The draft board didn’t fall the Steelers’ way in the first round Thursday night. The Baltimore selected guard Olaivavega Ioane, my top target for Pittsburgh, at pick 14. Arizona State WR Jordan Tyson, possibly the most talented receiver in this draft, went even earlier at pick eight to New Orleans. Makai Lemon, another stud WR, was taken by the Philadelphia Eagles, who traded with the Dallas Cowboys to jump directly in front of Pittsburgh. With the three players who would’ve been A+ selections long gone by pick 21, the hometown crowd watched the Pittsburgh Steelers surprisingly draft Max Iheanachor in round 1.
Max Iheanachor Is A Raw But Talented Tackle
Max Iheanachor is a raw but talented tackle who didn’t begin playing football until 2021. The Arizona State product has very appealing physical traits. Measuring at almost 6’6 and 321 pounds, Iheanachor ran a very fast 4.91 forty with a 1.73-second 10-yard split, earning a very impressive RAS score of 9.86. There is a lot to like about Iheanachor.
The main issue with Iheanachor being drafted so high is his lack of football experience. A JUCO transfer, who was a basketball player, has barely played football. Making it to the NFL, especially as a first-round pick, is quite impressive. However, Iheanachor will have a steep learning curve and will need time to develop.
Where Iheanachor Fits With The Steelers
Current Steelers left tackle Broderick Jones has not been the player Pittsburgh hoped for since being drafted 14th overall in 2023. Even if Jones was playing at a high level, he is suffering from a serious neck injury, which may be more significant than previously thought. Jones is not expected to have his fifth-year option exercised for 2027. It sure looks like the selection of Iheanachor means Jones’s days in Pittsburgh are numbered.
However, Iheanachor is strictly a right tackle. The Steelers already have 2024 first-round pick Troy Fautanu entrenched at right tackle. Will Iheanachor’s arrival force the Steelers to switch Fautanu to LT, especially if Jones departs? HC Mike McCarthy didn’t rule it out.
Was Iheanachor The Right Pick?
Time will tell if the Steelers made the right pick with Iheanachor. It certainly was a surprising pick, though. Plenty of wide receivers, widely thought of as a top positional target for Pittsburgh, were available at pick 21. The Steelers had their pick of Omar Cooper Jr, KC Concepcion, or Denzel Boston, but elected to pass. Defensively, the Steelers could have taken safety Dillon Thieneman or linebacker CJ Allen. GM Omar Khan chose Iheanachor over them as well. The neck injury to Broderick Jones may have forced the Steelers’ hand.
If Iheanachor reaches his full potential, this will be a terrific pick. However, if he struggles to adjust to the NFL, the Steelers will regret this choice for a long time.
This pick is sure to receive a polarizing response from fans and draft analysts. Some will love it, and some will hate it. One thing is certain: Max Iheanachor is now a Pittsburgh Steeler.
He certainly has the talent to become a very good one.
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