The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor with their first pick in the 2026 draft. However, much of the focus is on what the Steelers didn’t do. They were on the phone with USC wide receiver Makai Lemon while the Dallas Cowboys were on the clock at the pick right before them. However, the Cowboys made a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, who leapfrogged Pittsburgh to take Lemon. Because of that, former Steelers corner Bryant McFadden labeled Pittsburgh his biggest draft loser of Day 1.
“The Steelers are my loser because of what transpired right before their pick was up,” McFadden said after the first round on CBS Sports HQ. “There’s a report that the Steelers called Makai Lemon. It’s legit. He was on the phone with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Pittsburgh Steelers had all intent to draft him, and they were letting Makai know that.
“While they were having that phone call, the Philadelphia Eagles traded up with the Dallas Cowboys in front of the Pittsburgh Steelers to 20 to take Makai. Clearly, they pulled a switcheroo on the Pittsburgh Steelers because they didn’t think the Philadelphia Eagles would do any business with a division foe. It felt like it put Pittsburgh in a very unprepared situation.”
Iheanachor might end up being a good player, and he fills a Steelers position of need. Broderick Jones’ uncertain status as he recovers from a neck injury leaves them with a big hole at tackle. Iheanachor is an interesting prospect with a lot of potential, and he could help solidify the Steelers’ offensive line.
However, there is some disappointment in the Steelers’ inability to land Lemon. They have a ton of draft capital, entering the draft with 12 picks, the most of any team. If they were intent on taking Lemon at 21, perhaps they should’ve made a move up to secure that selection. The Cowboys were clearly open for business.
They probably wouldn’t have minded making a deal with Pittsburgh instead of a division rival too. Unfortunately, the Steelers didn’t make a move, forcing them to pivot to Iheanachor.
Does that make them the biggest loser of the first round? That’s debatable. It’s a little more embarrassing because the draft is in Pittsburgh this year, but there’s no telling how Lemon or Iheanachor will turn out. This might end up being a blessing in disguise.
The important part is to not overreact. The rest of the draft is still yet to come. Perhaps the Steelers will package some picks to land one of the top remaining Day 2 prospects. They could still use a receiver, but there are some decent options left. It’s an unfortunate situation, and it’s frustrating, but what’s done is done.