Starting to take a closer look at what the Patriots currently have on the roster, and the top draft prospects at each position.
Previously:
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
Current Patriots Roster
Trent Brown (free agent), Isaiah Wynn (contract year), Yodny Cajuste (contract year), Justin Herron (2023), Yasir Durant (RFA in 2023).
Patriots Historical Drafting
Over the last 15 years, the Patriots have made 13 selections at tackle. Ten of the thirteen came from major conferences. They nailed the Sebastian Vollmer (Houston), Nate Solder (Colorado), and Marcus Cannon (TCU) selections. I would give them passing grades for Isaiah Wynn (Georgia), Justin Herron (Wake Forest), and Cam Fleming (Stanford).
Draft Expectations for the Position
From a league perspective, over the last 5 years, there’s been 3.4 tackles selected in the first round. This year, there should be at least four. On average, there are 20 offensive tackles taken in the draft per year. That number has gone as high as 27 players selected.
Most of the NFL, Patriots included, need offensive tackle help so you will see a run on the position in the first 3 rounds. After that, it’s about getting developmental prospects that can turn into reliable starters. Tackle isn’t a dire need for the team but after next season it gets very murky. In the past this is the position I’d expect them to target early, drafting a year ahead, so that a transition could be seamless. Either way, I expect them to add draft picks and address the position at some point.
Potential First-Rounders
Evan Neal, Alabama (6-foot-7, 350 pounds): The odds-on favorite to be the top pick in the draft and protect the blindside of Trevor Lawrence. He’s very good in the pass and run game. He’s played RT and LG in his career so he’s positionally flexible as a rookie. His size and athleticism make him a fit for any scheme. Because of his size, balance and staying on his feet are areas he’ll need to work on against NFL edge defenders. But he's an immediate starter and I expect him to be the first tackle selected in the draft.
Ikem Ekwonu, NC State (6-4, 322): He’s a first-rounder but also won’t be available when the Patriots select. Ekwonu is a really physical player who has the ability to bully players with his strength and his strike. His recovery skills are excellent, and he has a plus anchor. His pass protection will need refinement but he's probably the best run blocker in the country. He may end up at guard at the next level (with All-Pro potential), but he could stay at tackle if he gets his pass protection refined - like LA Chargers first-rounder, Rashawn Slater.
Charles Cross, Mississippi State (6-5, 305): His tape last year showed flashes of brilliance baked with inconsistency. This year he’s been more consistent - especially pass blocking. He really improved his technique (which unlocked his size advantage) and showed the traits needed to be a top tackle (mirror, anchor, strength to stunt defenders, etc.). Cross was a high-level recruit because of his size and athleticism. Not sure if he’s a Day 1 starter (that is a very basic scheme, there’s some technique work, and push needed in the run game), but he has Pro Bowl potential and fits the profile of an ideal LT.
Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa (6-6, 330): Penning’s best trait is run blocking. Broad shoulders and long arms for the pass game but needs to work on handling speed and stunt awareness. Reputation proceeds this tape, and he plays with the nasty streak with the ability to move people. He has ideal size but needs to watch his pad level. I thought he was the best tackle in Mobile at the Senior Bowl. He could start next season, but he may struggle early against speed rushers.
Bernard Raimann, Central Michigan (6-6, 303): From Austria and started playing football as a WR and entered college as a TE. He added weight and moved to the offensive line, and he really improved this year. What that means is that he's a good athlete for the position. Raimann was the MAC Offensive Player of the Year this year. Has plus strength but right now he's much better in the run game (and plays through the whistle) than the pass game. He needs to improve his technique and it will help putting on NFL bulk before he's ready to start on Sundays. He'll go in the first 50 picks because of his potential upside.
Potential Fits for the Patriots by Round
Round 1: I think the top 4 tackles are gone by the time the Patriots select. An ideal world, Cross or Penning slip to number 21. Raimann could be had later in Round 1 if they really like the player.
Round 2: Nicholas Petit-Frere, Ohio State (6-6, 315) - Picking Petit-Frere is betting on his upside, which is significant. I think if he had returned to school, he’d be a top 12 pick next year. He’s a 3-year starter (guard, right tackle, and then left tackle). He has plus athleticism and ideal left tackle size. He needs to improve his anchor, awareness, and punch in the pass game. Teams will have to get comfortable that he struggled against Michigan’s top DE’sand to a lesser extent against Nebraska and Penn State. But in all the other games he was very effective. So, there is some boom or bust to him but when projecting what he could be he has potential to be a long-term blindside tackle, like current Raven Ronnie Stanley.
Round 3: Max Mitchell, Louisiana (6-6, 303): This will be the 3rd straight year a lineman drafted out of Louisiana. In Mitchell’s case, the coaches love him. He moves well and that's his game. It isn't power but does get where he needs to, has solid footwork and is accurate with his hands. Will need to add more NFL weight and anchor to be a consistent LT but he has the frame.
Round 4: Dare Rosenthal, Kentucky (6-7, 327): If you molded a LT in the lab, it would look like Rosenthal. I think he’s a better pro prospect at tackle than his much more highly touted teammate, Darian Kinnard (6-4, 324). He shows good movement and strength in the run game. He does a good job setting himself in pass protection, using his length and athleticism to his advantage. Good agility and good on the move. NFL teams will need to understand the rule violations at LSU to determine his draft status.
Round 5: Obinna Eze, TCU (6-6, 327): He has the size the Patriots covet and the athleticism (former basketball player). His game has some similarities to both Cannon and Trent Brown. Scouts will like his size, power in the run game and length in the passing game. There is some question on how he’ll handle speed rushers that also have plus bend. He may need some time to develop into a potential starter.
Round 6: Luke Tenuta, Virginia Tech (6-7, 317): Twenty-six career starts even though he's a young player. He declared early and it would have helped him to stay in school for more seasoning. He's a development pick and potential swing tackle (he played both sides for the Hokies). Patriots will love his length, smarts, and awareness. He has good coordination which is necessary given his size. Like most players that height, he can struggle with leverage and will need to improve pad level before he's ready to see the field.
Round 7: Vederian Lowe, Illinois (6-4, 320): Led the program in career starts (over 50) and was one of the college football’s "Man of the Year" nominees. He's mature, already married with a family, and he adopted his younger brother after their mother passed away. They love him inside the program, and he improved this year under former Patriot coach, Brett Bielema. He's good in the run game, decent in the pass game but Lowe is a development prospect that will need continued coaching. Good guy to bet on this late in the draft.
Priority free agent: Zach Tom, Wake Forest (6-3, 297): He’s started 37 games for the Deacons and was first-team All-ACC this year. He’s very strong in pass protection and a really good technician. Tom is a very smart player, has given up just two sacks in over 3,100 snaps, and once he gets on an NFL strength program, he may turn into a quality starter somewhere along the line of scrimmage.
