The Steelers are heading into Week 1 with a different look up front, and the newest face on the right side is rookie Max Iheanachor.
Pittsburgh’s offensive line has been shuffled for the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons. Troy Fautanu and Mason McCormick have slid from the right side over to the left, with Fautanu now at left tackle and McCormick at left guard. That leaves Iheanachor, the Steelers’ first-round pick in this year’s draft, at right tackle.
His arrival in Pittsburgh came with a little drama attached. The Steelers were prepared to take USC wide receiver Makai Lemon before the Philadelphia Eagles jumped ahead of them and grabbed him, forcing Pittsburgh to pivot to Iheanachor.
Even with that twist, one Steelers voice believes the team landed the right player. Arizona State wide receivers coach and Steelers legend Hines Ward had high praise for Iheanachor on The Yinziders.
“Max is just a blue collar guy,“ Ward said on The Yinziders. ”He hasn’t played football for a very long time, but you see the talent.
You see the skill set. A lot of Steeler fans may not know who Max is, but I saw it every day.
The kid just put his head down and just grind. He has that work ethic in him.“
There is still some rawness to Iheanachor’s game, but his size and power helped make him such an appealing prospect. If offensive line coach James Campen can bring that along, Pittsburgh may have its right tackle in place for a long time.
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