The Pittsburgh Steelers selected offensive tackle Max Iheanachor with the 21st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, a decision that surprised many given his unconventional path to the league and the timing of his rise on draft boards.
Iheanachor arrived in Pittsburgh the day after the draft, greeted by fans at Pittsburgh International Airport and stopping for photos before heading to team facilities. His journey began far from Division I football — he first played at East Los Angeles Community College after being encouraged by an AAU basketball coach, having only started playing football in the summer of 2021 following a move from Nigeria to Los Angeles at age 13.
At Arizona State, where he followed offensive line coach Saga Tuitele after initially planning to go to Fresno State, Iheanachor started 31 of 32 games over three seasons, primarily at right tackle. He earned second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2025 and did not allow a sack that season, while posting the sixth-best pressure rate among top draft prospects at 3.1 percent.
His athletic profile stood out during pre-draft evaluation. At the NFL Scouting Combine, he ran a 4.91-second 40-yard dash — second-best among offensive linemen — with a 1.73-second 10-yard split. Analysts noted his rare combination of size (6-foot-6, 321 pounds) and agility, which translated well to drills and one-on-one pass-rush scenarios.
The Steelers’ interest crystallized during February draft meetings, according to general manager Omar Khan. “We didn’t desire to trade away from this player — it just felt great,” Khan said, adding that Iheanachor “really grabbed our attention” when scout reports returned and the team began discussing prospects.
His stock surged during Senior Bowl week, where he held his own against top edge rushers and demonstrated both power, and technique. NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah praised his week of practice, noting Iheanachor “took coaching and continued to improve,” while Stacey Dales highlighted how well he managed the media and interpersonal demands of the event.
Despite the praise, analysts remain cautious about his readiness. Dane Brugler of The Athletic described Iheanachor as “still learning how to refine his talent on a more consistent basis,” suggesting he may need a redshirt year to develop under the Steelers’ coaching staff. Jeremiah echoed this, calling his tape “not full of perfect plays” but “full of clues” about his potential to become one of the best linemen in the class.
The club sees versatility in his skill set, noting he could start at guard before transitioning to tackle or even move inside depending on scheme and personnel needs. His background in soccer and basketball before football contributes to his footwork and body control, traits uncommon among traditional offensive linemen.
For a franchise that has invested heavily in its offensive line in recent years, the selection represents a bet on developmental upside rather than immediate impact. The Steelers are banking on his trajectory — rapid improvement, responsiveness to coaching, and rare athletic traits — to yield a long-term starter, even if it requires patience early in his professional career.
What position is Iheanachor expected to play for the Steelers?
The Steelers project him to initiate at guard, with potential to move to tackle or inside roles depending on development and team needs, though no official depth chart has been released.
Why did the Steelers not trade back in the first round despite having multiple needs?
General manager Omar Khan stated the team “didn’t want to trade away from this player” after he stood out in February evaluations, indicating strong internal conviction in his value at 21st overall.
How does Iheanachor’s background differ from most NFL offensive linemen?
He began playing football only in 2021 at a junior college, after growing up playing soccer and basketball, and did not start his football career until after high school — a significantly delayed entry compared to most Division I prospects.
