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What round should the Detroit Lions target an OT in the draft? With the release of Taylor Decker, the 1st round seems like the obvious choice. However, you never know how the picks are going to fall which means a 2nd-round OT is a possibility.
Max Iheanachor is projected to go around Round 2 and could be an option for the Lions. He does have some significant medical concerns in his past though.
Here is the excerpt of my medical report on Iheanachor:
(Ages in parentheses are at start of 2026 season and are factored into the concern level. Injury info and ages based on available public information and are unverified - subject to update. Games played data courtesy of sports-reference.com.)
Projected round 2
Concern level 5/10 (pending age)
Iheanachor moved from Nigeria at age 13. He has a shoulder surgery history, missed about half a season in 2023 with multiple injuries, and is suspected to be of older age. All these issues will need further investigation by medical.
The potential age uncertainty is reminiscent of former Lions 1st-rounder Ziggy Ansah, who sharply declined after his 5th-year in the NFL. The age risk becomes more palatable after the 1st round.
If Iheanachor is available in the 2nd round (and the Lions didn’t already grab an OT in the 1st), the moderate health concern may be worth it to land a starting caliber OT.
For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Jimmy on X, @JimmyLiaoMD
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: NFL Draft Medical Preview: Max Iheanachor, OT Arizona State
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Max Iheanachor is projected to go around Round 2 and could be an option for the Lions. He does have some significant medical concerns in his past though.
Here is the excerpt of my medical report on Iheanachor:
(Ages in parentheses are at start of 2026 season and are factored into the concern level. Injury info and ages based on available public information and are unverified - subject to update. Games played data courtesy of sports-reference.com.)
Max Iheanachor, OT (age unknown, 24-25?) - Arizona State
Projected round 2
Concern level 5/10 (pending age)
- 2025: 12/13 games. Opted out of bowl.
- 2024: 14/14 games. Shoulder labrum surgery after season.
- 2023: 6/12 games. Left leg injury, missed 3 games. Separate unspecified injury, missed 2 games.
- 2021-22: Played at JUCO
Iheanachor moved from Nigeria at age 13. He has a shoulder surgery history, missed about half a season in 2023 with multiple injuries, and is suspected to be of older age. All these issues will need further investigation by medical.
The potential age uncertainty is reminiscent of former Lions 1st-rounder Ziggy Ansah, who sharply declined after his 5th-year in the NFL. The age risk becomes more palatable after the 1st round.
If Iheanachor is available in the 2nd round (and the Lions didn’t already grab an OT in the 1st), the moderate health concern may be worth it to land a starting caliber OT.
For all the latest NFL draft medical reports, visit this page at JimmyLiaoMD.com.
For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Jimmy on X, @JimmyLiaoMD
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: NFL Draft Medical Preview: Max Iheanachor, OT Arizona State
Continue reading...
