Bedard: An update on Tony Garcia that could have draft implications for Patriots

The conventional wisdom, after watching Nate Solder sign with the Giants, says the Patriots will be aiming to take an offensive tackle high in the NFL Draft.

Makes sense.

LaAdrian Waddle, who re-signed with the club, has made 28 career starts in six seasons -- and none have been at left tackle. He's more viewed as a swing tackle than a starter on either side.

Matt Tobin, a free agent signed from the Seahawks, is viewed along the same lines. He's been a career backup and spot starter.

And then there's Tony Garcia. The third-round pick showed the skills needed to play left tackle — quick feet, good length and overall athletic ability — early in training camp before he left, wasn't seen again and ultimately placed on the non-football injury list. Garcia reportedly was dealing with blood clots and dropped nearly 40 pounds in the process. Less than a month ago, Garcia announced on Instagram he was cleared to resume football activities.

With that backdrop, just about every mock draft has the Patriots taking a tackle with at least one of their two first-round picks, if not trading up for one. This left tackle class is thought to be average but very top-heavy. So if a team wants one, they need to take a player early.

The Patriots may very well end up doing that, given the uncertain nature about when Garcia will be able to play, and if his issue doesn't reoccur.

But don't be surprised if the Patriots pass on a left tackle in the first round. Garcia may be a huge factor in all this.

A chance meeting with Garcia recently in the Foxborough area revealed that 6-foot-6 tackle looks far from sickly or frail from his recent health scare.

In fact, Garcia looks like he could step on a field tomorrow and hold his own. He's added much more muscle than he showed up with last year after the draft — his arms and chest are noticeably bigger.

And his weight isn't far off at this point. Garcia, who disputed the idea that he'd lost 40 pounds, said he currently weighs 290 pounds — his college playing weight — and 13 pounds less than what he weighed at the combine two years ago. He still has three more months until training camp starts, and five until the season gets underway.

And Garcia doesn't just look good.

"Best I've ever felt," a sweaty Garcia said following a workout. "I'm ready to go."

If I had to guess, I would say Garcia should be expected to be a very real competitor in whatever the Patriots' competition at left tackle looks like when camp starts.

Look, this doesn't preclude the Patriots from taking a tackle. They have information we do not, including whether or not Garcia's condition has a chance of flaring up again. And if that's the case, the more assets the better when it comes to protecting Tom Brady's blindside. And it doesn't prevent us from having a great debate on the topic, as was the case here when BSJ commenters weighed the pros and cons of taking a tackle early in the context of whether or not Garcia will be good to go in 2018.

The fact of the matter is Garcia hasn't played football in a football game in over a year. And the last time he suited up, he was playing for Troy. That's not exactly the SEC. So even if Garcia is healthy and ready to go, that doesn't mean the Patriots are ready to put many eggs in his basket.

So, maybe a move to trade for an established veteran, as I argued the other day about Jason Peters, may still be in the Patriots' best interest. Or maybe they do take a tackle early in the draft and let competition dictate the direction.

But if the Patriots don't bring in anyone else, now we know why: the Patriots have taken a look at Garcia, as I have, and like what they see.