Patriots Connected To Potential Morgan Moses Replacement In NFL Draft
New England could make a surprising pick at 31st overall.
Patriots Connected To Potential Morgan Moses Replacement In NFL Draft originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The New England Patriots have the 31st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and are linked to taking an edge rusher.
Edge rusher remains one of the biggest needs for the Patriots, but insider Chad Graff of The Athletic wonders if the team could pivot elsewhere. And, the insider linked the team to a potential Morgan Moses replacement in offensive tackle Max Iheanachor from Arizona State. “There’s a chance none of the top offensive tackles fall to the 31st pick, but if one does, New England might face a tough dilemma,” Graff wrote in an article published on Thursday.
“Do they draft a tackle now to develop behind Morgan Moses, even though it might not help much this season? Or do they look at a more pressing need like edge rusher? ” Iheanachor spent the last three seasons at Arizona State and was second-team All-Big 12 last season.
The 6-foot-6 tackle is considered a work in progress, so he could sit for a year and learn from Moses before competing for a starting job in 2027. Iheanachor, meanwhile, is known for his size and quickness, which are elite, as his footwork is a key reason for his success as a pass blocker. The 321-pound tackle is predicted to be a late first-round pick, so if he’s available at 31st overall, the Patriots could take a chance on him and have him learn from Moses for a season.