Steelers 1st-Round Draft Pick: Experts Weigh In On Him

PITTSBURGH, PA — With their first pick in the NFL Draft in the largest event ever held in the city, the Steelers chose a little-known Arizona State offensive lineman.

Here's what football writers across the country had to say about Max Ihenachor:

Brooke Pryor, ESPN:

"With experience at left and right tackle, Iheanachor offers the Steelers coveted position flexibility... In picking Iheanachor, the Steelers spurned adding a top-tier wide receiver and are instead betting on their ability to develop and mold one of the more raw prospects and help him hit a high ceiling."

Mike Renner, CBS Sports: Grade: B+

"This is definitely not a win-now move, but I like it. Iheanachor has the most intriguing developmental tools in the draft class, with truly everything you could want to play the tackle position in the NFL. And the kicker: he only started playing football five years ago. For the Steelers, they won't necessarily need him to start Year 1 with Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu already set at tackle."

Matt Verdermane, Sports Illustrated:

"Iheanachor didn’t play football in high school—he picked it up in junior college—and there’s still rawness to his game. But at 6' 6" and 321, he’s physically gifted and a well-above-average athlete with a high ceiling."

Cody Williams, Fansided:

"My main concern when it comes to Max Iheanachor in Pittsburgh is it feels like they drafted another iteration of Broderick Jones, which hasn't panned out for them thus far. While he's unbelievably talented and fast-developing, he's still so raw when it comes to playing football. Just one offseason of coaching doesn't seem like enough to get him fully ready, and the Steelers may well need someone on the field who is."