The NFL draft has come and gone this year, and now, it’s time for rookies to start preparing for their first taste of NFL action. The Pittsburgh Steelers recently hosted their rookie minicamp, allowing them to get a look at their new pieces. That includes first-round pick Max Iheanachor. While Troy Fautanu looks like he’s panning out well, the Steelers’ other offensive tackle spot is in question. Iheanachor will compete for that job, but it won’t be handed to him. He still needs to work on some things, as he explained recently.
“Really everything,” Iheanachor said via the team’s YouTube channel. “More hand placement, trying to just get that figured out. But really, everything, steps, pass pro, run block.”
While Iheanachor started 31 games in college, he’s still relatively new to the game of football. He only began playing five years ago. Although that may sound concerning, Iheanachor has developed quickly, transitioning well from junior college to Arizona State. Perhaps he’ll have similar success jumping to the NFL level.
The Steelers have good teachers in place to help develop him. This offseason, they hired proven veteran James Campen to coach their offensive line. He spent over a decade in that same role with the Green Bay Packers, developing several Pro Bowl linemen.
The Steelers also hired Jahri Evans as their assistant offensive line coach. Evans played in the NFL from 2006-2017, making six Pro Bowls and earning four First-team All-Pro selections and one Second-team All-Pro nod. Although his coaching career only started a few years ago, Evans still has a lot of experience to draw on to help players.
The Steelers took a swing on a raw, inexperienced first-round offensive tackle a few years ago in Broderick Jones, and that hasn’t panned out too well yet. However, Iheanachor has a chance to turn out better. He might need some time to work out some of the kinks in his game, but his mixture of size and athleticism gives him plenty of potential.
If the Steelers can mold him correctly, Iheanachor could be a valuable piece up front for years to come. They have several other promising young linemen, and Iheanachor could help solidify that group.
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