The 2026 NFL Draft is just over three weeks away, and it's still unclear who the Patriots might take with their first-round pick. While that's expected given where they're set to pick, at No. 31, it wasn't expected that we would have no real indication of what position they'll likely target first.
There has been a lot of speculation suggesting it would likely be a pass rusher, but based on the latest moves by Mike Vrabel, literally and figuratively, it looks like they might be leaning toward an offensive lineman, specifically Arizona State's Max Iheanachor.
The head coach was present for the tackle's Pro Day last week, and even got hands-on with Iheanachor during their meeting. It was the second time the Patriots met with the prospect, fueling rumors that he will be their first-round pick.
Arizona State OT Max Iheanachor says he had a 30 visit with the #Patriots after the NFL Combine.
— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) March 27, 2026
“It’s really a big blessing for me to be able to learn from [Mike Vrabel], and him being hands-on.”
“I’m very familiar with their coaching staff and everybody.”
(🎥 @BDenny29) pic.twitter.com/VTD0J6OocJ
The problem is, despite it looking simple to find the perfect Morgan Moses successor, it looks like the Patriots will have to trade up to get it done.
There's good reason to believe the Patriots will have to trade up for Max Iheanachor
Based on the most recent intel on the upcoming draft class, there is an expectation that a handful of offensive linemen will be taken in the first round, as the dropoff between first-round talent and the next batch is significant.
That means the Patriots will have to be one of those teams to take a tackle early, and if they really have their eyes set on Iheanachor, they might need to trade up to ensure another needy team doesn't snatch him first.
It's a point that even 98.5 The Sports Hub's Alex Barth made last week, and it might need to be something the team strongly considers if they really like Iheanachor, as Vrabel appeared to at his Pro Day. And considering they didn't add a right tackle into the mix during free agency, it might be their wisest choice.
He's considered a top prospect at the position, and although the Patriots would likely continue with Moses at right tackle in 2026, the rookie would have a great mentor and a full season to prepare as the starter in 2027, putting him in the best possible position to take over the role.
Trading up for him makes a lot of sense in many ways, and based on the teams picking just a few spots ahead of them, Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf should strongly consider trading some of their extra mid-round selections to get ahead of them and ensure Iheanachor stays on the board for them to choose.
Otherwise, they might have to look to free agency for the right person, or even a later prospect that would need more time to transition to the NFL.