PREVIOUSLY
CURRENT SITUATION
On the roster: OG Cole Strange (2027), OG Mike Onwenu (Contract Year), OC David Andrews (2025), OG Chasen Hines (2026), OC Kody Russey (Contract Year), OC James Ferentz (Contract Year), G Bill Murray (Future).
We nailed it last year when we said “the Patriots could be looking at needing two guards”. This year it’s not a priority. After they invested the top pick in Cole Strange (who could potentially be the long-term successor for Andrews), and another depth pick in Chasen Hines they are in a good place. I expect the three starters (Strange, Andrews, Onwenu) to be strong next year. That said, it’s a place where you can never have enough depth. The value of Andrews to this team, and the line, is outsized. If he goes back to making the line calls next year, then his value only increases. They’ll also have a future contract decision on Onwenu. Having quality depth on the line of scrimmage is good business.
Patriots Historical Drafting
Over the last 16 years, the Patriots have made 17 selections (13 guards and 4 centers). When picking they’ve almost always looked at the major conferences, with the notable exception of last year with Strange (Tennessee-Chattanooga). They’ve hit on Joe Thuney, Shaq Mason and Onwenu. Strange is still early but there’s reason to feel good about him being a long-term starter. Andrews was an undrafted free agent.
Draft Expectations for the Position
From a league perspective, over the last 6 years, an average of one center and one guard have been selected in the first round. On average, about 22.6 iOL prospects are drafted per year. That number has gone as high as 27 players selected (last year). This year, there are a couple of immediate starters next year, but it is not a strong year overall. However, there is some depth, especially with college tackles moving inside for positional fit in the NFL. Right now, I see two guards in Round 1 BUT I am counting Northwestern LT Peter Skoronski as a guard because of his arm length. He’s so technically sound he could play tackle, but I think he’d be an elite guard.
This isn’t expected to be an area of focus for the Patriots, but they really struggled the last time Andrews was out of the lineup and they will, like most clubs, add priority free agents for the practice squad and future depth.
Potential First-Rounders
OG Peter Skoronski, Northwestern (6-foot-4, 313 pounds): He’s technically very sound, which means he has excellent footwork, good hands, recovers well and stays low when run blocking. He’s good on the move and effective when pulling. He has good play strength and shows some anchor in the pass game. He’s started every game since he’s been on campus and been very productive. He was All-Conference every year and he gave up 6 pressures on 474 pass snaps this year. He’s a safe pick if you see him as a guard with his biggest challenge being elite rushers with length (ala DeForest Buckner). While he’s the same size as former LT Matt Light, he has shorter arms. If he moves inside because of the arm length then a good comp is Cowboy, Zach Martin.
OG O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida (6-5, 330): He has 47 college starts and zero sacks allowed over the last two years. Perfect for a power scheme and he does a good job keeping his feet. He’ll need to watch his body lean (balance), especially in pass pro. He won’t necessarily get overpowered but elite athleticism could really challenge him. He also needs to watch his weight or else I think he’ll struggle. The closer he plays to 325 pounds the more effective he’ll be. He showed up in good shape at the Senior Bowl and the Combine which is a good sign. His lower half is a fire hydrant and he's barrel-chested. He's athletic for his size and he has massive hands. When he gets locked, defenders get jammed up. He’s a top 45 pick with a solid chance to land in the back of the first round.
Potential Fits for the Patriots by Round
Round 1: Peter Skoronski, Northwestern: He’s the only target at 14 worth the pick. He should start for an NFL team next year. Even if they saw him as a long-term guard, he’s so technically sound you could move him inside down the road. Joe Thuney was a college tackle. With the amount of offensive line injuries, having positional versatility is a major plus.
Round 2: OG Cody Mauch, North Dakota St (6-5, 305): Started his college career at TE and moved inside to tackle after adding weight. He’s solid tracking targets at the second level. I thought he continued to get better at the Senior Bowl, which was important against better competition. His pass pro technique will need some work and like Skoronski his arm length likely means a move inside. But he has the mentality for it, plays with a healthy level of scrappiness and he can move defenders. He has good feet, but he'll need to marry with his hands. But that's most prospects so I don’t see any reason for concern. He’s like a Strange in the sense that he’s a good athlete, works to finish blocks, and may take some time to adjust. But like Skoronski above, his versatility is a significant asset.
Round 3: OG Emil Ekiyor, Alabama (6-2, 314): He’s a 3-year starter and he had good coaching at Alabama (including Doug Marrone and I think I am required to say former Rutgers Head Coach, Kyle Flood). He’s a stout, strong player that is very effective once he's able to lock in. He’s largely effective but his technique, hand placement and strike could use improvement in pass pro. But he’s a mauler in the run game. He practiced at center at the Senior Bowl, and some may see that as his position in the NFL. He’s not the biggest guy and quickness may give him challenges. I think he’s a good depth piece that could develop into a starter.
Round 4: OG Jordan McFadden, Clemson (6-2, 303): He’s a team captain that started 3 years for the Tigers at tackle. He's smaller, not as good in college, but like Isaiah Wynn. He'll need to move inside to guard, but he has plenty of athleticism, he's broad enough, and good enough in the run game to make the switch. Having worked on the outside, while different, helps improve his value and diminish some of the size concerns. He's an athletic backup.
Round 5: OG Jon Gaines, UCLA (6-4, 318): Gaines played RG for the Bruins, but he's lined up at center, tackle, and guard. He’s started 30 career games and he's plenty athletic for the next level. Has some leadership qualities according to program leaders and he’s a very smart player. He's a guy that should make a roster and be good in a locker room. He needs to work on his balance, he gets over his feet at times and while he's athletic, he needs to do a better job marrying the eyes, hands, feet. Gaines may not be a consistent starter but a good backup.
Round 6: OC Jake Andrews, Troy (6-3, 305): Jake Andrews is smart, has a wrestling background, and plays with strong leverage. While he’s a true center, he has playing experience at all 3 interior spots (37 career starts). If you're working off the theory that the Patriots see Andrews/Strange as their short and long-term answer, then a developmental prospect is best (one with true positional versatility is ideal). That said, everything fits for the Patriots and he's a tough kid that you don't want to bet against. Another OC, I could see them targeting late or as a PFA is Penn State’s Juice Scruggs.
Round 7: OG Sidy Sow, Eastern Michigan (6-5, 323): He has 55 career starts and moves very well as a big man. He has the frame for the NFL level, but he'll need development at the next level. He's a late Day 3 flier that could surprise. I was impressed with him at the Combine. The other names to watch are Jovaugh Gwyn (South Carolina), Jaxson Kirkland (Washington) and Alex Forsyth (Oregon).
Rankings
Preseason (Guard)
- Cooper Beebe, Kansas State (returning to school)
- Andrew Vorhees, USC (tore his ACL at the Combine)
- Zak Zinter, Michigan (returning to school)
- O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida
- Layden Robinson, Texas A&M (returning to school)
Preseason (Center)
- John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota
- Olusegun Oluwatimi, Michigan
- Steve Avila, TCU
- Sedrick Van Pran, Georgia (returning to school)
- Ricky Stromberg, Arkansas
Post Combine (Guard)
- Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
- Cody Mauch, North Dakota St
- O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida
- Steve Avila, TCU
- Emil Ekiyor, Alabama
Post Combine (Center)
- John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota
- Luke Wypler, Ohio State
- Joe Tippmann, Wisconsin
- Olusegun Oluwatimi, Michigan
- Ricky Stromberg, Arkansas