The Patriots have a few positions they figure to hit with some premium picks — quarterback, linebacker, offensive tackle, cornerback, safety and possibly edge, RB and DT — in the draft starting Thursday. We’ve already addressed the QBs in two parts (first-rounders, the second group), and we’ll tick through the other positions by giving you our picks early, middle and late:
OFFENSIVE TACKLE
2022 free agents: Isaiah Wynn (5th-round option pending), Trent Brown
2022 starters as of today: Justin Herron, Yodny Cajuste.
Need: HIGH.
Draft class: Good and deep.
EARLY PROSPECTS
Penei Sewell, Oregon (6-5, 331 pounds, 5.09 40 time): Excellent player but I'm not sure he's great. Feet are a little slower than you expect for his reputation. But here's the thing: he always ends up in the way and takes great angles. Very efficient. Top 10 pick.
Rashawn Slater, Northwestern (6-4, 304, 4.91):
Has the body and arms of a guard, but he's another just damn good tackle. Neither of the top two guys are dancing bears — but they are extremely effective. Some question about whether or not guard is his best position. Bit of a gentle giant. Top 15 pick.
Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech (6-4½, 322, no 40): Really enjoyed watching his tape. Much more sudden of an athlete than the top two players, but not as good of an athlete. Gets after it in the running game. Posture is a little lacking, but his work against two-man games is very advanced. Shows he's a very smart player with vision. Top 20 pick.
Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC (6-4½, 308, 5.12): Patriots type of guy in that he can play multiple positions and be good at all of them. Almost a perfect Joe Thuney replacement in that regard. Very good athlete who has sudden hands and plays with excellent balance.
Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma State (6-6, 317, 5.01): After playing passive at RT, Jenkins looked like a different player this past year on the left side. Played angry and nasty. Moved guys. Well-built. Feet aren't great and may ultimately be a guard or RT in the pros, but if he can take coaching and keep playing with an edge, he'll be a good player. Top 40 pick.
Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame (6-6, 306, no 40): Super polished and efficient. Looks like a pro right now. Not the greatest athlete, which dings him a bit, but he's good enough. Has the highest floor of any of these players, but lowest ceiling. He's the guy you would bet on to have the longest starting career. Reminds me of Joe Thuney a bit. Love the player.
MIDDLE PROSPECTS
Samuel Cosmi, Texas (6-6, 314, 4.87): Tremendous athlete and workout, but something's missing. Has bad waist-bending posture that needs to be fixed, if it can be. Has the feel of a right tackle.
Alex Leatherwood, Alabama (6-4½, 312, 5.01): Thick player at LT for the Tide but might ultimately be a RT or guard. Not as big as Mike Onwenu but similar style player. Tested very well.
Dillon Radunz, North Dakota State (6-5½, 301, 5.16): Reminds me a bit of former Packers LT Chad Clifton. Pretty talented at this point but needs to get a lot stronger in both his upper and lower body. Sometimes fails to anchor. Nasty on the field. Works at it. Has profile for long career at either tackle spot.
Walker Little, Stanford (6-7½, 313, 5.26): Got hurt in first game of 2019 and then opted out. Needed a lot of help from guards and tight ends for the Cardinal. Big guy with some potential but where is he right now with his knee and conditioning?
Spencer Brown, Northern Iowa (6-8½, 311, 4.91): Sleeper pick. If someone combined Nate Solder and Dan Skipper, not only would I be in heaven, but you would have this prospect. Very raw but tested off the charts for the position and massive size. Needs to be brought along, but could be the perfect guy to sit for a year beyond Wynn and Brown, and then be ready to start.
LATE PROSPECTS
Brady Christensen, BYU (6-5, 302, 4.89): Had a tremendous workout but it doesn't match up to the tape, where he's a bit plodding in the line. He can, however, get out and pull and wreck people.
Larnel Coleman, UMass (6-foot-6, 307 pounds, 5.17): Former defensive lineman has the longest arms (35½ inches) in this class. Good athletic ability but a project that is willing to work.