Lemon had been a top projection for Pittsburgh, but an unusual sequence saw the Eagles move ahead of the Steelers and draft Lemon at No. 21 after the Cowboys were on the clock at 20 and Pittsburgh was trying to reach him. The shift forced the Steelers to pivot to a different position right at the top of the first round.
Several other Steelers targets came off the board before Pittsburgh’s pick, including quarterback Ty Simpson and offensive linemen Spencer Fano and Olaivavega Ioane, along with wideout Jordyn Tyson, underscoring a challenging board for the team. Still, Pittsburgh did not opt to move up and stayed at No. 21 to address another area of need.
GM Omar Khan indicated there were opportunities to trade up or back, but the decision was made not to move away from the player they valued at the pick. The Steelers weighed the options but concluded the plan to secure a premium offensive tackle outweighed potential moves elsewhere.
Even with Lemon on the radar, Pittsburgh’s decision to add a tackle reflected a broader team strategy. The addition of Michael Pittman Jr. in free agency helped the receiving corps, but Pittsburgh remains seeking explosive playmakers, while the tackle spot also demanded attention after Isaac Seumalo’s departure and concerns around Broderick Jones’ health.
Iheanachor brings durability and experience, having played 32 college games at Arizona State with more than 2,100 snaps and just three sacks allowed in his career. His selection continues Pittsburgh’s recent emphasis on rebuilding the offensive line, a trend that has seen first-round picks on OL in three of the last four drafts. The Steelers now turn to No. 53 overall in the second round.
The Steelers’ draft march continues as they aim to strengthen the trenches and add long-term upside at key positions.
