The Philadelphia Eagles are projected to select offensive tackle Max Iheanachor from Arizona State in the 2026 NFL Draft. Iheanachor is seen as a key prospect to succeed Lane Johnson.
Nov 28, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils offensive lineman Max Iheanachor (58) against the Arizona Wildcats during the 99th Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Blueprint: Howie Rosemanâs Relentless Bet on Traits
There is nothing accidental about how Howie Roseman builds a roster. The philosophy is deliberate, repeatable, and rooted in a single conviction: elite traits win in the trenches. Year after year, premium draft capital is allocated to offensive and defensive line prospects who defy traditional scouting comfort zones. They are not always polished. They are not always âsafe.â But they are almost always rareâdefined by size, explosiveness, and developmental elasticity.
That approach has produced one of the NFLâs most dominant and sustainable offensive lines, anchored by pillars such as Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata. The latter, once a rugby convert with minimal football experience, has evolved into an All-Pro cornerstoneâproof of concept for Philadelphiaâs developmental model.
As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, the Eagles appear positioned to execute that model once again. Max Iheanachor is not just a fit. He is the next iteration.
Managing the Present While Securing the Future
At 36, Lane Johnson remains a master technician and one of the premier right tackles in football. His play has not meaningfully declinedâbut time is undefeated, even for future Hall of Fame talents. This places the Eagles at a critical inflection point: how to sustain a championship window without sacrificing long-term stability. Holding the No. 23 overall selection,
Philadelphia has the rare opportunity to act proactively rather than reactivelyâidentifying and developing Johnsonâs successor before the need becomes urgent.
Rare Air: Iheanachor and the Modern âDancing Bearâ
Max Iheanachorâs profile reads like a prototype engineered for Philadelphiaâs system. This is not merely sizeâit is functional athletic mass. Iheanachor moves with startling fluidity, combining lateral quickness, balance, and recovery speed that translate directly to high-level pass protection.
His testing metrics place him in the same athletic tier as Eagles all-time great Lane Johnson and compare favorably to Jordan Mailata coming out of his developmental pipeline. Within an offense that emphasizes perimeter screens, second-level blocking, and zone versatility, those traits are not ancillaryâthey are foundational.
The Mailata Precedent: Development as Strategy
What differentiates Iheanachor from more conventional first-round tackles is not just what he isâbut how quickly he has become it. A native of Nigeria and former soccer and basketball athlete, Iheanachor did not begin playing American football until 2021. In just four years, he developed into a Second-Team All-Big 12 performer for the Arizona State Sun Devils, culminating in a dominant stretch in which he allowed zero sacks over his final six games of the 2025 season.
The parallels to Jordan Mailata are unmistakable:
Philadelphia has already demonstrated its ability to transform raw tools into elite production. Iheanachor may represent the most complete convergence of upside and trajectory within that framework.
Film Evaluation: Elite Traits, Refined Projection
Strengths
Areas for Development
These are correctable variables. The non-negotiablesâsize, movement efficiency, and explosivenessâare already elite.
The Financial Layer: Roster Construction Through the Cap Lens
Drafting Iheanachor is not solely about successionâit is about sustainability. The Eagles are approaching a significant financial pivot point, with Jalen Hurtsâ cap hit escalating sharply beginning in 2027, Jalen Carter on track for a market-setting extension, and DeVonta Smith set to command top-tier receiver money. Simultaneously, Lane Johnson carries a cap hit exceeding $20 million in the final year of his deal.
A first-round rookie contract offers a stark contrast: approximately $4 million annually over four years, with a fifth-year option providing further control. The deltaâpotentially $16 million or more per seasonâprovides critical flexibility to retain elite talent across the roster while avoiding reactive spending in free agency.
Iheanachor vs. Caleb Lomu: Ceiling vs. Polish
While both Iheanachor and Caleb Lomu profile as elite tackle prospects, their evaluations diverge in a critical area: developmental ceiling. Lomu may offer a higher immediate floor, particularly in pass-protection technique. But Iheanachor presents the archetype NFL teams covet mostâa high-variance, high-reward prospect whose ceiling reshapes position value.
The case for Iheanachor:
The Verdict: A Calculated, Familiar Gamble
Max Iheanachor is not a finished product. For the Eagles, that is not a deterrentâit is the appeal. Prospects with his blend of size, athleticism, and developmental acceleration rarely remain available outside the top tier of the draft. When they do, they represent an opportunity to secure elite outcomes at below-market cost.
For a front office led by Howie Roseman, this is a well-established betâone that has repeatedly paid dividends. If the objective is sustained dominance in the trenches while navigating an increasingly complex salary cap landscape, the conclusion is straightforward: draft the successor before the need becomes urgent.
Max Iheanachor is not merely a prospect. He is infrastructure. He is continuity. He is the plan.
Now itâs YOUR TURN to vote for who you think should be selected with this pick.
Max Iheanachor is an offensive tackle from Arizona State, projected to be a crucial addition for the Eagles as they look to fill the role of veteran Lane Johnson.
The Philadelphia Eagles are likely to draft an offensive tackle in 2026, specifically targeting Max Iheanachor.
Max Iheanachor is viewed as a potential heir to Lane Johnson's position, indicating he possesses similar traits and skills that the Eagles value.
The Eagles' draft strategy for 2026 focuses on selecting players with specific traits, with Max Iheanachor being a prime example of this approach.
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