Jerome Bettis announced the Steelers’ first round draft pick last night in Pittsburgh…
The pick drew mixed reaction from fans but was mostly praised by the draft experts. A 6-6, 327-pound Arizona State offensive tackle, Max Iheanachor was a soccer and basketball player who moved to the United States at the age of thirteen and never played football until 2021, when he was in junior college. The Steelers chose him just after the Philadelphia Eagles traded up and took USC wide receiver Makai Lemon. The NFL Network reported that the Steelers were on the phone with Lemon as the Eagles’ trade and pick was announced.
General manager Omar Khan says puzzled Steelers fans are going to grow to love Iheanachor.
Coach Mike McCarthy said his offensive line coaches were thrilled with the pick.
Iheanachor ran the top time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. He allowed no sacks and only three quarterback hits in more than 500 pass-blocking snaps in the 2025 season for Arizona State.
The Steelers will have four picks today, barring a trade or two. They will select one player in the second round, with the 53rd overall choice, then three in the third round, picks number 76, 85, and 99.
Las Vegas took quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall selection. The biggest first round surprise was the Rams taking Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the thirteenth overall selection. He was projected as a late first round or early second round pick.
