Pats Pulpit
The latest edition of our Patriots mailbag answers questions about the draft, Ja’Lynn Polk, and more.
The early parts of the offseason continue for the New England Patriots, who are turning their attention to player acquisition. With the NFL Combine later this month and free agency shortly after, free agency and draft speculation are heating up.
So let’s talk about it all and get right into this week’s #PostPulpit mailbag.
A lot pundits were saying that not moving up to draft Kingsley Suamataia last year was a big miss by the Pats, but he was (at least for a year) a bust in KC. Seems like drafting O-lineman might be as big a crapshoot as WR for NE.
The Patriots need to take an absolute can’t miss prospect in the 1st round. Who is the least risky player? It seems to me it’s Mason Graham. - c. lassiter
There is really no such thing as can’t miss in the draft but to me the “hit it down the fairway” option this year is Will Campbell. For the fair conversation about arm length and whether or not he’ll stick at tackle (which we’ll have in a second), Campbell is the best offensive lineman in the class.
Maybe that features a move inside to guard at some point but he’ll still a Pro Bowl caliber player at that spot. It’s tough not seeing him be successful at some position at the next level which could be appealing for a Patriots team that currently feels good about just one position (Michael Onwenu, right guard) along their offensive line.
How much of the Will Campbell arm length talk is warranted? 34+ inch long arms seems to be the standard, but Dante Scarnecchia, a pretty good o-line coach, thought arm length was over-rated. Matt Light had 33.5 inch arms and he managed to protect Brady’s blindside for 11 years and 3 SB’s. Made a couple pro-bowls along the way.
I respect the Combine process but where do you draw the line between measurable and production? The kid started 3 years at LSU blocking the best pass rushers in the country. Plus, ever listen to any interviews with him? He’s absolutely the kind of guy you want in your NFL foxhole. 4th overall might be too rich but if they can trade down and stay in the top 10-12 then I think he absolutely can succeed in the NFL as an OT. - ParaMeds
This is the annual debate with the Combine and it’s why some teams do not even attend the event anymore. That includes the Los Angeles Rams, who have taken advantage of drafting good football players (Puka Nacua, Kam Kitchens, etc.) who may not exactly dominate in the underwear olympics.
But while some of those debates — like Nacua — draw back to 40-yard dash speed vs. live speed play, there are many measurements and check points that do matter. Arm length for tackles is one of those even if the threshold...
