Steelers May Not Have Wanted Makai Lemon Enough After Draft Blunder

The Pittsburgh Steelers encountered an interesting situation with a phone call from the now-Philadelphia Eagles receiver Makai Lemon. In his green room, Lemon answered a call from Steelers General Manager Omar Khan. It seemed like Pittsburgh was ready to take Lemon with the 21st pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but the Eagles traded up and jumped one pick ahead of them. In a last-second move, the front office had to quickly pivot and address the team's somewhat controversial offensive tackle situation. Max Iheanachor ended up being the selection, a promising, developmental tackle from Arizona State University. 

Pittsburgh had a clear need for a wide receiver throughout the 2026 offseason. There was consistent speculation that that's where the Steelers would go with their pick. The slot receiver position needed an upgrade, and a young weapon to add among two veterans on the outside seemed like a smart idea. Lemon, who the team hosted on one of its top-30 visits and had a formal meeting with, fell farther in the draft than many thought. He seemed within striking distance of the Steelers for a trade-up, but ultimately, they were jumped. 

Based on the team's needs, the phone call, and the visits, it would have been no shock for him to be picked by Pittsburgh. However, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Brian Batko spoke about how the front office's lack of aggressiveness was a clear sign. Maybe the Steelers weren't as enamored of Lemon as some believed. Batko spoke about this on the North Shore Drive podcast. 

"We don't necessarily know how badly they wanted him. And I guess you could surmise not that badly. They didn't trade up. They were going to take him if he was there, and he was the top guy on their board, but they didn't trade up earlier in the draft. And I guess we may never know if they even had the thought to trade up one spot once the train got set in motion with the whole Eagles, Cowboys, Steelers love triangle," Batko said. 

The Steelers only got jumped by one pick. If they wanted Lemon so badly, they would've more than likely traded up. The decision to stay put there makes it seem as though they had some backup options, or they were comfortable with their board. Pittsburgh got the tackle it desperately needed in Iheanachor and avoided giving up any draft capital to get him. A position of need was still addressed with the pick, and Iheanachor was even endorsed by Steelers legend Hines Ward. Though some believe this could have been a panic move. Only time will tell for the young tackle. 

With 2025 starting left tackle Broderick Jones' injury status becoming a major concern, and his fifth-year option has been declined, Iheanachor has an opportunity to be an important player in 2026 and beyond. The team could ease him into a starting position and have him take over a more permanent role in time. He is still a raw prospect, as he started playing football in junior college. His size and footwork are there, and with proper coaching, the organization hopes he can blossom into a full-time starter.

The Steelers Got The Right Receiver In Round Two

In the second round, the franchise selected a receiver from Alabama in Germie Bernard. He has a similar skill set to Lemon, as both are great route-runners and play a majority of snaps in the slot. However, Bernard's value from pick 47 (the Steelers traded up from 53) could be huge. Another aspect is Bernard's attitude. Lemon's attitude seemed like it could be an issue, while Bernard has received many endorsements for his attitude and work ethic. 

Bernard continued to improve throughout his four years in college. He'll have some great mentors in Pittsburgh and could make a huge impact on the offense early. 

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