New England Patriots
“I may see the Patriots wanting to search out somebody to groom as Morgan Moses’ alternative.”
The Patriots are anticipated to run it again in 2026 with the identical beginning tackles as final season in Will Campbell and Morgan Moses.
However, New England is working with loads of threat at probably the most crucial segments of its roster.
Regardless of Campbell’s lofty draft pedigree (fourth general decide in 2025) and upside, he labored down the stretch final season — culminating with a porous efficiency towards the Seahawks in Tremendous Bowl LX.
Moses supplied veteran management and stability, each on the gridiron and within the locker room, for New England in 2025. However, he additionally turned 35 years outdated earlier this month.
The Patriots may need bolstered their roster in free company final week, however they nonetheless have a number of areas to deal with this offseason, particularly with regards to depth at offensive deal with.
As such, NFL.com draft knowledgeable Eric Edholm has New England utilizing the thirty first general decide within the 2026 NFL Draft to pick out an intriguing deal with prospect with loads of room to develop.
At No. 31, Edholm has the Patriots selecting Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor.
“Perhaps this decide finally ends up as a part of a commerce bundle for A.J. Brown, but when not, I may see the Patriots wanting to search out somebody to groom as Morgan Moses’ alternative,” Edholm wrote. “Iheanachor is a captivating specimen whose greatest ball is forward of him.
Even when Moses continues to play at a excessive degree in 2026, it’d be a prudent transfer for New England to discover a long-term alternative for the veteran offensive lineman.
A participant with Iheanachor’s instruments and upside would seemingly be a really perfect pickup for New England, because the Patriots have the posh of giving him ample time to develop earlier than rolling him out as a full-time starter.
Iheanachor was a late bloomer, as he moved to the U.S. from Nigeria when he was 13 years outdated and didn’t play soccer in any respect throughout highschool. However after first selecting up the sport whereas at East Los Angeles Group Faculty, Iheanachor finally flourished as a blue-chip expertise.
The 6-foot-6, 321-pound deal with was a full-time starter at deal with in every of the final two seasons with the Solar Devils — incomes Second Crew All-Massive 12 honors in 2025.
“His tape isn’t good, however it’s filled with clues hinting he may find yourself being among the finest offensive linemen on this yr’s draft class,” NFL draft expert Daniel Jeremiah wrote of Iheanachor. “In go professional, he jumps out of his stance and stays sq.. He’s usually late to punch, exposing his chest, however he nonetheless has the energy to soak up and anchor.
“He’s very athletic to redirect and smother counter strikes. Within the run recreation, he has knock-back energy. He strikes effectively on pulls and second-level blocks. It’d take some time, however Iheanachor has the uncooked instruments to develop right into a high-level starter. He confirmed a whole lot of promise on the Senior Bowl.”
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