Steel City Underground covers the 2026 NFL Draft, focusing on the selections made by the Pittsburgh Steelers in this series.
The stage was set in Pittsburgh for the 2026 NFL Draft as fans of all 32 teams awaited the first round selections. The Steelers stayed in place at pick no. 21, watching mock draft favorite offensive tackle Olaivavega Ioane from Penn State get selected by the Baltimore Ravens β an AFC North division rival. Instead, the Steelers selected tackle Max Iheanachor of Arizona State in the first round.
The Steelers, who remain optimistic about Broderick Jones despite a neck injury and struggles early in his career, watched the run on top-tier tackles happened and grabbed Iheanachor for his position versatility per head coach Mike McCarthy.
With the 21st pick in the 2026 NFL Draft the Pittsburgh Steelers select OT Max Iheanachor pic.twitter.com/6WnWCkcXYK
β π¦ππ²π²πΉ ππΆππ π¨π»π±π²πΏπ΄πΏπΌππ»π± (@steelcityundrgr) April 24, 2026
Iheanachor, who started football in junior college before transferring to the Sun Devils, had a good test session at the Pro Scouting Combine this spring. At 6β5β³, 321 lbs, Iheanachor sprinted the 40-yard dash in 4.91 seconds (second-fastest among all offensive linemen). His Senior Bowl performance elevated his draft position.
With the 21st Pick of the 2026 NFL Draftβ¦ Max Iheanachor is a Steeler πͺ#Big12FB | @ASUFootball pic.twitter.com/0DgmPMM7vb
β Big 12 Studios (@big12studios) April 24, 2026
Iheanachor is quick-footed off the offensive line, too, with good lateral movement and climbs to the second level. His development with the Steelers will likely focus on better balance and more pop off the snap.
There is little doubt that former Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward, now the receivers coach at Arizona State, did not influence general manager Omar Khan and coach McCarthy when evaluating Iheanachor.
GM Omar Khan and Coach McCarthy speak to the media after our first-round selection.
β Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 24, 2026
The possibility for Troy Fautanu to move to left tackle is there, but Khan and McCarthy both told the media that the Steelers have versatility along the entire offensive line. Iheanachor is now a piece of building strength in the trenches. That will be critical for Pittsburghβs offense whether Aaron Rodgers returns or Will Howard takes the reins at quarterback.
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