The Pittsburgh Steelers made a bold choice in the 2026 NFL Draft by selecting Arizona State’s offensive tackle, Max Iheanachor, with their first-round pick. Many didn’t see this coming, but he has impressive potential that could make him one of the best in this draft class.
Draft grades are in, and opinions are varied. CBS Sports’ Mike Renner gave Iheanachor a B+ grade. He emphasized that this pick might not pay off immediately, but it has great long-term potential. Renner praised Iheanachor for his size, athletic ability, and only five years of football experience, suggesting he has plenty of room to grow.
Others, like Nick Baumgardner and Scott Dochterman from The Athletic, were a bit more cautious, handing out a B- grade. They see talent in Iheanachor but noted he’s quite raw and may not contribute right away.
With Broderick Jones recovering from a neck injury, Iheanachor might need to step up as a starter sooner than expected. Dylan Cook’s impressive performance at the end of last season could ease this transition, allowing Iheanachor to adapt to the NFL’s demands.
Yahoo Sports’ Charles McDonald and SI.com’s Matt Verderame both echoed a positive sentiment, giving him B+ grades as well. They acknowledged his upside, with McDonald commenting that he could be a key player for the Steelers’ young offensive line.
Iheanachor, at 22, offers a middle ground in age compared to his fellow tackles, making him part of a dynamic lineup shaped by recent developments in college eligibility policies due to COVID-19. This fact could give him additional experience compared to younger players.
Interestingly, Trevor Sikkema from Bleacher Report was particularly high on Iheanachor, issuing him an impressive A grade. He highlighted the tackle’s ability to handle both power and speed, noting his standout performance against top talent like the No. 2 overall pick in the draft.
While some fans may have wanted a safer pick, Iheanachor could grow on them as his skills develop. The general consensus among experts seems to be that while this wasn’t an obvious choice, the Steelers might have unwrapped a gem in this draft.
In the world of sports, these decisions often take time to bear fruit. As the season unfolds, Steelers fans will be watching closely to see if all this potential translates into real success on the field.
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