The reporting on the Brown trade has made it easy to forget that the Patriots soon will add several players in the 2026 NFL Draft.So, what will New England do with the 31st-overall pick?ESPN insider Adam Schefter offered insight in the latest episode of his podcast. Schefter identified Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor as a prospect whom New England could target late in the first round.“I have a sense the Patriots might have some interest in (Iheanachor)," Schefter said. "They have to operate under the assumption that AJ Brown’s gonna be coming in, so they’re gonna be in a good spot.”It's unclear whether the Patriots would target a tackle like Iheanachor as a replacement for right tackle Morgan Moses or left tackle Will Campbell.

Iheanachor primarily played right tackle at Arizona State, but New England could view him as a player capable of playing either spot.Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and personnel executive Eliot Wolf have insisted Campbell will remain at left tackle, but that wouldn't preclude them from drafting a prospect with left-tackle traits as a contingency plan in case Campbell eventually needs to be moved to left guard. It's also worth noting that Vrabel attended a scouting event at Arizona State last month, giving him an up-close look at Iheanachor.Here's what NFL Media's Lance Zierlein wrote of Iheanachor in his scouting summary:"An ascending, traits-heavy tackle prospect, Iheanachor is a former high school hooper and late-comer to football.

He has good length and excellent lean mass. 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."The NFL draft begins Thursday night.More NFL: Adam Schefter Reveals Likely Trade Price For Patriots-A.J. Brown Deal