The Pittsburgh Steelers are onto Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, where they’ll have four total picks between the second and third rounds. They selected Arizona State offensive lineman Max Iheanachor with the No. 21 overall pick in the first round.
Drafting an offensive player in the first round was not too surprising, as that is what many had projected for months leading up to the draft. However, many in Pittsburgh were hoping for a wide receiver.
Unfortunately, both Jordyn Tyson and Makai Lemon were off the board by the time they selected. Lemon was actually on the phone with the Steelers just as the Philadelphia Eagles traded up to No. 20 and then took the USC receiver.
It appears then that Iheanachor was a quick pivot, a Plan B option for the Steelers. CBS Sports’ Bryan DeArdo called the pick one of the biggest reaches in the first round.
Steelers Hit With Harsh Reach Label After Round 1
It’s not a good thing when your first-round selection is called a reach. But the Steelers seemingly had no choice but to go in that direction after being stunned by the Eagles, who took Lemon right out from underneath them.
While there is hope that Iheanachor will eventually be an integral part of the offensive line, that may be more about the future than the present. Much of that stems from his lack of football experience.
“While he was projected as a first-round pick, Iheanachor is a project,” DeArdo said. “Born in Nigeria, Iheanachor moved to the United States when he was 13. He grew up playing basketball and soccer and didn’t play football until college, where he made 31 starts for Arizona State. Iheanachor has loads of potential, but his lack of experience makes this a puzzling selection given the Steelers’ predicament at offensive tackle.
“With Broderick Jones suffering an injury setback, it could be a baptism by fire for Iheanachor, who will be part of a very young Pittsburgh offensive line.”
Jones’ setback is not the only issue the Steelers have on the offensive line. They are also having to replace Isaac Seumalo, who left for the Arizona Cardinals in free agency.
Steelers Front Office Facing Criticism After Draft Twist
Steelers beat writer Alan Saunders put the team on blast after the first round.
“Plan A was to draft a QB. Clearly, that plan failed, though little fault of the #Steelers. Plan B was to draft a wide receiver — a sensible pivot — and when Makai Lemon looked to be falling they planned to draft him. That plan failed when the Eagles sniped them, and the Steelers were at least somewhat to blame. Then, they seemed to run out of plans. And that’s unexcusable,” Saunders posted on X.
The Steelers used nearly all of their allotted time to select Iheanachor at No. 21, which appeared to show how surprised they were by the Eagles.
Senior writer for Pittsburgh Sports Now, Harry Psaros put the onus on general manager Omar Khan.
“Max Iheanachor is a promising prospect, but it seems Omar Khan had a reality check last night,” Psaros wrote. “With Lemon just one pick away and the #Steelers having the most draft picks at his disposal, Khan had the opportunity to match Philadelphia’s offer and Dallas would have been happy to prevent Lemon from joining their division. His failure to act suggests a lack of thorough consideration in this crucial moment. Just my opinion.”
His opinion is one that just might be a growing sentiment among the Steelers faithful. The organization now has to prove it is better prepared beginning on Day 2 with Rounds 2 and 3.
Steelers’ 1st-Round ‘Project’ Pick Called NFL Draft’s Biggest Reach