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NFL
4 prospects the Steelers should have taken instead of Max Iheanachor
TL;DR
The Steelers missed out on key prospects during the 2026 NFL Draft, opting for Max Iheanachor instead of USC's Makai Lemon. Fans are questioning this decision and considering four alternatives that could have been better choices.
Key points
- Steelers hosted the 2026 NFL Draft.
- They lost USC's Makai Lemon to the Eagles.
- Steelers selected offensive lineman Max Iheanachor.
- Fans are questioning the decision.
- Four alternative prospects are suggested.
Makai LemonMax IheanachorPittsburgh SteelersPhiladelphia Eagles
Day One of the 2026 NFL Draft didn't go the way many Pittsburgh Steelers fans thought it would. Hosting the draft, many were excited about the idea of the team making a huge splashy pick in the first round, announced by Steelers legend Jerome Bettis.
And it almost worked.
Just minutes before the Steelers were set to take USC wide receiver Makai Lemon, they lost him when they were outsmarted by the Philadelphia Eagles. This forced the Steelers to pivot quickly and the team went from an elite receiver to a project offensive lineman in Max Iheanachor.
As we move forward, not just this season but down the road, we want to be sure we are on the record with four prospects the Steelers should have taken instead of Iheanachor and we will let their careers play out to see what happens.
S Dillon Thieneman - Oregon
Speed, athleticism, explosion and versatility. This is why the Bears took Thieneman and why he was such a smart pick.
G Keylan Rutledge - Georgia Tech
The best run-blocking lineman in the draft, bar none. He's a powerful mauler in the mold of Mason McCormick and an immediate starter for the Texans.
OT Caleb Lomu - Utah
Another lineman good enough to trade up for, Lomu is the forgotten guy on the Utah offensive lineman but he's a technician with plenty of power and could replace Will Campbell in the starting lineup.
WR Omar Cooper Jr. - Indiana
If you miss on Lemon, why not immediately take the next-best receiver? The quarterback situation could limit Cooper with the but make no mistake, he's a starting-caliber NFL receiver.
Q&A
Who were the top prospects the Steelers should have selected instead of Max Iheanachor?
The article discusses four specific prospects that the Steelers could have chosen instead of Max Iheanachor, highlighting their potential impact.
What happened during the Steelers' first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Steelers planned to select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon but lost him to the Philadelphia Eagles, leading to the selection of Max Iheanachor.
Why are Steelers fans disappointed with the selection of Max Iheanachor?
Fans are disappointed because they expected a more impactful pick and feel that Iheanachor is a less proven choice compared to the alternatives.
