The 2020 NFL Draft is still expected to happen on time, which means it’s time for the return of the Felger & Mazz Big Board.
This time, considering the guys have a lot of time on their hands, they decided to expand the big board. Now they’re looking at every position on the field, starting with each of the three offensive line positions: guard, center, and tackle.
To kick off the 2020 big board season, Felger & Mazz chucked a bunch of markers at draft magazines to predict potential Patriots at the guard position. Here’s a quick look at the players they hit.
Ben Bredeson, Michigan
Ben Bredeson. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
From NFL.com: “Four-year starter who will get dinged for some athletic limitations, but possesses the body type, leadership and toughness necessary to play in the league. There are correctable elements in his game that should forge continued improvement, but there will be some bumpy roads against interior quickness. He should become an average starter.”
ANALYSIS
Felger: “They need a little bit more size there. Boy, 6-4, thats big for a guard, eh?”
Mazz: “Maybe he’s your answer at tackle and they put the fat kid from Georgia on the inside.”
Solomon Kindley, Georgia
Solomon Kindley. (Matt Stamey-USA TODAY Sports)
From NFL.com: “Nasty guard who lives in scrap mode, looking for fights inside a relatively small phone booth where he’s most comfortable. Kindley has the frame of a powerful guard, but doesn’t bend well enough to generate leverage and push at the point of attack. The size and toughness are great, but Kindley needs to play with better control and technique in order to become an average NFL backup.”
ANALYSIS
Felger: “He plays to the echo of the whistle, Mazz. He doesn’t just play to the whistle. He waits for that thing to ECHO before he stops!”
Mazz: “Remember they couldn’t get guys out to the second level to block last year. The last thing they need is a fat guy with no speed who’s gonna fall all over himself.”
Calvin Throckmorton, Oregon
Calvin Throckmorton. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
From NFL.com: “Well-built tackle-to-guard prospect with very good core strength and displacement power in his upper body. The problem for Throckmorton is that for all his contact balance and diligence to play under control, his lower body stiffness and lack of functional quickness permeates his play in both the run and pass and will be much more pronounced on an NFL offensive line. The technique and quality of play is draft-worthy but physical limitations might make him no better than a replaceable backup.”
ANALYSIS
Felger: “What does that mean, ‘he’s a waist-bender’?”
Mazz: “Better to be a waist-bender than a waste product.”
Listen to the first Big Board of 2020:
The Felger & Mazz Big Board continues Tuesday, April 8 with the center position.