When Isaiah Wynn and Trent Brown went down at various times during 2021, it was clear the Patriots were in need of at least depth. It's unclear in Onwenue will stay at tackle or go back to guard. Here are some early tackle prospects. Some play multiple positions on the line, at least one also plays tight end.
Evan Neal Alabama 6'6" 360 LBS
TDN "Neal showed the ability to have positional versatility during his career at Alabama, playing both RT and LT. He has the natural run-blocking skill set to play RT, but he plays with better pace in pass pro at LT. He also has the mauler mentality in the run game that allows him to play snaps at guard."
Trevor Penning Northern Iowa 6'7" 321 LBS
TDN "He has aligned at both tackle positions at UNI. While I think he could suffice on the left, I think his skill set is ideally suited for the right side. "
Kenyon Green TXAM 6'4" 325 LBS
TDN "Any team that drafts Green is getting a player that has experience playing four different offensive line positions. Green’s body mass, strength, and athleticism allow him to play in multiple positions effectively. Green’s versatility will serve NFL teams well as they will be able to plug and play him wherever they have a need."
Nicholas Petit-Frere Ohio State 6'5" 315 LBS
TDN "He’s got the length, functional strength, lateral mobility, and skills in space to insert into damn near any offense or concept you could draw up. That appeal gives him a plethora of potential landing spots in the draft. That, plus his left/right tackle experience, sets him up to be an immediate asset."
Ikem Ekwonu NC State 6'4" 320 LBS
TDN "Ekwonu has three years of starting experience at left tackle but has also played more than 200 snaps at left guard."
Rasheed Walker Penn State 6'6" 325 LBS
Sports Illustrated "Walker needs to play more consistently, but his natural tools and flash plays, show a player who can be a high-level starting left tackle in the NFL."
Abraham Lucas Washington State 6'7" 325 LBS
TDN "He has predominantly aligned at right tackle. He projects with sufficient swing ability to left tackle. He doesn’t have much guard flexibility."
Zion Johnson BC 6'3" 315 LBS
TDN "Johnson has two seasons of experience at Boston College playing left guard and one at left tackle. His best position is on the interior but he can play tackle in a pinch if necessary. Johnson is a natural fit in a zone rushing scheme but also holds his own with gap concepts. While he’s best in pass protection, Johnson is a balanced blocker that finds success in the run game and operating in space."
Darian Kinnard UK 6'5" 345 LBS
TDN "He started three games at left tackle in 2018 as a true freshman, leaving him with experience to tap into on both sides of the line of scrimmage and potentially leave him as someone capable of playing four spots along the offensive line if he lands somewhere that shares the vision of playing him on the interior."
Daniel Faalele Minnesota 6'8" 380 LBS
TDN "He's probably raw and new enough to the position that you could transition him to left tackle if necessary or in a pinch, but playing him inside feels like a losing battle given the length of his punch, the irregularities to his game as a new player of the game, and the speed and quickness of which interior action takes place. Swing value isn't great, but it is covered by his ceiling as a starter."
Dare Rosenthal Kentucky 6'7" 327 LBS
PFN "He’s trending up, and he has the athletic upside to be an NFL starter. Day 2 is very much in the realm of possibility. And from there, Rosenthal could be groomed into a formidable NFL left tackle."
Jamaree Salyer Georgia 6'4" 325 LBS
PFN "He profiles well as a potential starter at guard. But his experience at both tackle and guard makes him an appealing, versatile depth lineman right away."
Luke Tenuta Virginia Tech 6'7" 318 LBS
NFL Draft Buzz "Adequate foot quickness to remain outside. Can get to the second level with surprising agility when adjusting to moving defenders. Underrated athleticism, agility, balance, and even straight-line speed to contribute.",
Sean Rhyan UCLA 6'5" 320 LBS
PFN "He also has some positional versatility. Against Oregon in 2020, Rhyan switched to right tackle at times and did not falter. He also projects well inside if NFL teams prefer to see him there."
John McKenzie USC 6'5" 320 LBS
Charles Goldman "He’s shown the versatility to slot in at both offensive guard spots and the right tackle position. I’m particularly fond of what he’s shown in college at the right tackle position."
Nick Zakelj Fordham 6'5" 325 LBS
Bleacher Report "Zakelj has bursts of talent that make you take notice but is hot and cold with a lot of issues to clean up. He is likely a backup for the foreseeable future but has some alluring traits to take a shot on late in the draft."
Obinna Eze TCU 6'8" 335 LBS
Blue Chip Scouting "Can play either side of the offensive line. Looks to be more comfortable on the left. Might be able to make the switch inside to guard."
Myron Cunningham Arkansas 6'6" 325 LBS
TDN "Cunningham has played right tackle and guard before finally finding a home at left tackle. His best position will likely come at right tackle where he isn’t asked to face speed rushers as often and would allow him to be on the strong side where he can excel as a run blocker. "
Austin Deculus LSU 6'5" 325 LBS
Sports Illustrated "Experience right tackle with very good size. Deculus has slow feet (for a tackle) and is a waist bender who will likely transition to guard."
Vederian Lowe Illinois 6'6" 320 LBS
Sports Illustrated "Experienced left tackle who will meet size and length thresholds at the position."
NFL Draft Buzz "Best asset is his strength and disposition as a run blocker. Gives a strong initial punch. Plays with good leverage bends at the knees and sees what he's hitting, showing the ability to roll his hips into the defender and drive him off the line of scrimmage."
Andrew Stueber Michigan 6'7" 338 LBS
Bleacher Report "Overall, Stueber has the stature, length, mental processing and craftiness with his hands in pass protection to make the move inside, carve out a role as a backup and have some developmental upside as a potential spot starter down the road."
Cade Mays Tennessee 6'5" 325 LBS
TDN "While Mays has played every spot along the offensive line, he's best suited to play right guard in the NFL. I also think he is best suited for a gap-blocking run scheme. His resume and projection don’t line up."
Long shots and dark horses:
Chris Paul TULSA 6'4" 325 LBS
TDN "Paul has two years of starting experience at right tackle, one at left guard, and one at right guard. I believe his best spot at the next level is guard, where my concerns about pass sets are mitigated. I don’t believe he is a player that restricts the scheme when playing on the interior."
Blaise Andries Minnesota 6'6" 315 LBS
Sports Illustrated "Blaise Andries boasts elite positional versatility as Minnesota asked him to play left tackle, right tackle and right guard all within the same drive versus Ohio State in 2021 (also played left guard earlier in career) and he looked functional at all spots."
Bamidele Olaseni Utah 6'8" 350 LBS
NFL Draft Buzz "Plays with appropriate wide base and intelligence, instincts and agility to seal the edge. Aggressive extending with power to punch and looks comfortable in space."
Caleb Jones Indiana 6'8" 370 LBS
NFL Draft Buzz "Passes the eye test - impressive frame, thick lower half and overall length. Has the length to recover when beaten but does lose balance when he doesn't bend at his knees. Has a good anchor and hustles to stay alive."
Ben Petrula Boston College 6'5" 325 LBS
TDN "Four-year starter. Started 12 games at center in 2017 and every game in 2018 and 2019 at right tackle before playing every game at right guard in 2020. He’s a powerful dude."
Tyrese Robinson Oklahoma 6'4" 325 LBS
NFL Draft Buzz "Plays with appropriate wide base and intelligence, instincts and agility to seal the edge. Aggressive extending with power to punch and looks comfortable in space.Lone concern is handling the superquick NFL edge rusher. Foot speed and quickness are very good, but not elite."
Tyler Smith Tulsa 6'6"
Charles Goldman "He was one of the best left tackles in the country the year prior. Listed at 6-6 and 332 pounds, Smith is a people-mover in the ground game and the passing game. He’s the ultimate finisher, playing through the whistle, blocking guys into the turf on a down-to-down basis."
Colby Ragland UAB 6'5" 320 LBS
Browns wire "The All-C-USA representative has the ideal length and college production as a three year starter to warrant serious consideration."
Sage Doxtater New Mexico State 6'6" 350 LBS
PFN "Nice-sized prospect with good upside. Stays square, keeps his head on a swivel, and effectively uses body positioning to seal defenders from the action. Remains disciplined with assignments. Works to bend his knees, blocks with leverage, and gets his hands into opponents."
Walter Rouse Stanford 6'6" 320 LBS
Sports Illustrated "Players stepping in for established starters due to injury are not typically expected to thrive. Walter Rouse, though, excelled in the starting left tackle role after first-stringer starter Walker Little’s 2019 season ended prematurely. The two-year starter’s appeal as a prospect is derived from his athletic tools."
Jordan Reid Michigan State 6'5" 315 LBS
PFN "Versatile lineman who plays with a nasty attitude. Quickly sets up off the snap, stays square, and blocks with a wide base. Fires out to the second level, shows strength, and controls opponents once engaged at the point. Plays bigger than his listed size and works blocks."
Ryan Nelson Virginia 6'6" 315 LBS
NFL Draft Buzz "Anchors well and plays with the low center of gravity and natural bend to seal the inside lanes. Has violent hands with hustle to close off bubble screens and lead to flatten linebackers. Nasty demeanor and highly coachable."
One area as long as the Patriots develop that I'm not too worried about is the offensive line. I expect one of these guys at the very least to make the Patriots practice squad in 2022. I mean remember David Andrews was a UDFA, if there's talent Bill will see it.
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