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Steelers just missed out on drafting USC WR Makai Lemon.

The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft has concluded. The Pittsburgh Steelers made their pick at No. 21 overall, selecting Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor. But that may have been the Steelers plan B, with the original being USC wide receiver Makai Lemon.

According to Ian Rapoport, the Steelers were on the phone with Lemon but then the Philadelphia Eagles traded with the Dallas Cowboys in an unusual inter-divisional trade that put the Eagles selecting at No. 21, just before Pittsburgh.

“The Dallas Cowboys were on the clock at 20, with everyone knowing they were going defense,” Rapoport said. “Pittsburgh Steelers get on the phone with Makai Lemon, planning to select him next at 21. Except what they didn’t know is the Eagles actually traded up over them. They were trying to get in touch with Lemon but he wasn’t answering because he was already on the phone with the Steelers.

“In the end, the Eagles do the trade, they get Makai Lemon. And the Steelers grab a tackle right after.”

Lemon had been one of the stronger projections to the Steelers over the last several months, especially since the team still had such a need at the position. Seeing the Eagles snatch him right up from under them had to be a major blow, causing Omar Khan and new head coach Mike McCarthy to pivot in a hurry.

“Steelers have to be LIVID this Rap Sheet report got out. It makes them look like they didnt know what was going on. And makes it clear their 1st round pick was a rushed Plan B,” 93.7 The Fan’s Andrew Fillipponi said.

Things Didn’t Go Steelers Way In First Round

Lemon wasn’t the only one of the Steelers projections that went off the board before they picked at No. 21. Several others like quarterback Ty Simpson, offensive linemen Spencer Fano, Olaivavega Ioane and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson were off the board.

“Board isn’t breaking very well for Steelers. Might need to move up here pretty soon,” Steelers insider Mark Kaboly said.

Obviously, Pittsburgh never made the move and stayed with the 21st pick.

When asked if the Steelers considered trading up, general manager Omar Khan said there were opportunities.

“We field calls, we all talk,” Khan said. “There was some opportunities to move up, there were opportunities to move back. We just didn’t want to trade away from this player. We felt good.”

Why Steelers Still Wanted Makai Lemon — and Why Max Iheanachor Still Works

Even after trading for Michael Pittman Jr. in free agency, wide receiver still looked like one of the more obvious needs on Pittsburgh’s roster. Pittman gives the Steelers another proven veteran target, but adding one receiver never fully solves a position that still needed more explosiveness and long-term upside.

DK Metcalf led the Steelers in receiving last season, but his 850 yards were the lowest total of his career. While Metcalf remains a dangerous weapon, the numbers show Pittsburgh still lacked the type of consistent production needed to become a more dangerous passing offense.

That helps explain why Lemon was reportedly the target. The former USC standout finished his college career with 137 receptions for 2,008 yards and 16 touchdowns in 33 games. He averaged 14.7 yards per catch and brought the kind of speed and playmaking ability Pittsburgh could have used immediately.

But once the board shifted, the Steelers still addressed a real need. Iheanachor may not have been the flashy pick, but offensive tackle was a legitimate priority after Isaac Seumalo departed in free agency and Broderick Jones’ health became a bigger concern entering the season.

Pittsburgh has now used first-round picks on offensive linemen three times in four years after selecting Jones in 2023 and Troy Fautanu in 2024.