What came next pretty much followed the scripts outlined in a majority of the prognostications that were out there on multiple platforms. The Raiders started with QB Fernando Mendoza, and then the next 6 picks were players expected to come off the board early in some order, including the two Edge guys – David Bailey and Arvell Reese – RB Jeremiyah Love, WR Carnell Tate, CB Mansoor Delane, and ILB Sonny Styles.
In NFL scouting circles, most veterans in that part of the business are somewhat familiar with what Hall of Fame GM George Young called “the planet theory.” That being there are very few human beings on the planet who have both athleticism and size, and so if you want one you better get one early. This time, teams began embracing Young’s theory when Cleveland selected OT Spencer Fano at No. 9 overall. Then the planets started to align.
OT Francis Mauigoa, OT Kayden Proctor, G Olaivavega Ioane, OT Blake Miller, OT Monroe Freeling. Through the first 19 picks of this draft, a class said to be loaded at wide receiver had sent just 2 guys into the NFL while there had been 6 offensive linemen chosen over a 10-pick span in the middle part of the round.
When it came time for the Steelers to make the 21st overall pick in the round, it didn’t take them long to decide on OT Max Iheanachor, a 6-foot-6, 321-pound man who played only soccer and basketball in high school. Another piece to add to an offensive line that’s under reconstruction via 3 No. 1 picks and 1 No. 2 pick over the previous 4 drafts. It’s also quite possible Coach Mike McCarthy is hinting at the identity he wants from his first Steelers offense.
“I’m very excited about Max. Our offensive line coaches are bouncing off the wall,” said McCarthy in a post-pick media session. “I can’t tell you enough about him – we don’t have enough big men up front. He’s great for us. A stud of a young man. Throughout the process, you heard about him a little bit early, and he just kept growing and growing and growing through the evaluation. As we really wound down this week, he frankly just kept climbing up our board. We were just really excited that he was there. I think it’s an excellent pick for us. He’ll be a great addition to our offensive line.”