Entering training camp, the big question surrounding Pittsburgh Steelers rookie first-round pick Max Iheanachor was how much time he\u2019d need getting up to speed in the NFL.<\/p>\n
Turns out, at least through the first two padded practices in Latrobe at Saint Vincent College, not much time at all.<\/p>\n
The Post-Gazette\u2019s Ray Fittipaldo said Wednesday morning during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan that Iheanachor looks better than former first-round pick Broderick Jones ever has.<\/a> Steelers Depot\u2019s Alex Kozora has also been rather impressed with Iheanachor.<\/p>\n In his piece breaking down each of the 10 draft picks so far in training camp, Kozora stated Iheanachor has been really good in the first two padded practices, holding his own in pass protection against the likes of T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig, Alex Highsmith and Jack Sawyer. Although he did have some tough moments as a run blocker, Iheanachor is looking like the player Pittsburgh drafted him to be<\/a>, Kozora wrote.<\/p>\n That should be music to the Steelers\u2019 ears, even if the selection process of him was a bit messy in the moment.<\/p>\n For former NFL GM Doug Whaley, who appeared on 93.7 The Fan\u2019s morning show Wednesday after Fittipaldo, Iheanachor\u2019s development is a positive sign and should be making everyone in the organization very happy.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s great news, because the scouting report was had all the physical tools and skills to be able to ascend to an elite level tackle, but just hasn\u2019t done it before, hasn\u2019t done it on a consistent basis and needed some fine tuning on the technical aspects of the position,\u201d Whaley said of Iheanachor, according to audio via 93.7 The Fan.<\/a> \u201cSo for him to be able to assert himself technically this early in his career and in this early in camp is nothing but a positive sign. Now the next step will be able to take that technical aspect and meld it into a team setting and be able to work with the guard, being able to recognize and pick up TE stunts, end-tackle stunts, knowing who\u2019s the\u2026closest pressure and being able to get the guy coming off the edge and being able to identify pressure coming off.<\/p>\n \u201cSo those are the things that are gonna come and they\u2019ll come with experience and playing in a team setting,\u201d Whaley added. \u201cBut for him to be able to ascend, like I said, this early in camp with the technical aspect of playing position, everybody should be grinning ear to ear.\u201d<\/p>\n