Minutes before the Pittsburgh Steelers’ announced its first-round draft pick Thursday night, Josh Kelly of Baldwin predicted the team would pick up USC wide receiver Makai Lemon.
Alas, Pittsburgh’s cross-state rival, the Philadelphia Eagles, drafted Lemon the pick before.
“I had a feeling he was going to go,” said Kelly, 28, who attended the draft with his girlfriend, Allison Melvin. “Now we might be cooked.”
In the 21st round of the NFL Draft, the Steelers selected Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor, which drew a sense of surprise from fans but also some optimism.
“I knew who he was, but I didn’t think he was a first-round pick,” said Chris Marchese, 28, of Albuquerque, N.M. “He’s not a bad pick, though. Lemon would have been nice.”
Dennis Simmons, 47, of Harrisburg, and his 12-year-old son, Dennis Jr., were a bit more blunt. They threw some shade on the Eagles for picking Lemon before the Steelers could.
Dennis Jr. also blamed the Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers’ rival selected guard Olaivavega Ioane with the No. 14 pick. Ioane was thought by many to have been a potential pick for the Steelers.
“I like the tackle pick. No matter who’s the quarterback, we’re going to need someone ‘up at the box,’” said Dennis Simmons, who is a Penn Hills native. “We don’t know the status of our current left tackle, so I hope it works out. I’m OK with it.”
Simmons was referring to Broderick Jones, who suffered a reported setback on a neck injury that prematurely ended his 2025 season, leaving his availability for the start of the upcoming season in question.
Penn Hills native Dennis Simmons and his son, Dennis Jr., both now of Harrisburg, share thoughts on the Steelers’ pick. @triblivepic.twitter.com/ivbZQ4f50H
— Kellen Stepler (@KellenStepler) April 24, 2026
Collin McCormick, 23, of the South Side, cast a more positive light.
“I think we came in here looking for a tackle and a receiver,” McCormick said. “… I think the Round One pick we have seals up one of those holes. Now it’s time to add a receiver.
“The tackle’s a great start. I think he’s a great guy, and he came from a great program. I think we’ll have a good future with him in Pittsburgh.”
Atmosphere ‘electric’
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the 2026 NFL Draft set a first day attendance record of about 320,000.
“Renegade” blasted through Acrisure Stadium before the Steelers’ pick was announced on a stage just outside of the stadium.
During the Steelers’ pick, Jerome Bettis joined Goodell on stage with six area boys and girls high school players being recognized with the Jerome Bettis Leadership Award.
The draft officially kicked off at 8 p.m. As it went on, thousands trickled into Acrisure Stadium as the draft theater, positioned along West General Robinson Street and Art Rooney Avenue, was at capacity before the draft started.
Kelly was disappointed that he couldn’t watch at the draft theater — but sitting on Acrisure’s field to view the draft “reinvigorated the experience.”
“I’m a big draft guy,” he said. “I love this. I want to be here and be a part of it. It’s an exciting opportunity for the city to flex its muscles.”
Outside of Acrisure Stadium, Jermaine Matthews predicted the record-setting attendance.
“It’s electric. I’ve never seen this many people in Pittsburgh,” said Matthews, 45, and a lifelong Hill District resident. “This is 10 times a Steelers game. They should bring it here more often.”
Matthews wasn’t surprised Pittsburgh set the attendance record.
“It’s Steelers Nation,” he said, “the best nation the NFL has to offer.”