Watched as much film as I could on Chattanooga guard Cole Strange, who was the surprise first-round pick of the Patriots on Thursday night. We found Senior Bowl one-on-one reps against some draft prospects (tough time with UConn's Travis Jones), and also his vaunted game against Kentucky (ESPN's Louis Riddick, a friend of Bill Belichick, raved about Strange's performance in that game after the pick).
We voiced over the film to give you our thoughts, and that's presented below for members. But first, a sampling of opinions from around the NFL, starting with the Rams' reaction in real-time to the pick:
LA Rams Sean McVay genuine reaction to the Patriots selection of Cole Strange…
— Papi (@SnakeDraftViper) April 29, 2022
This does not look good for Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots❗️#Patriots #ForeverNE pic.twitter.com/twgl3B71wc
Jim Nagy, Senior Bowl director and former Patriots scout:
Two things, Pats fans: 1) majority of teams we spoke w/ had second round grades on Cole Strange; 2) the dude can play. Immediate Day 1 starter at OG & eventual high-end replacement for Andrews at OC. Don’t make same mistake you made bashing Kyle Dugger pick. https://t.co/rU9t1RcZ4j
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) April 29, 2022
This was a huge reach on my board. I thought Strange might sneak into Round 2, but he's not a first-round talent. I know New England has a hole at guard, but will Strange even start immediately? Strange made 44 starts in college and plays with good technique, but this is high for a prospect who is No. 69 on my Big Board.
The good thing for Bill Belichick & Co. is that they added extra capital by moving down eight spots with the Chiefs, adding pick Nos. 94 and 121.
3. COLE STRANGE, Chattanooga (6-5, 305, 5.08, 2-3): Spent six seasons at the FCS level. “I like him as a guard,” said one scout. “I like him in a West Coast system to run off the ball in a wide zone. He can do that. He’s got a real upside. He fit right in that category with (Hobart’s) Ali Marpet and some of these small-school guys nobody ever heard of … the kid (Quinn) Meinerz (Wisconsin-Whitewater) last year. He went in the third and ended up being a starter (for Denver). He was a guard in college but took reps at center in the Senior Bowl.” Strange played mostly center in Mobile after starting 42 games at LG, one at center and one at LT. “Mountain man, has a big beard,” a second scout said. “Very smart (Wonderlic of 28). Lots of fights he’s had on the field. His team and the other team. He’s a tough SOB. Won’t take any shit. Like this kid. Good chance he can play center.” Led the centers on the bench press (31) and broad jump (10-0). “He’s a figment of someone’s imagination,” a third scout said. “He’s narrow built and plays that way. You can see the strength when he’s playing I-AA but when he plays bigger comp he gets pushed around. He’s stiff in space. I don’t see the athlete I want for center. He’s like a tweener that’s not great at either (position). Plays his nuts off. He’s mean. He’s a good free agent but I see very limited upside.” From Knoxville, Tenn.
The Athletic
SUMMARY: A five-year starter at Chattanooga, Strange lined up primarily at left guard in offensive coordinator Joe Pizzo’s zone-based spread scheme. A 250-pound defensive end out of high school, he had no offensive line experience when he enrolled, but he dedicated himself to the transition and plays like a throwback with his bare hands (no gloves), single-bar lineman facemask and nasty attitude. Strange, who is attempting to become the first Chattanooga player to be drafted in the top five rounds since Terrell Owens in 1996, commanded the NFL’s attention with his 2021 performance vs. Kentucky, and he again rose to the occasion at the Senior Bowl, showing his versatility at both center and guard. His hands and feet need to be on time or defenders will take advantage, which will drastically lower his margin for error vs. NFL power. Overall, Strange struggles to recover once defenders gain the upper hand, but he works hard to stay balanced with his quick feet, strong hands and competitive toughness. He will be ready to compete for an NFL starting job (guard or center) in year one.
GRADE: 3rd Round (No. 73 overall)
NFL SOURCES
"Too early. Could’ve got him tomorrow. He’s tough, smart and plays hard. Loved football."
"Love the makeup. Little light, needs to get bigger. Someone could have taken him in the second."
"Definitely a surprise that he went in the first round. Not sure he starts right away."
"Craziness to take him that early."
GAME FILM
Senior Bowl
Chattanooga vs. Kentucky
BEDARD'S ANALYSIS
Strengths
- Tremendous athletic ability. Extremely quick-twitch lineman rarely seen for the position. Quick off the ball with feet and hands and gets to the second level and down the field faster than nearly all NFL linemen.
- Locks on to his assignment and doesn't let go, whether it's in space or close quarters.
- Finishes to and beyond the whistle all over the field.
- Not the biggest player but anchors well and knows how to reset his feet and maintain leverage.
- Very smart. Sees plays and defenders coming and adjusts quickly.
Weaknesses
- Does not have the strength or lower body weight TODAY to start and be an upper-level guard in the league. Does not look 6-4 and 307 on film. Appears to be more 6-2 and 290. He appears small and light, and he gets shoved around by the stronger players (like Travis Jones).
- Wins with quickness and angles instead of strength and brute force. May show up in the pro run game early.
- While the athletic ability is great, there isn't much film where you watch and say wow. Steady and good, just not a wow player.
- Didn't face much top-flight competition.
- Will be 24 years old this season.
Parting thoughts
- Projects as early guard contributor but best long-term position might be center. He looks like a throwback to the best centers from decades ago like Mike Webster and Dwight Stephenson. No gloves, single bar facemask, not overly bulked anywhere. Looks like a great center from the 1960s or 70s. I think he could be an elite center and that could very well be his best position. David Andrews is signed through 2024 and he'll be 30 this season.
- To be Logan Mankins, Strange will need to get a lot more playing strength, especially in the lower body, very quickly. He just doesn't play with very much mass right now.
- Mankins was a great pro, but the Patriots never won a Super Bowl with him.
- Hard to believe the Patriots had to have this player in the first round, and couldn't have gotten a similar player — if not the same player — a bit later. Shaq Mason could be a better guard and he was taken in the fourth round. David Andrews is a good center, was undrafted and anchored Super Bowl-winning lines.
- Strange, regardless of who the Patriots pick with the trade-down picks, will always be compared to the players the Patriots passed on between 21 and 29 — all players that could help the Patriots, some drafted by AFC rivals (bold):
21. Chiefs: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
22. Packers: Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
23. Bills: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
24. Cowboys: Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa
25. Ravens: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
26. Jets: Jermaine Johnson, DE, FSU
27. Jaguars: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
28. Packers: Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
For me, the ones that hurt the most, in order: Lloyd, Johnson, Elam, McDuffie, Walker, Smith, Linderbaum, Wyatt.