Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 first round NFL Draft grades: OT Max Iheanachor

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 21: Max Iheanachor #58 of the Arizona State Sun Devils prepares to block during the first half of the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium on September 21, 2024 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Pittsburgh Steelers surprised many when they drafted Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor with the 21st overall pick.

Our staff gathered their respective thoughts on the pick and turned in our grades on the selection, as we will each day of the NFL Draft. Here’s how the BTSC staff graded the pick. Ryan Parish : Fans wanted something sexier like a top WR but that just isn’t in line with how the Steelers, or most good teams, do business.

With $20 million+ each going to DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. , spending a 1st on WR never made sense. With the uncertainty around Broderick Jones – who was unlikely to get a second contract anyway – the Steelers and Big Mike chose to eat their vegetables and continue to build through the trenches.

The talking point about Iheanachor was that he was raw because he is relatively new to football. And yet to anyone who watched his tape, he wasn’t nearly as raw as the talking heads would have you believe, including a stellar performance against this year’s No. 2 overall pick.