Mike Lockhart: Building the Offensive Line after round 1
With New England going 4-13 this past season, it landed them the number three pick overall in the NFL draft this April. They have a lot of holes to fill on offense. Everyone expects the top three picks to be quarterbacks. If the Patriots stay at three and take a QB, they will have to address the offensive line at some point. That could potentially be in the second round and beyond. Left Tackle is open. David Andrews may come back. Even if he does, he’s on the back nine of his career. Cole Strange isn’t anything special, and depth is severely lacking on this unit. Let’s take a look at some linemen whom the Patriots could value after round 1.
Jordan Morgan, University of Arizona
TUCSON, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 30: Offensive lineman Jordan Morgan #77 of the Arizona Wildcats during the second half of the NCAAF game at Arizona Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Jordan Morgan was a starter at left tackle for the Wildcats, despite missing time in 2022 with an ACL injury. He returned fully healthy for a tremendous 2023 season and was a team captain, winning awards for team community service. Morgan stands at 6’5” and weighs 315 lbs, boasting very long arms. His long arms aid him in pass protection, which is his biggest strength. Throughout his career at Arizona, he surrendered ten sacks in total, with only one this past season. He needs to work on his strength and power as a run blocker. However, Morgan is prepared to step in and play from day one. He should develop into a consistent and effective pass blocker in the NFL. While a team could potentially take him late in the first round, there’s a possibility he’ll still be available for New England in the second round.
Patrick Paul, University of Houston
HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 21: Patrick Paul #76 of the Houston Cougars congratulates Matthew Golden #2 after a touchdown reception in the first half against the Texas Longhorns at TDECU Stadium on October 21, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Patrick Paul is a large left tackle prospect at 6’7” and 330 lbs. He’s a three-year starter and a two-time team captain for the Cougars. Once Paul locks onto a pass rusher, it’s usually over for them. Patrick doesn’t give up on plays and finishes to the whistle. He was rated as one of the top pass protectors in the country this year. Athletic pass rushers could give him some trouble in the NFL. Houston ran a passing offense, so he doesn’t have the experience in the run game as a blocker. But the tape I’ve seen shows a player who is willing and able to block in the run game. If Patrick Paul commits himself, and there’s no reason to believe he won’t, he’ll be a very good left tackle on Sundays.
Dominick Puni, University of Kansas
LAWRENCE, KANSAS – SEPTEMBER 01: Devin Neal #4 of the Kansas Jayhawks is lifted into the air by Dominick Puni #67 after scoring a touchdown in the first half against the Missouri State Bears at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on September 01, 2023 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
Dominick Puni transferred to Kansas from Central Missouri this past year. He’s a large tackle prospect at 6’5” and 320 lbs. Puni has experience at both right and left tackle. He had an excellent year at left tackle for the Jayhawks and showed very well at the Senior Bowl. Scouts think he has the versatility to play any position on the offensive line, with left tackle not out of the question. Puni would be a steal in the third round.
Andrew Raym, University of Oklahoma
NORMAN, OK – SEPTEMBER 3: Center Andrew Raym #73 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates a touchdown against the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in the third quarter on September 3, 2022 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma won 45-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
It’s not every day a center jumps out at you in a football game, but watching the Senior Bowl, Raym was sealing off running lanes and getting to the second level to make blocks. He’s an athletic blocker who would be a great fit for a zone blocking scheme. Raym has the size for the NFL at 6’3” and 315 lbs. He could develop into a starter as an early Day 3 pick.
Mike Lockhart's NFL combine report: Under the radar quarterbacks
With the NFL Combine coming up this week in Indianapolis, the New England Patriots are sitting with the third overall pick in the NFL draft. After a 4-13 season that featured a talentless, anemic offense, it is apparent the offense can’t move with Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe as the team’s signal caller. Whether it be in free agency, the draft, or both, the position needs new blood. If New England decides to trade the third pick or draft another position, they will need to find a quarterback at some point.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 19: Spencer Rattler #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Iowa State Cyclones in the second quarter of the 2020 Dr Pepper Big 12 Championship football game at AT&T Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye should come off the boards early, if not top three. JJ McCarthey could go in the first or early second round. Patriots fans know you can get a pretty good player late in the draft. They once hit on a certain guy at pick 199. Matt Cassel made a lot of money in this league as a former seventh-round pick. The San Francisco 49ers struck gold with Brock Purdy as the last selection in the 2022 draft; he just went to the Super Bowl. Dak Prescott went off the boards in the fourth round. There are a few names here that could make waves on Sundays.
So let’s take a look at who could surprise in the 2024 draft.
Spencer Rattler, University of South Carolina
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Spencer Rattler #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners scrambles against the Florida Gators during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on December 30, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Spencer Rattler was a highly regarded quarterback coming into his freshman year at Oklahoma. He redshirted that season as Jalen Hurts was the starter. The following year, Rattler took over and was proving to be worth the hype. Rattler had an impressive season with 28 touchdowns for 3,031 yards and only 7 interceptions. Things went the other way for Rattler the following year in Norman, and he transferred to South Carolina. That season, things got even worse. Rattler bounced back this season. He threw the same number of passes, and his interceptions went down. Spencer had an excellent week in Mobile at the Senior Bowl. He was about the only quarterback that made a name for himself that week. Others like Pennix, Nix, Milton, and Sam Hartman hurt their stock. If Rattler can come in and sit a year, he has the potential to be a starter. He will need to work on issues like holding the ball too long and being a more consistent performer at the position.
Michael Pratt, Tulane University
TAMPA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 15: Michael Pratt #7 of the Tulane Green Wave passes during a game against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Michael Pratt has led Tulane to a lot of success in the last few seasons. He started for 4 years for the Green Wave. In 2022, Tulane went 12-2 and won the Cotton Bowl over a Caleb Williams-led USC squad. This past season, they went 11-3, with 22 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions. He can also run and extend plays. Pratt rushed for 5 scores this year. One of my favorite things about Pratt is he doesn’t turn over the ball much. It’s been a few years since he had a multi-interception game. He has the size needed in the NFL at 6’3” 220 lbs. What he lacks in arm strength, he makes up with accuracy, toughness, and the ability to move his feet. He has the velocity on his throws to be successful at the next level. His deep ball is where he lacks strength.
Jordan Travis, Florida State University
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 23: Jordan Travis #13 of the Florida State Seminoles looks to pass the ball against the Clemson Tigers during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
Jordan Travis’s career at FSU ended earlier than he wanted. Travis injured his ankle and had it surgically repaired. He leaves the Seminoles with 66 touchdowns and 20 interceptions in his career. The most interceptions he had in a season was six. This past year, he had only two. Travis is a very good athlete and can extend plays with his legs. He has good velocity on his throws. His deep ball needs work. Jordan would be best suited with a year on the bench in the NFL. You wish he was a little bigger at 6’1” 212 lbs. Jordan Travis could be a steal for a team in the third round if he checks out medically.
