The New England Patriots hold the 31st overall pick in Thursday's NFL Draft, and speculation is heating up about how they'll use it. With a roster built to win now, the front office faces a classic draft dilemma: select an immediate-impact player or invest in the future of the offensive line.

In a recent CBS Sports mock draft, analyst Carter Bahns projected the Patriots to address the latter, selecting Arizona State right tackle Max Iheanachor. This move would be a strategic long-term play, providing crucial depth and a potential succession plan for veteran tackle Morgan Moses, who is 35 years old.

Bahns notes that drafting Iheanachor offers "insurance" for second-year tackle Will Campbell, who experienced rookie growing pains, and a "potential successor" to Moses. The veteran's contract is set to expire after the 2027 season, making the timing of this pick logical for sustained offensive line stability.

While an edge rusher remains a strong possibility for the reigning AFC champions at pick 31, securing a talent like Iheanachor would signal a commitment to protecting the quarterback for years to come. He would likely learn behind Moses this season, positioning him to compete for the starting right tackle job in the future and potentially giving New England a formidable young bookend pairing with Campbell.