Pittsburgh Steelers Select Arizona State OT Max Iheanachor In First Round Of 2026 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers have selected Arizona State OT Max Iheanachor (pronounced ee-HAW-nuh-chore) with the 21st overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The third first-round offensive tackle of Omar Khan’s first four drafts, Iheanachor is a raw, high-upside player with all the tools to become an impact player for the Steelers’ young offensive line.

Iheanachor was not in for a pre-draft visit, but Pittsburgh held a formal meeting with him at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. Without a Pro Day visit, he breaks the Steelers’ streak of clear pre-draft interest in their top picks. Just senior scout Kelvin Fisher attended Arizona State Pro Day.

At 6057, 321 pounds, and with 33 7/8-inch arms, Iheanachor has ideal measurements for an NFL tackle. He matches the measurables with great athleticism, including a 4.91-second 40-yard dash, 25 reps on the bench press, and a solid vertical of 30.5 inches.

Here’s the moment the pick came in.

Originally from Nigeria, Iheanachor grew up playing soccer. After moving to the U.S. at the age of 13, he initially took a liking to basketball. He’s a rare prospect who did not play football in high school. His basketball coach convinced him to try it, and he did so via the JUCO route at East Los Angeles College before transferring to Arizona State as a top-10 JUCO prospect.

His technique is understandably raw in a lot of ways, but he still has surprisingly good college tape and looked excellent at the Senior Bowl in January against top competition.

Our full scouting report on Max Iheanachor compared him to Broderick Jones, with similarly raw technique and an ideal athletic profile for the position. The report concluded the following:

“Considering he didn’t know how to put on his pads just five years ago, Iheanachor is still very raw as a player. There’s a lot to like with ideal size, elite movement skills, and improving technique from year to year at Arizona State. His use of hands will need to improve overall, and he could stand to impose his will more often as a blocker in the run game. Dominance at the Senior Bowl likely helped his case, and his limitless potential will push him higher up on the board than he perhaps is ready for.”

Iheanachor may not be ready to contribute as a Week 1 starter, but he projects as a capable bookend on either side of the Steelers’ offensive line. All of his experience came on the right side in college, but he’s clearly unique in how fast he’s able to pick up new skills. Pittsburgh has potential openings at left guard and left tackle, either of which he could be in play for at some point during his rookie season.

If it all comes together for the young 22-year-old prospect, he could emerge as the best NFL tackle in the class when it’s all said and done. Read our full scouting report below.