Patriots Predicted To Draft Big 12 Tackle To Possibly Replace Morgan Moses originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The first round of the NFL draft is on Thursday, and the Patriots may consider a variety of areas to address with the 31st overall pick.
New England needs to assess whether it wants to add a first-round player who can help it win this season, such as a pass rusher or receiver, or prefers to draft a player who can sit out the season, like an offensive tackle.
CBS Sports’ Carter Bahns published a mock draft on Saturday in which he had the Patriots select Arizona State right tackle Max Iheanachor with the 31st pick.
“Drafting a first-round tackle for the second consecutive year gives the Patriots some Will Campbell insurance and a potential successor to 35-year-old Morgan Moses,” Bahns wrote.
“The former is an obvious question mark after he struggled mightily at times as a rookie, and the latter is likely to be out the door when his contract expires at the end of the 2027 season. It would not be surprising to see the reigning AFC champions take an edge rusher here, either, but we’ll go with Max Iheanachor.”
If the Patriots do add Iheanachor, he likely won’t play this season while sitting behind Moses. However, he could emerge as the starting right tackle by 2027, and New England could end up with two young tackles in Campbell and Iheanachor for the future.
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