2026 Draft: RT

[DoubleDeluxe]

If Chris Bell lasts to 63 he should at least get serious consideration:

1. Bell, when healthy, is a top-25 talent in this draft, IMHO, and a perfect fit for the Pats. Young AJ Brown on a rookie contract.

2. Bell is reportedly ahead of recovery.

3. If we go EDGE at 31, there will almost certainly be no OT worth taking at 63.

4. If we go OT at 31, we can evaluate the available EDGE options at 63 and later relative to Bell.

Not a likely scenario, but chance favors the prepared mind.

And as fans that's all we really should be asking for, for Vrabs and staff to be completely prepared to bob and weave in the draft as it evolves.
I have confidence we will be ready.

 

[Water Boy]

From a philosophical standpoint assuming all things being equal, I'll always prioritize protecting our QB over getting after the opposing QB.

 

[mayoclinic]

My hero!

 

[PatsFan2]

If Chris Bell lasts to 63 he should at least get serious consideration:

1. Bell, when healthy, is a top-25 talent in this draft, IMHO, and a perfect fit for the Pats. Young AJ Brown on a rookie contract.

2. Bell is reportedly ahead of recovery.

3. If we go EDGE at 31, there will almost certainly be no OT worth taking at 63.

4. If we go OT at 31, we can evaluate the available EDGE options at 63 and later relative to Bell.

Not a likely scenario, but chance favors the prepared mind.

What's wrong with taking Chris Bell @ 31 if he was going to be a sure First Rounder minus the injury?? Remember RB Willis McGahee was taken by Buffalo @ 23 after that gruesome knee Injury.

 

[Water Boy]

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

What's wrong with taking Chris Bell @ 31 if he was going to be a sure First Rounder minus the injury?? Remember RB Willis McGahee was taken by Buffalo @ 23 after that gruesome knee Injury.

You can look at the other side of it too.
Easly had serious talent, but significant knee issues.
He never worked out.
I will say ACL surgery/recovery has come a long long way.

 

[mayoclinic]

Charles McDonald/Nat Tice OL rankings:

2026 NFL Draft offensive line rankings: Deep class has several 1st-round candidates to protect your QB

Here are the top 10 offensive line prospects of this draft class according to Nate Tice and Charles McDonald, including a relatively clear No. 1 and a pair of Utah run game maulers.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[PatsFan2]

You can look at the other side of it too.
Easly had serious talent, but significant knee issues.
He never worked out.
I will say ACL surgery/recovery has come a long long way.

BB Reached for Easily: he wasn't a fit for our a Defense not our prototypical DLineman. That alone should have made BB pass; but you know him think he's smarter than anyone else. It's said Chris Bell is ahead of schedule.

 

[manxman2601]

 

[Rdforty2]

I wonder if Jalen Travis who went to the Colts last year is a good comp for Travis Burke's stock.

He was 6'8", 339lbs with not dissimilar speed testing to Burke. Travis went at pick 127 - so equivalent to our first 4th rounder.

The one big difference was that between Ersery, the last of that 1st/2nd round tier of OTs, and Travis, 4 OTs went (Trapilo, Belton, Emery Jones, Charles Grant). That 2nd tier doesn't really exist in this draft.

It'll be interesting to see how it plays out on draft day. McShay mentioned in a podcast last week, Shelton, Bowry, Barber(and Burke) are 3rd rounders. Then he has Dunker ranked as an OT. Hard to separate that into tiers, but thats a group that are in all sorts of orders in the rankings.

I think Dunker is the best of the group, but feel hes best at guard. But, some guys that have been projected at guard have ended up sticking at tackle. Luke Goedeke a recent example. Not predicting it, just saying.

Of that group, Bowry has the most potential to me, but understand leaning towards the length and finishing ability of a Burke, especially with the eye on RT.

 

[manxman2601]

 

[mayoclinic]

Right Tackle Max Iheanachor Walls off the Pocket

Watch 12 games of Arizona State University right tackle Max Iheanachor during the 2025 season embedded in this article.

firstroundmock.com

 

[Water Boy]

But, some guys that have been projected at guard have ended up sticking at tackle.

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[mayoclinic]

Good read on Iheanachor's journey:

Redirect Notice

 

[mayoclinic]

Travis Burke's Sudden NFL Draft Rise Has Teams Scrambling

Memphis offensive tackle Travis Burke is among the fastest rising prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. Burke is generating significant league-wide interest right no

www.si.com

 

[mayoclinic]

TEF scores and weighted TEF scores for the 2026 draft class – Seahawks Draft Blog

seahawksdraftblog.com

 

[mayoclinic]

"In 2 years, he'll be the guy everyone wish they drafted."

 

[mayoclinic]

'I love this guy': How Max Iheanachor's explosiveness has propelled him up NFL Draft boards

Yahoo Sports NFL analyst Nate Tice is joined by former NFL player and coach Mike Tice discuss their mutual adoration of Arizona State's Max Iheanachor as one of the NFL Draft's fastest risers during the scouting process. Check out the full conversation on “Football 301” - and subscribe on Apple...

sports.yahoo.com

Nate Tice has Iheanachor at #11 on his board.

Mike Tice says he would move Iheanachor to LT.

What about:

Iheanachor - Campbell - Wilson - AVT - Moses

in 2026? Trade Mike Onwenu, save $17M in cap space.

Draft PJ Williams ot Niki Prongos in 2027.

 

[Zuma]

Statistically Campbell was better than Trent Williams his 1st season. Prefer Iheanachor at RT.