As we continue our rookie offensive line grading series, we are now focusing on the AFC North!
This division always makes moves intending to match up with each other, so it makes sense that the most starting rookie linemen would belong here.
So far, all four rookies look like they are hits, playing well right away in their first year, but also showing promise for the future.
The Baltimore Ravens might have taken the most universally liked lineman in the 2026 class, and he's still finding ways to surprise us. The Cleveland Browns made the first offensive line selection last April, and he's playing well, but it's their mid-round pick that is turning into one of the division's biggest surprises.
And the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to develop their raw but very intriguing find. With all four rookies making an impact, which AFC North team has the most to be excited about?
Pittsburgh's Max Iheanachor shines, but also has some rough moments
Grade: B-
The Pittsburgh Steelers took Max Iheanachor with the 21st pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Iheanachor was a raw prospect who played very little football before attending Arizona State, but he has developed quickly thanks to his size and athleticism.
Iheanachor was well-regarded for his natural ability and feel in pass protection as a prospect, and you can still see that in the pros. He has very smooth feet, good balance, and is a natural hand fighter who can keep defenders off his body.
Iheanachor now has five starts under his belt and he's already showing improvements in the run game.
As a prospect and early on with the Steelers, Iheanachor was more of a turn-and-seal blocker in the run game. Despite his size and athleticism, he didn't generate much push or do a lot of blocking in space. But that has slowly changed in the last couple of weeks.
By Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints, Iheanachor was climbing to the second level to block linebackers, getting out in space to block defensive backs, and generating real push at the line of scrimmage in the run game.
There were some low moments for Iheanachor in the last two weeks, however, as he allowed three sacks in the last two games. Fortunately, none of the sacks suggest a core issue in Iheanachor's game. They were all a little different, and the result of losing individual matchups rather than a consistent weakness.
Final verdict: Iheanachor is showing real promise early in his career, and there's already tangible improvement in his game. But a few key low points keep him from earning a higher grade at this point in the season.
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