Before the Super Bowl, Dante Scarnecchia spoke to a small group of reporters and laid out exactly what the Patriots look for in their offensive linemen.
"We covet three things when we look for offensive linemen," Scarnecchia said. "They have to be smart, they have to be tough, and they have to be athletic enough."
PROTOTYPICAL PATRIOTS - Previously in the series:
- QBs: Rosen, Lauletta check plenty of boxes
- TEs: Time to pick up some Gronk insurance
- WRs: Adding more options to a crowded field
While there's certainly more to it than that, those are the basics. Check those off the list, and you'll have a chance. Someone like Cole Croston -- an undrafted rookie out of Iowa -- was able to spend the entirety of the 2017 season on the active roster with the Patriots because he met New England's criteria.
The Patriots have a clear need for depth at offensive tackle after Nate Solder signed with the Giants, but are there players who can come in to be an immediate stopgap on the edge? If so, who are they? And if not, which developmental prospects could be fits?
- PERRY'S MOCK DRAFT 2.0 - New pick for Pats means a new draft plan
Here are some names to keep in mind on draft weekend. These "prototypes" have what the Patriots typically look for in terms of size and athleticism up front:
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PROTOTYPES IN RANGE
MIKE McGLINCHEY, NOTRE DAME, 6-8, 309
KOLTON MILLER, UCLA, 6-9, 305
CONNOR WILLIAMS, TEXAS, 6-5, 296
BRIAN O'NEILL, PITT, 6-7, 297
BRADEN SMITH, AUBURN, 6-6, 315
IMPERFECT BUT INTRIGUING
TYRELL CROSBY, OREGON, 6-5, 309
JAMARCO JONES, OHIO STATE, 6-4, 299
OTHERS TO KEEP IN MIND: NC State's Will Richardson (6-6, 306), who fits the physical profile but has a couple of off-the-field issues on his record; Western Michigan's Chukwuma Okorafor (6-6, 320), who had a good 40 time but whose jumps were somewhat lacking relative to what the Patriots often like to see; North Carolina A&T's Brandon Parker (6-8, 305), who faced a lower level of competition in college but impressed at the Senior Bowl; Pitt's Jaryd Jones-Smith (6-6, 317), who is incredibly long and tested well athletically at the combine, but dealt with a devastating leg injury in 2015; Stanford's David Bright (6-5, 299), who was a captain in a balanced offense but is light and may not have the athletic traits the Patriots want; Louisville's Geron Christian (6-5, 298), who has experience at both tackle spots and good athleticism but is light and didn't test at the combine due to a hamstring injury; Appalaichain State's Colby Gossett (6-5, 311), who has good size and could be a Day 3 choice.