The Pittsburgh Steelers used the 21st pick in the draft to get Max Iheanachor.
Because of Broderick Jones' neck injury, the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Max Iheanachor with the 21st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Iheanachor was an All-Big 12 Second Team selection in 2025, but NFL analyst Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report gave the Steelers only a "C" for their pick of Iheanachor.
"The Pittsburgh Steelers felt almost forced into a corner with this particular selection after learning that left tackle Broderick Jones suffered a setback with last season's neck injury.
"Even a healthy version of Jones could have been replaced after a disappointing performance over the last two seasons. He likely won't be replaced by Max Iheanachor, who is a natural right tackle still learning the game."
Iheanachor did not allow a single sack last college football season at Arizona State across 484 pass-blocking snaps.
Iheanachor said he had a meeting with the Steelers at the NFL Combine and a Zoom call with them afterwards. He didn't know if he would end up in Pittsburgh, but he is happy he did.
"It meant the world. It was a surreal feeling," said Iheanachor. "Can't describe it. No other feeling like that. It was a once in a lifetime experience for sure. I am still very emotional right now. Just really grateful for the opportunity. Ready to come in and get some work.
"I am really excited for the opportunity. They have a really young o-line room. Getting ready to come in and compete. I am ready."
The Steelers don't know if Aaron Rodgers will be their QB next season, but they are confident that Iheanachor is going to be a strong fit on their team.
"He's great for us. A stud of a young man," said Coach Mike McCarthy. "Throughout the process, you heard about him a little bit early, and he just kept growing and growing and growing through the evaluation."
Time will tell if Iheanachor is the right pick for the Steelers, who lost to the Houston Texans in the wild-card round of the 2026 playoffs. Iheanachor vows to be hard worker.
"A guy that is going to come in and work hard," said Iheanachor. "Still be a sponge. I am ready to learn. Whatever it is, I am willing to do. I am ready to learn. Ready to compete. Come in and just work hard."