The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23 with a league-high 12 picks over the three-day draft.<\/p>\n
As the host of this year\u2019s draft, the Steelers are well-positioned for an eventful weekend. With a dozen picks \u2014 including a trio in Round 3 and two in Round 4 \u2014 they have plenty of draft capital. They started things off with Arizona State OT Max Iheanachor.<\/p>\n
Based on pre-draft visitors and rumblings behind the scenes, it appears their other top priorities are: wide receiver, an offensive guard to replace Isaac Seumalo and a couple of impact defensive backs. Later in the draft, they\u2019ll likely add a tight end to round out the room, an inside linebacker, another receiver and a mid-round quarterback. At the right time, they\u2019ll also likely add more youth to the defensive line.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s a lot of needs. But with so many picks, they\u2019ll have a chance to address almost every spot on the roster in some way.<\/p>\n
Keep coming back here throughout the draft for grades and analysis of each Steelers pick.<\/p>\n
Round 1No. 21: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona StateHow he fits<\/p>\n
For the third time in four years, the Steelers used a first-round pick on an offensive tackle. Is this an admission that the Steelers whiffed on Broderick Jones in 2023? You have to read it that way. Iheanachor has plenty of talent but is really raw. If the Steelers are patient, he could be a real find. I\u2019m not sure how much he helps right away, however.<\/p>\n
Born in Nigeria, Iheanachor (6-6, 321) moved to the United States at age 13 and first started playing football after graduating from high school in 2021. He spent two seasons at East Los Angeles College before earning a scholarship to Arizona State, where Iheanachor started 31 games as a right tackle. He was a second-team All-Big 12 offensive lineman last year. \u2014 Scott Dochterman<\/p>\n
Dane Brugler\u2019s analysis<\/p>\n
A starter for two-and-a-half years at Arizona State, Iheanachor lined up at right tackle in offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo\u2019s gap scheme. After he started playing football in the summer of 2021, the Nigerian native ascended quickly at the juco level before becoming a starter for the Sun Devils. He made clear improvements each of the past three seasons and played his best ball as a senior (zero sacks allowed). He was also one of the standouts during Senior Bowl week.<\/p>\n
With his proportionate thickness and movement skills, Iheanachor passes the eye test with flying colors. Having grown up playing soccer and basketball, he has fluid footwork and body control in his pass sets, although he can do a better job governing his quickness to avoid spacing issues. The lack of polish in his hands leads to errant placement (flagged six times for holding in 2025) and catching too much contact. He is rangy as a run blocker and is improving his finishing toughness.<\/p>\n
Mike DeFabo\u2019s analysis<\/p>\n