Welcome to the Steelers Max Iheanachor

They showed him at the Senior Bowl going head to head with Bailey, the best pass rusher in the draft. Even with his limited experience in organized football, he was able to stone some of the best pass rushers in the country. He keeps improving greatly every year. Players that show great improvement at that age generally continue to improve going forward. They are in no way a finished product, but he already has the skills to hang with the uber talented in this draft.

I want to see him grow and improve with professional coaching. He has the tools and athleticism to be great. I know he isn't the polished, technical player everyone hopes for, but I like this pick better than the Broderick Jones pick. I like this kid's trajectory and athleticism. I can't wait to see the player he turns into.

 

The last person to handle Vrabel like that was Dianna Russini.

 

This pick really feels like the kind of prospect the NFL values far more than internet draft experts.

I’m willing to bet over the next few days lots of “reports” come out that teams loved the potential.

Like Bill Parcells said; there’s only so many people on the planet at any one time that size that can move like that.

 

After the initial disappointment I sure hopes he quickly turns into a solid starter. At any rate he's a Steeler now so go Max!

 

Every coach thinks they can coach a guy up…unfortunately.

 

Ur taking me literally w depth comment. We need OL help and that's what we drafted

 

That’s the thing. Everyone is moaning that dude hasn’t played enough ball.

Think about that. He’s at the senior bowl stonewalling his best peers while being a bit of a technical mess.

Cleans up his technique and his ceiling is what? Gotta figure it’s pretty high.

Steelers want to get out of the muddle in the middle, screw high floor prospects. Swing for the fences with all high ceiling guys.

 

I don't think you draft an OT in round 1 for a depth piece. Obviously they think Iheanachor will be their starting LT in 2026. Basically, they've given up on Broderick.

 

If they can’t; they need to get fired.

personally I think most of the draft gurus out there are way too ready to sing guys for being raw or not pro ready. They should need coaching. They should need to get better.

 

Really? Methinks you just threw out one of the few high drafted tackles who was good with zero basis for suggesting he was raw like this kid. But Im old, I was there, dude was anything but raw.

2011 NFL Draft Prospect Scouting Report:
Marcus Gilbert, OT, Florida
Gilbert was one of the most experienced players in college football as a senior. He redshirted for Florida in 2006, played in all 13 games as a freshman in 2007, saw the field in 13 more games as a sophomore, then started all of the Gators' 27 campaigns over his final two years in Gainesville. Florida led the SEC with 3,105 rushing yards in 2009 and last year the offensive line allowed just one sack or fewer in seven of the team's contests.
Experience is not the only thing Gilbert brings to the table, as he has proven to be extremely versatile. He has bounced around between multiple tackle and guard positions, and he will likely start out as a right tackle in the NFL. Clearly, though, he will be able to do whatever a team at the next level asks of him. Gilbert was one of the Gators' most consistent linemen and he is fundamentally sound in addition to being a good athlete.

Conclusion?
Gilbert was the most experienced, most fundamentally sound lineman on the best line in the country. That HARDLY reads "raw". Your assertion could not be more wrong my friend.

 

Ur also taking me literally on my depth comment, we need OL help so that's what we drafted, I'm good with that

 

Fair enough.

 

but a project player in the 1st?

 

I like the pick!

 

Sure. If in 2 seasons he’s a big time starting tackle; what’s the issue?

 

The Post Gazette guys are having a melt down….LOL!

 

Should've drafted EDGE Malachi Lawrence.

Max is an excellent pick too. Im happy.

 

Your comment actually made me.feel better about the pick. Thank you.

 

Don't watch much college ball so I don't have any insight, but anytime I've listened to Matt Williamson on DK sports the last month or so he's been all over this guy. He's been calling for him in the first round

 

I think Cowher is spot on; he said they will move Fautanu to the left side and Max to the right.

 

Okay in my effort to warm up to this pick, another African who was big athletic and new ro the game...

Christian Okoye did not play American football until age 23, having originally focused on track and field in Nigeria.

 

Exactly! Obviously, I hope this guy is awesome. But,,they had 12 picks and some leverage in round 1. They had so many options and I believe they lived in their fears with this pick. Saban said having a lot of picks means you can control a little of the draft, and having less means the draft can control you. They let the draft control them. They drafted round one like sheep. I have a hard time believing they had this guy as the favorite on their board at 21. I doubt ANY team had Max rated at 21 on their big board.

 

There are no guarantees in football, but this is a really talented kid that hasn't played a ton of football and came from a background where football is a fringe sport that he never played. He played soccer and basketball. A young man that size playing soccer screams great feet, and basketball background shows athleticism and establishing position. For someone like Max to already play the game at such a high level with only a few years of playing the game tells you a ton about him and what he is capable of.

I don't have a crystal ball, but he has elite traits that I hope can be brought to the surface and reach his peak performance.

Way too many people are just ready to trash an entire draft after one pick, and many fans simply don't understand how talented some of these players are because they aren't the big names that everyone in the media is talking about every single day. This kid has a chance to be a great player. I have no idea if he will get there, but he has all the physical tools you can ask for, and his trajectory has been pointing way up.

 

Nothing if the Steelers are rebuilding, which they've desperately needed for years. Last I checked though, the clueless owner is in some "win now" delusion, which this pick very likely won't help, especially if they're trying to keep a 43 year old statue alive. They could've just as easily grabbed a S or WR, or moved up for a G or OT, who would've had a much better chance to be good this year. It's nothing against the kid, who has all the physical tools, but the plan doesn't make sense.