After failing to select wide receiver Makai Lemon in the first round of the NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers had to quickly pivot to another player. In fact, they pivoted to drafting Arizona State offensive lineman Max Iheanachor at pick No. 21. While a wide receiver would have been a splash pick in the first round, the Steelers had to make the less attractive move by drafting for the trenches.
With the draft now concluded, it is time to take a deeper dive into how well picks like Iheanachor will impact the Steelers. In fact, insider Mark Kaboly has given the team a B grade for the selection and believes that Iheanachor could be the team’s long-term answer at right tackle.
The Pittsburgh Steelers Needed to Address the Offensive Line
GettySteelers HC Mike McCarthy is heading into his 19th season as an NFL head coach.
Here is what Kaboly had to write about why he gave the Steelers a B grade for the selection of Iheanachor:
“Iheanachor has all the physical traits to be one of the top tackles in the league for years to come…Iheanachor needs some seasoning before he takes over the (tackle) position long-term, but his ceiling is high.”
While veterans Broderick Jones and Dylan Cook are likely slated to be above Iheanachor on the initial depth chart, the former All-Big 12 performer has a real chance to be the future of the right tackle position. Plus, Jones’s injury history could be cause for concern. The Steelers didn’t make this pick for depth. They made it because they need more consistency at the position. After becoming a full-time starter for the Sun Devils each of the last two seasons, Iheanachor has time to fine-tune his skills before becoming a potential long-term starter in the Steel City.
The Steelers Have the Right Coaches in Place
GettyLong before he was hired to be the Steelers’ new OL coach this year, James Campen was the Packers‘ OL coach under Mike McCarthy.
One of the assistant coaches that new head coach Mike McCarthy brought with him to Pittsburgh this year was none other than offensive line coach James Campen. Here is what Campen had to say about Iheanachor after the team selected him on Thursday night:
“He’s productive, but not only is he productive, but with technique and fundamentals and also just his football intelligence and awareness, and just playing the game is just going to increase.”
Campen is one of the best offensive line coaches in all of football. Dating back to his 15-year run as an offensive assistant in Green Bay from 2004 to 2018 (2006-2018 with McCarthy), he is known for building and molding elite offensive lines. He also has a long history with future first-ballot quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who could very well be back with the Steelers for one more run. So, Steelers fans should feel very comfortable with the state of their offensive line room after the draft. They may have just discovered their long-term answer at the right tackle spot.
Like HEAVY’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on HEAVY
The post Steelers Receive Intriguing Draft Grade on First-Round Pick appeared first on HEAVY.