The Pittsburgh Steelers raised eyebrows across the league when they used their 2026 first-round pick on offensive tackle Max Iheanachor. While some fans have warmed up to the selection, a Steelers legend isn't ready to jump on the bandwagon just yet.

Casey Hampton, the iconic nose tackle who anchored Pittsburgh's dominant defenses during the 2000s, recently shared his doubts on the Deebo & Joe Podcast. Hampton suggested that Iheanachor, taken at No. 21 overall, is more of a "project" than a plug-and-play starter—a luxury he feels the Steelers can't afford in the first round.

"With the first-round pick, and I don't watch film, but with football only being played the last five years, I know that's a project," Hampton said. "Just with me, I like with my first-round pick, I want that guy to be a guy. [Iheanachor] can definitely develop to be a guy, he has all the intangibles, but I think there's gonna be some work to see how he develops and see how he's gonna be."

It's worth noting that Iheanachor's football journey is anything but traditional. He didn't strap on a helmet until 2021, starting his career at East Los Angeles College—a public community college. From there, he transferred to Arizona State in 2023 and made an immediate impact, appearing in 32 games with 31 starts over his final three collegiate seasons.

What makes Iheanachor intriguing is his rare combination of quickness and raw strength—tools that could eventually make him one of the top offensive tackles in his draft class. But as Hampton pointed out, potential doesn't always translate to production. The Steelers' coaching staff will be crucial in helping him turn that promise into reality on the field.

For now, Pittsburgh fans will be watching closely as Iheanachor develops, hoping that this first-round gamble pays off—and that the next generation of Steelers gear will soon be worn by a player worthy of the black and gold legacy.