Right Tackle Max Iheanachor Walls off the Pocket

I didn’t know what to expect when I sat down to evaluate the 2025 game film of Arizona State University (ASU) right tackle Max Iheanachor (pronounced ee-HAY-nah-chore).

I hadn’t evaluated him on his 2024 game film, but I kept hearing the name. It got to the point I knew I needed to study him. The thing that pushed me over the edge was seeing him named to the “All Combine Team” on the offensive side of the ball by NFL.com.

So, I sat down to study six games one day and six the next. Offensive tackles are an intense position to study on film. Outside of quarterbacks, I’d say they are the second-most intense position to study.

Why’s that?

1. It’s an extremely important position by NFL standards. These are the guys who are responsible for keeping the world’s best edge rushers off each team’s franchise quarterback.

2. There is a lot of information to sort through. It’s extremely detailed work to be able to extract an offensive tackle prospect’s traits, tendencies, and patterns as they relate to the NFL.

Iheanachor played in 860 snaps in 2025.

Think of his evaluation as putting together a jigsaw puzzle with 860 pieces.

🧩

How did Iheanachor look in pass protection?

Impressive.

The first thing that pops on Iheanachor’s tape is his elite athleticism and quickness.

Iheanachor’s feet also looked better and better as the season progressed. Starting in the Texas Tech game, he looked like he was really starting to put it all together. It’s either sink or swim in a game like that with the kinds of pass rushers Texas Tech has (including edge David Bailey, who is my Edge1 in the 2026 NFL Draft).

He held Bailey to no sacks. That spoke to me.

Throughout the rest of the season ⎯

Iheanachor seemed to have good “football smarts.” While he did improve at picking up unexpected blitzes off his edge as the season went on, he was still inconsistent at doing it.

And opponents kept testing him.

They knew.

But, he handled all of the other run-of-the-mill stuff that tackles are regularily tested with by pass rushers.

How’s his playing strength?

Functional.

What’s his effort level on a scale from 1-10 (10 being the highest)?

8

What was the result of his skill set in pass protection?

Per Pro Football Focus (2025):

• 484 pass blocking reps
• 0 sacks allowed
• 3 hits allowed
• 14 pressures allowed

How did Iheanachor look run blocking?

He’s a good positional run blocker at the initial point of contact.

Outside of that ⎯

He struggles to sustain run blocks.

It goes back to that functional playing strength. Iheanachor’s run-blocking charm is evident in his quickness and high-level understanding of leverage. He looks good pulling, and he can easily get to the second level (where the linebackers reside pre-snap and further downfield).

He gets by as a run blocker.

NFL projection

The NFL is a passing league where 31/32 teams passed the ball more than 50% of the time in 2025.

Perfect ⎯

Pass blocking…

That’s what this guy really excels at.

#58 Max Iheanachor 6-foot-6, 321 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Final 2026 NFL Draft Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by NFL Mock Draft Database to be a Second Round prospect as of April 4, 2026

2025 game film evaluated: Northern Arizona, Mississippi State, Texas State, Baylor, TCU, Utah, Texas Tech, Houston, Iowa State, West Virginia, Colorado, and Arizona (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report

High ceiling prospect. Has an aggressive edge to him. Stays in his own lane. Somewhat raw. Developing quickly. Disciplined to a fault. Competitive. Moves well in pass protection. Fast choppy feet. Sudden. Active. Nice first step. Cat-quick recovery move to the outside. Uses hands well. Occasional mental lapses. Releases blocks too soon sometimes. Picks up “X” and loop stunts. Counters head fakes and spin moves. Decent anchor vs. bull rushes. Hunkers down eventually. His lower back looks like it’s made out of iron when he’s locked up. Can open the back gate when he stops sliding his feet and turns and chases instead. Most vulnerable through his inside gap. Solid combo run blocks. Solid in short-yardage situations.

Final words

Quarterback bodyguard.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. Featured in USA Today. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.