The big 4 Offensive tackles in this draft

[Ochmed Jones]

There are four exceptional offensive tackles with first round grades in this draft.

Vollmer has a balky back and Cannon is much bettersuited to be an OG than an OT.

Since we are talking about the position most responsible for keeping Brady upright, I believe this is an are of need for the Pats.

To that end I see Joeckel and Mathews of Texas A&M along with Lewan of Michigan and Fisher of Central Michigan as having first round grades.

Joeckel should be off the board #1. And Lewan and Mathews off the board top 20.

That leaves Fisher potentially available for us at #32. And while he has had a tremendous season, he violates the BB "big school" rule (and is not 6'8") when it comes to drafting.

Also consider that Barrett Jones will be available at #32 as well, but Wendell has played very well at center and between Mankins, Cannon, Connelly and McDonald,we have OG's.

So does anybody think BB takes Fisher at #32 to solidify up the OT position?

 

[mayoclinic]

There are four exceptional offensive tackles with first round grades in this draft.

Vollmer has a balky back and Cannon is much bettersuited to be an OG than an OT.

Since we are talking about the position most responsible for keeping Brady upright, I believe this is an are of need for the Pats.

To that end I see Joeckel and Mathews of Texas A&M along with Lewan of Michigan and Fisher of Central Michigan as having first round grades.

Joeckel should be off the board #1. And Lewan and Mathews off the board top 20.

That leaves Fisher potentially available for us at #32. And while he has had a tremendous season, he violates the BB "big school" rule (and is not 6'8") when it comes to drafting.

Also consider that Barrett Jones will be available at #32 as well, but Wendell has played very well at center and between Mankins, Cannon, Connelly and McDonald,we have OG's.

So does anybody think BB takes Fisher at #32 to solidify up the OT position?

If we were to draft OT in the 1st round, do you see moving Solder to RT? Is it worth taking an RT in the 1st round? Joeckel will go top 5-10 if he comes out (he's reportedly still on the fence), and is a LT all the way. Mathews is reportedly leaning towards going back so that he can play LT next year if Joeckel comes out and improve his stock, but he's probably a top 10-20 pick right now if he comes out, as is Lewan. As for Fisher, everything that I've read suggests he's a fast riser and won't last till 32 by a long shot. That will be especially true of some of the juniors return, and none of them have tipped their hands so far.

How critical is height? Only Lewan is 6'8" of the 1st round OT's. Joeckel is 6'6", Fisher 6'7", Mathews 6'5". I'm not sure how relevant that is. 6'7" seems plenty tall enough to me. Matt Light was 6'4" and did OK.

Another option to consider if the Pats wanted to go OT would be someone like Oklahoma junior Lane Johnson (6'6" 305#, former QB, and TE) if he declares. Very athletic, with RT experience. Needs to get stronger, but has a ton of upside. Another option might be to take someone like Kyle Long a bit later in the draft. As we found with Vollmer, Scar and BB will make their own appraisal of the position independent of the rankings.

Clearly, a lot depends on the team's assessment of Vollmer's health and whether he is extended for the long term. If he is, it's not high on the list. If not, RT becomes a priority.

 

[patsfaninpa]

We know Vollmer has a balky back. But, he's too good not to re-up. I think Cannon can play RT in the games he's out. He was outstanding against the Jets. Not that he's that great. But, really took Calvin Pace out of the game. I think we'll get a look at him next week against Miami and Cameron Wake. If we keep Vollmer, which I think we will. Not too big a need.

 

[Snake Eyes]

How critical is height? Only Lewan is 6'8" of the 1st round OT's. Joeckel is 6'6", Fisher 6'7", Mathews 6'5". I'm not sure how relevant that is. 6'7" seems plenty tall enough to me. Matt Light was 6'4" and did OK.

Another option to consider if the Pats wanted to go OT would be someone like Oklahoma junior Lane Johnson (6'6" 305#, former QB, and TE) if he declares. Very athletic, with RT experience. Needs to get stronger, but has a ton of upside. Another option might be to take someone like Kyle Long a bit later in the draft. As we found with Vollmer, Scar and BB will make their own appraisal of the position independent of the rankings.

Clearly, a lot depends on the team's assessment of Vollmer's health and whether he is extended for the long term. If he is, it's not high on the list. If not, RT becomes a priority.

I wonder how many GMs today would discount a clone of Walter Jones due to his measly 6'5 height?

 

[stelfans]

Dont see a need to draft an O-lineman that early.
First they need to re sign Vollmer and then i think theres's plenty of potencial to go around in this draft regarding OL.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

The Pats seem to have a predilection, in recent years, for mammoth tackles.

 

[EwanSellars]

id rather go for OL in the later rounds we could go for someone like Blaise Foltz from TCU the guy benches 580

 

[BritPat]

The Pats seem to have a predilection, in recent years, for mammoth tackles.

I think your description of our preferred measureables is a little off base.

Vollmer and Solder are big guys, but they're quite svelte and extremely athletic. Mammoth describes a Max Starks, or a Leonard Davis, or a King Dunlap.

Height and wingspan is definitely what to look for though, something a few of us picked up on a few years ago.

 

[Water Boy]

We know Vollmer has a balky back. But, he's too good not to re-up. I think Cannon can play RT in the games he's out. He was outstanding against the Jets. Not that he's that great. But, really took Calvin Pace out of the game. I think we'll get a look at him next week against Miami and Cameron Wake. If we keep Vollmer, which I think we will. Not too big a need.

Take a look at the 2013 salary cap thread on the main board. I think there is a strong possibility that Vollmer is a cap casualty.

 

[Water Boy]

id rather go for OL in the later rounds we could go for someone like Blaise Foltz from TCU the guy benches 580

Short arms maybe?

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

Short arms maybe?

Maybe, but I don't think so. They look normal length, but we won't know for sure until they are measured.

Either way, Foltz is a guard and this thread is for tackles.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Clearly, a lot depends on the team's assessment of Vollmer's health and whether he is extended for the long term. If he is, it's not high on the list. If not, RT becomes a priority.

This is the wild card. There is no doubt the running game is much better with Vollmer in there. And while not the greatest pass protector,he is still above average.

So do we resign Vollmer and gamble his back holds up? This is the protection of the franchise we are talking about.

I think the Pats do resign Vollmer,but we still a 3rd OT that can step in at a moments notice and play should Vollmer go down.

To that end I see the Pats taking a day 2 OT. Winters of Kent State has had a great year, while Wagner of Wisconsin not so much. But both could excel in our zone blocking scheme.

 

[mayoclinic]

This is the wild card. There is no doubt the running game is much better with Vollmer in there. And while not the greatest pass protector,he is still above average.

So do we resign Vollmer and gamble his back holds up? This is the protection of the franchise we are talking about.

I think the Pats do resign Vollmer,but we still a 3rd OT that can step in at a moments notice and play should Vollmer go down.

To that end I see the Pats taking a day 2 OT. Winters of Kent State has had a great year, while Wagner of Wisconsin not so much. But both could excel in our zone blocking scheme.

Winters is my top OG candidate after Jonathan Cooper. I think he could be another Mankins in time. He certainly has the ability to play tackle as well, but I think he could be a beast at guard for the Pats. He has been a fixture as a day 2 pick on my mocks for a while now. He would certainly have the ability to fill in at tackle in a pinch, which would be an asset.

If Vollmer is re-signed, I see a day 3 developmental swing tackle as a priority in the draft. Kyle Long was my favorite, but his stock looks to be late day 2/early day 3 right now, which may be too high. Reid Fragel of Ohio St. and Luke Marquardt of Asuza Pacific are both intriguing, athletic former TEs with the kind of athleticism that Scar generally likes. Cannon may not be ideal, but he has value, and there's no panic to reach for someone.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Winters is my top OG candidate after Jonathan Cooper. I think he could be another Mankins in time. He certainly has the ability to play tackle as well, but I think he could be a beast at guard for the Pats. He has been a fixture as a day 2 pick on my mocks for a while now. He would certainly have the ability to fill in at tackle in a pinch, which would be an asset.

If Vollmer is re-signed, I see a day 3 developmental swing tackle as a priority in the draft. Kyle Long was my favorite, but his stock looks to be late day 2/early day 3 right now, which may be too high. Reid Fragel of Ohio St. and Luke Marquardt of Asuza Pacific are both intriguing, athletic former TEs with the kind of athleticism that Scar generally likes. Cannon may not be ideal, but he has value, and there's no panic to reach for someone.

I agree on Winters, and that versatility is exactly what BB looks for and why I really like Barrett Jones at #32 if BB stays in the first round this year

But we absolutely have to have 3 OT's that can play. Brady is just too important to our offense to leave unprotected out there. And unfortunately after Solder,we have nothing but question marks.

If BB goes OL early then I have no problem taking Fisher at #32 (assuming BB keeps the pick), but would prefer Barrett Jones who can fill in at any position on the line.

PS: Currently I am looking at Tyler Wilson and Tyler Bray as late 1st round picks and thinking someone is going to a Klye Boller type deal for one of them. I am hoping Wilson has a great bowl season this year.

 

[State]

Eric Fisher all the way, if the Packers don't grab him first. He's very similar to Matt Light except he looks 6'8" to me when I saw him play. Smart, tough, with a surprising amount of pop.

Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan, NFL Draft - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

The Giants manhandled the Packers' O-line this year, and I expect them to reach early to supplement that unit after going defense last year.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Sebastian Vollmer destroyed Cameron Wake(An all-pro de) yesterday. Why we talking tackle? Just pay Vollmer.

 

[Snake Eyes]

id rather go for OL in the later rounds we could go for someone like Blaise Foltz from TCU the guy benches 580

How good is his explosiveness? Lateral agility? Smooth feet?

 

[Snake Eyes]

Sebastian Vollmer destroyed Cameron Wake(An all-pro de) yesterday. Why we talking tackle? Just pay Vollmer.

Because Vollmer is chronically banged up and because other teams might offer a lot more money.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Because Vollmer is chronically banged up and because other teams might offer a lot more money.

Vollmer played 16 games in 2010, 6 in 2011 and 15 this year. He has a balky back. But, not chronic yet. Because of that, other teams won't gamble on him because they don't know his medical condition as well as we do. Can't evaluate a back in a physical like other body parts. Could feel totally different the next day.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Vollmer played 16 games in 2010, 6 in 2011 and 15 this year. He has a balky back. But, not chronic yet. Because of that, other teams won't gamble on him because they don't know his medical condition as well as we do. Can't evaluate a back in a physical like other body parts. Could feel totally different the next day.

The point is that it's a definite risk, and when combined with potentially big money that you may need to throw at him it might be a better risk to restock the position, especially given a tight cap situation.