Max Iheanachor went to Mobile, Alabama, to participate in the Senior Bowl with all eyes on him. Many evaluators wanted to see for themselves whether the former Nigerian basketball player, who didn't play football until much later in life, could survive in the trenches of Senior Bowl practices. He didn't just answer the questions; he erased all doubt.
Iheanachor was impressive during his practice reps. He sustained blocks, buried defenders, and was a mauler every time he made contact, while also plowing the way in the run game. He always fights through contact and displays a nastiness that is always desirable to all offensive line coaches.
What he showed at Arizona State was confirmed. No prospect helped themselves earn more money in Mobile.
Iheanachor is still relatively new to football. He didn’t even play in high school, but that is also what makes him so intriguing and why his ceiling feels higher than most others.
Max is from Nigeria, where he developed his skills through playing basketball and soccer. His legs, and especially his feet, are nimble and quick! His ability to get to the second level is rare, and he fits modern outside-zone concepts perfectly. Hello Philadelphia.
Max has light feet, great range, and a wingspan that gives him recovery ability that most tackles simply don’t have. He is patient in pass sets, shows great coordination, and mirrors edge rushers rather than panicking and lunging early.
He plays far more experienced than he is. The explosive burst out of his stance allows him to meet speed rushers on equal ground, and his senior season proves it; he wasn’t credited with surrendering a sack.
The rawness shows up on the technical side. Some have concerns about his pad level rising, which robs him of leverage, and about his hand placement and timing, which have at times allowed defenders to slip by, but that is coaching. The traits are what offensive line coaches chase. That frame, length, and twitch are first-round worthy, and his rapid ascension since playing suggests his ceiling has not yet been met, not even close.
The appeal is obvious for the Eagles. They always build around the trenches, and one with such high athleticism is part of their blueprint. He plays with controlled violence and aligns with concepts they seemingly want to use going forward. He has shown adaptability and, more importantly, coachability during his short time playing football. His high-end traits are what elevate o-line rooms and give coaches a player to mold. With the recent news that Lane Johnson will return in 2026, I like the fit even more, as he will learn from one of the best OL in Eagles history. He is one of three OTs this draft cycle that I would love to see in Philly. Blake Miller and Monroe Freeling are the other two.
Historically, offensive tackles are the position that gets the most second contracts. In addition to the cost of signing top-tier OTs in free agency, the Eagles' belief in developing their own has underscored their commitment to this philosophy. Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, and Cam Jurgens have all received second contracts, showing that in Philly, anyone on the OL has that opportunity when they perform well. Could Max be the next in a long line of great OL talent the Birds develop and build around for a decade?
Max remains a trait-based projection, but one many teams are willing to gamble on. The performance in Mobile was loud and removed doubts. A player with an All-Pro ceiling is one that the Eagles will have to consider, even as high as pick 23 in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. I have nicknamed him the Anchor all off-season as a play on words with his name, and I believe there is no better city for tackles to maximize their potential than Philadelphia, and that Max Iheanachor has the skill set and work ethic to anchor the o-line for the next decade.
As always, thank you for reading!
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