Steelers' Mike McCarthy On Makai Lemon NFL Draft Situation: 'I Feel Great About The Way It Ended Up' originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Pittsburgh Steelers chose Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor with the 21st overall pick during the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft Thursday night, but they ended up taking a unique path to the selection.
The Steelers initially had their eyes on USC wide receiver Makai Lemon and general manager Omar Khan was even on the phone with the prospect as Pittsburgh waited its turn to pick.
That's when the Philadelphia Eagles swooped in and selected Lemon with the 20th pick (via trade with the Dallas Cowboys).
Pittsburgh head coach Mike McCarthy discussed the situation during a Friday appearance on the "Rich Eisen Show."
"Mike McCarthy joins the @RichEisenShow to talk through the Steelers' No. 21 pick Max Iheanachor," the NFL on ESPN account posted on X.
Mike McCarthy joins the @RichEisenShow to talk through the Steelers' No. 21 pick Max Iheanachor π pic.twitter.com/x5ma6nBGXC
"When you get down to these picks, particularly when you're down in the 20s, you usually have a pod of players, which was our case. Lemon was definitely part of that, he's a fine player," McCarthy said. "I think the good lord always works his magic, and Max is with us. I feel great about the way it ended up. Lemon will do great over there in Philadelphia, but we're right where we need to be for good reason."
Round two of the NFL Draft begins at 7 p.m. ET, with the Steelers on the clock with the No. 53 pick.
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