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Projected First Round Talent Predicted To Fall To Patriots In Round Two Of NFL Draft originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New England Patriots could be looking to select an offensive lineman early in the NFL Draft, and Max Iheanachor could be a great fit.
Iheanachor is an athletic offensive tackle from Arizona State. He is a right tackle, which is not a position the Patriots need right now. However, Morgan Moses is nearing the end of his career, and Iheanachor could be a great replacement. Many outlets project him to be a first-round pick, but ESPN's Matt Miller predicted he would fall to the Patriots in the second round.
"Right tackle Morgan Moses is still solid at 35 years old, but drafting a replacement if one falls to this pick would be smart," Miller wrote on Monday. "Iheanachor is 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds with a 4.91 40 and the ability to jump in as soon as this season if needed."
Mike Vrabel and the Patriots got a good look at Iheanachor during his pro day. In fact, Mike Vrabel got some hands-on work with the athletic offensive tackle. Iheanachor had a 90 athletic score at the NFL Combine, ranking fifth among offensive tackles. He is not the perfect prospect and needs some work, which is why sitting behind Moses for a year could help.
"He has good length and excellent lean mass," NFL analyst Lance Zierlein wrote of Iheanachor. "His hands and footwork need refinement, but his range and play strength should translate to any run scheme. There is work to do with pass-protection technique, but strong performances against Texas Tech’s rush duo last season and at the Senior Bowl suggest Iheanachor might be more game-ready than I previously anticipated. In a year light on high-end tackles, Iheanachor’s measurables, athleticism and upside could push him up the board."
He is one of the best tackles in this draft class, and getting him in round two would be a steal. Miller has seven offensive tackles getting drafted before Iheanachor, which is very different from other draft analysts.
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