CURRENT STATUS
On the roster: Trent Brown (Contract Year), Conor McDermott (2025), Andrew Stueber (2026), Calvin Anderson (2025), Riley Reiff (Contract Year), Yodny Cajuste (tendered RFA).
Free agents: Isaiah Wynn, Marcus Cannon.
Patriots Historical Drafting
Over the last 16 years, the Patriots have made 14 selections at tackle. Eleven of the fourteen came from major conferences. They nailed the Sebastian Vollmer (Houston), Nate Solder (Colorado) and Marcus Cannon (TCU) selections. I would give them passing grades on Justin Herron (Wake Forest) and Cam Fleming (Stanford). Andrew Stueber (Michigan) had a redshirt season last year. As a first rounder that won’t get a second contract from the team, Isaiah Wynn (Georgia) is a separate debate.
Draft Expectations for the Position
From a league perspective, over the last 6 years, there’s been 3.7 tackles selected in the first round. This year, there should be four. On average, there are 20.5 offensive tackles taken in the draft per year. That number has gone as high as 27 players selected. Last year the number of tackles selected was 22.
Most of the NFL, Patriots included, need offensive tackle help, so you will see a run on the position in the first 2 rounds, maybe you get lucky in the third round. After that, it’s about getting developmental prospects that can turn into reliable starters. They did not draft ahead last year, at least with a high pick, so the position is a significant need for next year and long term. While they’ve addressed the position early in free agency, I expect them to look for a long-term answer in the draft.
Potential First-Rounders
Broderick Jones, Georgia (6-foot-5, 311 pounds): He’s a former 5-star prospect with 19 career starts but this was his first year as the full starter. He’s full of talent and he’s been effective, not allowing a sack (6 pressures) this season. His high-end athleticism really helps him in the pass game, and he has power in the run game. Needs to tighten up his technique (especially on counter moves) but the potential is obvious. He’s well-built (reminds me of Cowboys LT Tyron Smith). He hasn’t played a ton, and experience is desired in a tackle prospect, but he’s practiced and played against the best in the SEC. So, there’s enough tape to get comfortable. He’ll be 21 when he’s drafted, and his best football is ahead of him. I think he’s worth the (FanDuel) bet.
Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio St (6-6, 313): Paris is the type of prospect you build in the lab with the ideal size, length, and traits. He’s a smooth mover, smart player, and the Ohio State coaching staff is very high on his character. He allowed 14 pressures and 2 sacks this year. Last year at RG he was second-team All-Big Ten (1 sack and 4 pressures on 440 attempts). While he’s very fluid, and I believe he has the highest upside of any LT in the draft, he may not be a Day 1 starter. He needs some timing, technique work and more strength (both play & functional) to consistently protect the blindside.
Darnell Wright, Tennessee (6-5, 333): He’s a 4-year starter and he was very good in pass pro this year. He moved from LT to RT, and he was dramatically better. Like Jones below, you must go around him or get him off balance. Body shape could use some work but he’s athletic, strong, and hard to bullrush. I saw him in person against Alabama (vs. Will Anderson) and he was outstanding. He had a strong season (1 sack and only 8 pressures), and he was also the best tackle at the Senior Bowl. He’s played multiple positions in his almost 2,500 career snaps. I don’t think he's an elite NFL tackle but should be a solid starting RT.
Dawand Jones, Ohio St (6-8, 374): As you’ll see below, I was on Jones earlier and higher than most. But I’ve dropped him from the top of class. There’s no question he’s intriguing and there’s a lot to like, but there’s also some concerns that keep him from being a slam-dunk prospect. If you want a summary, he’s Trent Brown 2.0.
Diving deeper, let’s start with the positive. His size and athleticism are rare. According to Ohio State teammates, he’s one of the best basketball players on their team. Which is amazing. He seemed to be a good teammate at the Senior Bowl (but don’t put much stock in that). Pass rushers can't bull him and with his length and athleticism, it's difficult for them to get to the junction point. When he locks in, the defender isn’t going anywhere (pass) or is getting moved (run). He has decent agility for his size but it’s not anything close to elite, especially when it calls for him to recover quickly. Technique-wise he plays higher and at times with too much forward lean that has him off balance. I’d also like for him to stay with blocks longer. While he moves people, he’s not a consistent mauler in the run game.
Weight is going to be important and the heavier he plays the less athletic he'll be. That will lead to penalties, which have been an issue, so focus and footwork are important (same as Trent). There’s an old saying, money will make you more of what you already are. So, the most important part of his evaluation is off the field. What makes him tick, how important is football to him, can he keep his weight in check? Etc. When he arrived out of shape at the Senior Bowl and then didn’t finish the week, I dropped him in my rankings. The good news is that the Patriots will get answers to those questions. If they pick him, it’s because they are comfortable.
While Trent Brown was a 4th rounder, at one point he was one of the best right tackles in the league. Jones has the same type of ceiling; he has potential to be dominating.
Anton Harrison, Oklahoma (6-4, 315): He's not mauler but he’ll earn his paycheck as a pass protector. He gave up 9 pressures this year and 2 sacks as a starter. He's played over 1k snaps which is pretty good given his age (just turned 21). He has good mirror skills, marries his feet to his hands, and has enough athletic skills to stay on the left side. But he needs to play with more strength, both his anchor and run blocking. He also plays a little high, although that can be solved with good coaching. While I am not as high on him, he does have some traits that are God-given. More likely Round 2 but he could slide into the back of Round 1.
*We will cover Peter Skoronski as an OG.
Potential Fits for the Patriots by Round
Round 1: Broderick Jones should be one of the prospects at the top of the Patriots board. He and Paris Johnson Jr. could very well be gone by pick 14. If that’s the case the Patriots should move back and target one of the other tackles later in the round/draft.
Round 2: Jaelyn Duncan, Maryland (6-6, 306): He’s a 4-year starter with great size and good movement skills. He's not a brawler, more of a dancing bear, but he does get to the point of attack. He’s going to be available in Round 2 because he just wasn’t consistent enough this year, especially against top competition (Michigan, PSU, OSU). Not a clean prospect, struggles when rushers get into his chest, doesn’t have the longest arms, and of course the consistency. But the potential is there to be a legit pass-blocking left tackle if he puts it together. Intriguing skillset.
Round 3: Blake Freeland, BYU (6-8, 302): He’s a 4-year starter and team captain. He might be best in a Shanahan type scheme because of his movement skills but I see some Nate Solder to him. He was super effective (12 pressures and 1 sack over the last 3 years) but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Strength is going to be the biggest thing teams will dig him on. He’s thin, especially through the legs, which is a bit concerning. Hand placement is going to be critical for him, especially being a tall guy, facing strong and athletic rushers in the NFL. That said, he’s light on his feet and good on the move. He’s a plus athlete; was a 3-sport star in HS, parents are athletes, crushed the Combine. Blake is also a smart guy. I like his potential to be a starting LT, but he’s going to have some growing pains and needs an NFL nutrition plan, strength program and good coaching to tighten his technique.
Round 4: Warren McClendon Jr., Georgia (6-4, 306): He started 38 games for the Bulldogs, and he’s been a leader within the program. He reportedly has sold FBI. McClendon is more of technician than an athlete, but he plays right to the whistle and won’t back down. He’ll need to work on his anchor, but he has the length to stay at tackle. He may offer some flexibility to move inside if he needs to. I thought he was consistent all week at the Senior Bowl, albeit not flashy, but that’s totally fine for your offensive line room. He was first-team All-SEC player as voted by the coaches and talking to players he went against, they said he got better every year at Georgia. Another target could be Carter Warren (Pitt) who we previewed before the Shrine.
Round 5: Asim Richards, UNC (6-4, 309): He’s a 3-year starter who caught my eye at the Senior Bowl and then showed off impressive athleticism at the Combine. In Mobile, he battled all week and lined up at both guard and tackle. I think that versatility helps him but it’s not totally clear what his true position will be. He needs work on his run blocking and keeping his hands tight, but he has a strong base. I liked him as a potential Patriot. I also considered Northern Michigan's Jake Witt. He's an athletic, developmental prospect.
Round 6: Ryan Hayes, Michigan (6-6, 298): He’s tall but he carries his weight well and has an above-average athletic profile (he was TE in high school). Good leadership traits according to Harbaugh and he's a tough kid. He'll need to develop more strength to finish blocks and anchor the pass game. Also, his arm length isn't ideal for a sure-fire tackle, but his movement skills allow him to get to the second level consistently. His technique is solid, and it will need to remain on that path for him to see the field as a starter. He's a swing tackle, versatile depth piece to start his career and someone you could see developing into a starter.
Round 7: Kilian Zierer, Auburn (6-7, 304): He wasn’t invited to the combine and doesn’t have as much playing experience as you’d like, but I was impressed with him at the Shrine Bowl. Zierer is a smart kid who has good size and gets off the ball well. Honestly, he was better than I expected and thought there was something there to develop. I also see Alex Palczewski (Illinois) as a potential target here. 52 starts at multiple positions for former Patriot coach, Bret Bielema.
Rankings
Preseason:
- Dawand Jones, Ohio State
- Peter Skoronski, Northwestern (ranked as the top guard post combine)
- Jaelyn Duncan, Maryland
- Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
- Blake Freeland, BYU
Post Combine:
- Broderick Jones, Georgia
- Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
- Darnell Wright, Tennessee
- Jaelyn Duncan, Maryland
- Dawand Jones, Ohio State
