Max Iheanachor — 2026 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 1.0

It's plausible that Iheanachor is also gone way before this selection, as he has major upside due to only five years of football experience. (He did not play in high school.) He showed steady annual improvement at Arizona State and has excellent traits, including an 83¼-inch wingspan. Atlanta's starting tackles are rock solid, but LT Jake Matthews is 34 and RT Kaleb McGary is 31.

The 49ers need a big infusion of young talent along the offensive line and can do that here with Iheanachor. He is a redshirt senior, but started playing football only a few years ago in JUCO. Never bet against someone who started playing football in JUCO and didn't quit immediately.

The obvious issue for the AFC champs during the playoffs was protecting QB Drake Maye, who was sacked 21 times in four postseason games, including six times by Seattle in Super Bowl 60. RT Morgan Moses is under contract for two more years but just turned 35. Iheanachor isn't a finished product but is a wondrous athlete — one who might not even need a full season to displace Moses opposite LT Will Campbell.

Iheanachor had 31 starts at Arizona State, but he didn't play much football before that, picking up the sport late. He'll need time to reach his potential in the NFL. But what better way to develop than learning behind an elite right tackle in Lane Johnson? Iheanachor plays with quick feet -- he ran a 4.91-second 40-yard dash at 6-6 and 321 pounds -- and great length. He could provide swing tackle depth in Year 1 before eventually taking over for Johnson on the right side in the future.

Maybe the Texans would move up to get Lomu, but I think Iheanachor is talented enough to be a first-round pick. He also seems to be a riser in this draft process, so maybe he'll really solidify himself as a first-round pick soon, but it's clear that the Texans need some offensive help.