Steelers Get Harsh News About Their 2026 NFL Draft Class

The Pittsburgh Steelers had the rug swept from under them in a controversy surrounding a premature call with draft prospect Makai Lemon. The Philadelphia Eagles jumped Pittsburgh to nab Lemon in a trade-up. The Steelers' front office quickly pivoted and selected Arizona State University tackle Max Iheanachor. The organization addressed the tackle position after 2025 starter Broderick Jones went down with a major neck injury that required surgery. His status for 2026 is up in the air, and recently, his fifth-year option was declined. This paves the way for Iheanachor to carve out a starting role on the Steelers' offensive line. 

Iheanachor's selection came as a surprise to many, as it was speculated that the front office would address guard or wide receiver in the first round rather than tackle. However were flying off the board early and often, and Iheanachor also has the versaility to potentially move inside. Five tackles were taken before the Steelers' pick at 21. Pittsburgh knew that it couldn't get one later, like it may have hoped for, so a high-ceiling prospect like Iheanachor made sense at the spot. 

The drop-off between first round and Day 2 tackle prospects would be apparent after the way the board fell, making this a huge pick for the organization. The Steelers' second-round pick was a receiver, though. The team traded up six spots from pick 53 to 47, and it elected to take Germie Bernard from the University of Alabama. 

He provides great route running and aggressive traits, which the Steelers seemed to be enamored by. There were several receivers taken before Bernard in the second round, as the position group was another hot commodity on draft weekend. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Christopher Carter spoke about the Steelers inability to get a top-five prospect in the draft on an episode of the North Shore Drive podcast. 

"I actually don't think that they got an elite prospect in this draft class. I'd say that Iheanachor and Bernard were in that premium to solid range. Neither were among the top five of their positions drafted," Carter said.

While neither was considered a top player at their position, they fixed needs for the Steelers. To address Iheanchor, Pittsburgh needed a solid anchor at tackle now that Jones is hurt and his future is in jeopardy. 

The Steelers' brass have invested a lot of draft capital in the offensive line already and haven't been shy about the love for adding to the trenches. The Black and Gold have added an offensive lineman in the first round in three of the last four drafts. Iheanachor is considered a project, but his intangibles, footwork, and work ethic make him an intriguing pick. 

In Bernard's defense, he was a second-round pick. While he isn't the most polished wide receiver prospect, he fits the mold that the Steelers' offense needs. Pittsburgh has two tall receivers already. Bernard is a slot guy; while not undersized, he could play well there. 

He continued to improve throughout his two years at Alabama, where he made the jump from mostly a return man to a full-fledged receiver. Bernard logged 64 catches for 862 yards and seven receiving touchdowns in his senior year. His separation ability is something that Pittsburgh was looking to add in its receiver corps. 

Steelers Did What Was Best For Them In This Draft

Between the two fits of Bernard and Iheanachor, the Steelers went about this draft specifically to add players who could make an impact, but could make bigger roles for themselves in the future. The front office added offensive line depth, an explosive kick returner, and even a fullback/ tight end hybrid in the mid-rounds. Not to mention a quarterback with their first third-round pick in Drew Allar. 

The Steelers brass toed the line between present and future with their draft picks. Time will tell how it will pan out, but this draft didn't go exactly how fans and pundits expected, but it could be for the best. 

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