One year ago, the New England Patriots used their first-round selection in the NFL Draft to pick an offensive tackle. Fast forward 12 months, and we might find ourselves in the same situation yet again.
What gives? While Will Campbell was brought aboard fourth overall last season to become the team’s left tackle of the future, a goal we still very much believe he is capable of reaching, the right side’s outlook remains unclear. Yes, grizzled veteran Morgan Moses will hold down the fort again in 2026,
but at the age of 35 he is far closer to the end of his career.
And so, the 31st pick in this year’s draft might just be spent on another OT. That’s where Max Iheanachor comes in.
Hard facts
Name: Max Iheanachor
Position: Offensive tackle
School: Arizona State (RS Sr.)
Opening day age: 22 (10/19/2003)
Measurements: 6’5 7/8”, 321 lbs, 33 7/8” arm length, 9” hand size, 4.91s 40-yard dash, 30 1/2” vertical jump, 9’7” broad jump, 25 bench press reps, 9.86 Relative Athletic Score
Experience
Colleges: East Los Angeles CC (2021–2022), Arizona State (2023-25)
Career statistics (Arizona State): 32 games (31 starts) | 2,107 offensive snaps, 33 special teams snaps | 50 quarterback pressures surrendered (3 sacks, 8 hits, 39 hurries) | 16 penalties (incl. 4 declined/offset)
Accolades: Second-team All-Big 12 (2025)
Growing up as a soccer player in Nigeria, Iheanachor came to the United States with his family when he was 13 years old. Arriving to California, Iheanachor picked up basketball and did not start playing football until after graduating high school in 2021.
Iheanachor originally enrolled at East Los Angeles College as a tight end before spending the majority of his first season adding weight and transitioning to the offensive line. He then started at both tackle spots as a redshirt freshman and became the No. 30 juco recruit nationally as a three-star tackle.
Following the 2022 season, Iheanachor committed to Arizona State. After starting five games his first season he earned the full-time starting role in 2024. Iheanachor went on to start 26 consecutive games over his final two years for the Sun Devils and earned Second Team All-Big 12 this past season. He entered the NFL Draft and accepted his invitation to the Senior Bowl where he had a standout week.
Draft profile
Projected round: 1-2 | Consensus big board: No. 36 | Patriots meeting: 30 visit + Pro Day
Strengths: Iheanachor is a well built tackle at 6-foot-5, 321 pounds with 33.8-inch arms that generates power to move defenders in the run game. He is also an excellent athlete posting elite speed and explosive grades at the NFL Combine and improved his hand usage throughout last season which help him in pass protection. Iheanachor did not allow a sack all of last season and had a standout performance against top projected pick David Bailey and an elite Texas Tech defense.
Weaknesses: While Iheanachor made strides in his game, he still is relatively raw due to his inexperience playing the sport. He showed improved awareness but was occasionally fooled against line games (Houston matchup) and had more success with power run blocks than finding assignments on the move — although he has the athletic ability to succeed with more playing time. Iheanachor also had some issues with power as he can leave his chest exposed allowing him to get bull rushed.
Iheanachor did not miss a single game over his last two seasons at Arizona State, but was sidelined at times in 2023 due to a leg injury and concussion and underwent shoulder surgery following the 2024 season to repair his labrum.
Patriots preview
What would be his role? Iheanachor could likely start his rookie year but may be best served starting his NFL career on the sideline as he continues to learn the game and develop. That would be no issue in New England as Morgan Moses continues to play at a high-level at right tackle. With the Patriots planning to limit the 35-year old’s workload throughout the offseason, Iheanachor would still see plenty of practice reps with the top offensive line and have a game day role as a sixth offensive lineman/jumbo tight end.
Does he have positional versatility? While Iheanachor started his juco career playing both left and right tackle, he strictly played right tackle at Arizona State and only repped on that side at the Senior Bowl. His athletic profile could allow him to switch over, but allowing him to remain on the right side may be the best way to continue his development early in his career.
What is his growth potential? For someone who did not start playing football until 2021, Iheanachor has already shown plenty of promise and has ideal size plus athletic profile at the position. That combination of tools leaves plenty of untapped potential as he continues to develop.
Why the Patriots? New England said tackle is a need this offseason as they look for a successor to Morgan Moses. In this tackle draft class, that successor would likely needed to be selected in the first-round. That leaves Iheanachor as a prime target with plenty of potential. The team also has shown interest in Iheanachor hosting him on a 30 visit following the Combine before Mike Vrabel attended his Pro Day and ran through an on-field workout with the tackle.
Why not the Patriots? With Morgan Moses still on the roster, picking a tackle 31st overall likely means New England’s top draft pick would not see the field in year one, barring injury. The Patriots might be at a point where they need to draft a projected day one contributor with their first pick, while they might not even have a chance to select Iheanachor as a team could take a chance on his upside earlier in the first-round.
One-sentence verdict: Iheanachor has tons of untapped potential as a relatively new football player and would be a long-term successor at right tackle.
For more information about Max Iheanachor and the rest of this year’s class of prospects, please take a look at Adam’s 2026 NFL Draft Guide.
Also, what do you think about Iheanachor as a potential Patriots target? Do you like him? Where would you pick him? Please head down to the comment section to share your thoughts.
