years ago — gets more time to refine his game.” — Chad Reuter, NFL.com.
- “Iheanachor has the most intriguing developmental tools in the draft class, with truly everything you could want to play the tackle position in the NFL.” — Mike Renner, CBS Sports.
What’s Next: Day-Two Picks and Outlook
Pittsburgh’s Day 2 slate includes four selections: No. 53 (2nd round) and Nos. 76, 85, 99 (3rd round). Mock drafts and scouting reports highlight safety A.J. Haulcy (LSU), offensive guard Gennings Dunker (Iowa), and wide receiver Chris Brazzell II (Tennessee) as potential targets. The Steelers’ ability to address the receiver void while bolstering the trenches will shape the perception of Day 1’s controversial first-round choice.
