The Pittsburgh Steelers have made their first selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, picking Max Iheanachor, offensive tackle, from Arizona State. There were plenty of pre-draft rumblings about the Steelers addressing their offensive line, especially with the recent news regarding Broderick Jones and his injury status.
This was the logical selection for the Steelers after the Eagles moved up one spot ahead of Pittsburgh to select Makai Lemon. With the top three receivers off the board and with Kenyon Sadiq gone to the Jets at No. 16, all of the top weapons were off the board.
But instead of reaching on someone like Omar Cooper Jr, the Steelers decided to continue to build up their offensive line. That usually ends up being a winning strategy in the long run.
The Pittsburgh Steelers make surprising first-round pick by taking OT Max Iheanachor
Iheanachor is new to football, but he was excellent at the Senior Bowl and showed plenty of traits for a first-round tackle. He primarily played right tackle at college, but it remains to be seen where he will play in Pittsburgh. Here is our expert analysis on the newest Pittsburgh Steeler from NFL Draft Expert Mike Luciano:
"Iheanachor burst on the scene when he had perhaps the best individual performance against David Bailey and Romello Height of any tackle in this class. Premium athlete doesn't even begin to describe someone with his mouth-watering combination of raw power and light feet.
His technique is still very much a work in progress, as he has committed 16 penalties in three years and can get beat by more experienced players with deeper toolboxes."
One thing is clear: Mike McCarthy wants to improve the trenches. This was his M.O. with the Packers and certainly with the Cowboys in recent years. And with Iheanachor being one of the most physically gifted tackles in the draft, it makes all the sense in the world why Pittsburgh is going in this direction.
The next pick for the Steelers will come on Day 2 of the NFL Draft at pick No. 53. Look for the Steelers to use that pick on offense again, likely targeting a wide receiver.
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