Previous draft pick breakdowns:
Bedard’s Breakdown: What Kyle Dugger’s Senior Bowl film tells us about his Patriots future
Bedard’s Breakdown: Putting Josh Uche’s impressive Senior Bowl in proper and needed context
Bedard’s Breakdown: Coaches will need to find right front seven fit for experienced Anfernee Jennings
Bedard’s Breakdown: 9 plays show why TE Devin Asiasi could be Patriots’ most impactful draft pick
Bedard’s Breakdown: Wouldn’t put Dalton Keene into TE box for Patriots – he might need a new one
Bedard’s Breakdown: Michael Onwenu will have to break the Patriots’ guard mold to stick around
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Well, we'll say this about the Patriots' future plans on the offensive line at tackle and guard: they've left themselves a lot of options.
In other words, there's no concrete plan.
Maybe that is a plan.
In that case, sixth-round pick Justin Herron out of Wake Forest fits in perfectly ... because his future could go in a lot of directions: guard, tackle ... out of the league.
Let's start with tackle for the Patriots.
In all likelihood, the hope is that Isaiah Wynn is the long-term answer at left tackle (only durability is really an issue; the talent is there), and Marcus Cannon is the starter for at least this season, unless a cheaper and better alternative emerges.
Right now, that's a complete unknown.
Yodny Cajuste, an injured 2019 third-round pick, could be a starter ... or just a backup. No one knows at this point.
Korey Cunningham was acquired from the Cardinals for a sixth-round pick last year and never contributed with 14 inactives, including the playoff game.
At guard, the Patriots could have the best — and most expensive — guard tandem in the league with Joe Thuney and Shaq Mason, if Thuney isn't traded at some point. Like Cannon, replacing Thuney would be predicated on knowing someone else can start. And the Patriots can't say that for certain at guard either.
Hjlate Froholdt, a fourth-round pick in 2019, had a terrible camp and mercifully was placed on injured reserve.
The Patriots traded a fourth-round pick to the Ravens for Jermaine Eluemunor, and he was inactive for the final four games, including the playoff game. He signed a $2.133 million tender this offseason
The Patriots drafted Michael Onwenu in the sixth round this year as another option.
And that's about it at guard and tackle for the Patriots entering this season. Four good starters, and not a lot of ready options beyond them.
In that regard, Herron is a perfect addition to the group: there's much unknown about him (including his NFL position). At the very least, he gives the Patriots more options.
In many ways, Herron reminds me of Cannon. He was a fifth-round pick out of TCU in 2011, but was recovering from cancer so his second-round talent fell in the draft. Cannon has become a solid right tackle in the league, but it took him a long time and multiple position changes to get there.
It took Cannon six years to land a starting spot in 2016. He showed down the stretch of '15 that he could start at right tackle and be a pretty good one. That was after failed starts (tackle) and spurts (guard), and injury issues.
Cannon's a little bigger and stronger than Herron, but they're very similar overall. Both were guard/tackle tweeners in the draft. Most scouts thought Herron would project as a guard in the NFL — like Cannon — but I think Herron will eventually get a shot at tackle, and possibly to succeed Cannon.
- Smart player on film. Knows he's not the quickest player, so he anticipates the snap could better than the defender to gain an edge. Uses all his tools, including leverage, to gain an edge.
- Long arms allow him to make up for any mistakes.
- Shows flashes of very good foot movement and the ability reset and anchor.
- Should be able to hold own at guard or tackle in the NFL in spurts, so that could help him stick as a swing player. Tackle likely long-term position.
- Hand work could be elite if he gets stronger. Very fast hands.
- Efficient pass blocker, just not flashy. From PFF:
- Foot speed is very inconsistent. At times he looks like a tackle. Other times, he's stuck in the mud.
- Arms get collapsed easily and he allows rushers to get into his chest. Needs to find a good initial punch with proper hand placement.
- Has a very tough time recovering if he oversets to the outside to thwart speed. Susceptible to spin moves and up-and-unders.
- Pass blocking stance needs to be refined and made to more athletic.
- Needs to be more physical and finish better. Appears passive at times. Run blocking leaves a lot to desire.
PATRIOTS FIT