The floor came out from underneath the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2026 NFL Draft when the Philadelphia Eagles jumped ahead of them through a trade with the Dallas Cowboys and interrupted Pittsburgh’s phone call with former USC wide receiver Makai Lemon to inform him that Philadelphia would be drafting him instead. Lemon even asked Steelers general manager Omar Khan, “Why is Philadelphia calling me?”
The change of plans drastically altered Pittsburgh’s Round 1 plans, and since then, many have criticized Khan’s overall draft performance through four rounds, including a former defensive tackle.
Breiden Fehoko Slams GM Omar Khan’s Draft Performance
Following the Lemon disaster, Pittsburgh ended up drafting Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor, who had an impact score of 85.4 on PFSN’s CFB OL Impact Metric to shore up the O-Line, which should benefit quarterback Aaron Rodgers if he decides to return for 2026. However, PFSN’s Draft team gave the selection a D- grade, one of the worst in the first round.
Khan would redeem himself with his first selection on the second day of the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Alabama WR Germie Bernard, getting a much-improved B- from the Draft team. Bernard doesn’t have the elite athletic upside of some of the 2026 class’ top pass-catchers, but he has the profile of a WR who’ll be picked on Day 2 and go on to be a very solid pro.
The wheels fell back off in the third round, however, with the selection of Penn State QB Drew Allar 76th overall, earning another D-, the selection of Georgia CB Daylen Everette 85th overall getting a C-, and with Khan finally getting his highest grade of the draft with a B+ for the selection of Iowa guard Gennings Dunker 96th overall.
With one selection in the fourth round, the grade dropped again, getting a C- after drafting Iowa WR Kaden Wetjen.
Many have been confused and disappointed by Khan and the Steelers’ draft process, including Braiden Fehoko, who was on the Steelers’ practice squad from 2023 to 2025. He posted on X, “I love Omar Khan, but outside of Germie Bernard, this draft has been an absolute disaster.”
The Lemon fiasco is going to loom over the franchise for a while. While Iheanachor can absolutely become a long-term starter for the Steelers, the selection felt rushed after a player they thought would be headed to Pittsburgh vanished at the last minute.
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The first four rounds haven’t shown much promise based on the initial grades, so Pittsburgh fans will be hoping for better picks throughout the remaining rounds and for the coaching staff to get the most out of every draft pick once training camp comes around.
