Welcome back to another year of the SB Nation Community Mock Draft!
NFL mock draft 2026: New England Patriots select Max Iheanachor, OT, ASU
The New England Patriots grab a new edge blocker by selecting ASU’s Max Iheanachor in SB Nation’s
As we do every draft season, all 32 NFL sites at SB Nation come together to fill out an entire first-round mock draft leading up to the actual event that takes place from April 23-25. One by one, our site managers will make their picks and provide their reasoning behind the selection. From there, I will provide further analysis on top of giving a final opinion on the pick!
Without further ado, let’s head down the final stretch!
With the 31stoverall pick in the 2026 SB Nation Community Mock Draft, Pats Pulpit’s Matt St. Jean and the New England Patriots select Max Iheanachor, offensive tackle, Arizona State!
St. Jean’s analysis:
SB Nation NFL Mock Draft: With the 31st pick the New England Patriots select...
Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
New England has been tied to Iheanachor frequently this draft cycle, most notably when Mike Vrabel got some hands-on time with the tackle prospect at his Pro Day.
While Will Campbell is in position to lock down the left tackle spot, the future across from him is uncertain. Morgan Moses did well at right tackle last year, but at 35 years old, he is hardly a long term solution. Iheanachor gives the Patriots someone who can develop behind Moses this season and step into a starting role in 2027 to give Drake Maye a pair of franchise tackles to protect him.
The Nigerian-born Iheanachor is relatively new to football, and it shows at times in his game, especially in pass protection. However, he has rare athletic traits with a 9.86 Relative Athletic Score, 96th percentile 40-yard dash, and 95th percentile broad jump. A redshirt year to improve technique and adjust to the NFL level should set him up for success with potential to be a Pro Bowl right tackle and a dominant run blocker.
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My analysis: Iheanachor is a prospect on the raw side but it’s his high upside and potential he showed in flashes during the 2025 season that has teams willing to take him in the first round, and that includes one of his best games that came against Texas Tech and their vaunted pass rush duo.
With surprising strength and a basketball background, Iheanachor has the makeup to be an all-around blocker with scheme-independence at the next level. The right coaching staff will unlock his best football and something tells me that Mike Vrabel’s team is a good place to to get that done.
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