Improving the left side of the line

[JoeSixPat]

From a draft perspective.

Potential LTs available:

Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Monroe Freeling, Georgia
Caleb Lomu, Utah
Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern

Proctor is seen by many as a future guard a la Mekhi Becton. Has outstanding length, size and athleticism but put some dodgy performances on tape, particularly earlier in the season.

Freeling is the draft forum favourite. He has experience at LT and RT, has good size at 6'7", 315 and only surrendered 9 pressures total on the year. Not the best run blocking grades though.

Lomu is potentially undersized. He's listed at 6'6", 308 but I've seen him discussed as being sub 300lbs. Very athletic and strong in pass pro but not a lot of power as a run blocker. I also question his level of competition in the big 12. not many NFL level pass rushers there aside from Texas Tech - his worst game.

Tiernan - Great size at 6'7", 325lbs but reportedly very short arms at sub 33" which probably rules him out as an upgrade to Campbell.

There are two others of interest.

Blake Miller, Clemson
Max Iheanachor, Arizona State

Both have good size, excellent in Iheanachor's case at 6'5 1/2, 325 lbs, and long arms. both have good feet too to play LT. However, both only have experience at RT*.

*Edit: Blake Miller does have 100 career snaps at LT but that's all.

Thanks for the heads up list. I can't think of a better way to use the #31 draft pick than a college LT who can convert to LG and perhaps provide competition for Campbell.

If he gets beat out at LT (by a draftee or perhaps a FA LG) and he winds up shifting to LG, so be it.

While some would continue to beat the drum that expending the #4 draft pick on an LG is a wasted draft pick, those are the same people who never heard of John Hannah.

Some of these names that have experience at multiple OL positions I think will be looked at closely

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

I’m not sure there are any.
People talk about drafting someone like it’s just snapping your fingers. I won’t even get into draft details and say there is probably 1 LT prospect worthy of a top 60 pick, let alone the fact that we are picking #31, it’s gonna be a miracle if there are any worthy tackles available at all for the patriots to pick.

I'd like to see the best guard signed and use that 31st for the best player available

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Thanks for the heads up list. I can't think of a better way to use the #31 draft pick than a college LT who can convert to LG and perhaps provide competition for Campbell.

If he gets beat out at LT (by a draftee or perhaps a FA LG) and he winds up shifting to LG, so be it.

While some would continue to beat the drum that expending the #4 draft pick on an LG is a wasted draft pick, those are the same people who never heard of John Hannah.

Some of these names that have experience at multiple OL positions I think will be looked at closely

Basically we do what the chiefs did this past year. Do you go after the guy with great potential who can stay healthy or the guy who is steady eddy and will play most of the time? I'd go with the best guard and get this running game going. We could never run for short yardage

 

[UGAPatsfan]

Now that Vrabes came out so strongly in saying they aren’t moving Campbell (and interestingly specifically mentioned him getting in the weight room), in some ways it makes the draft easier. There are a LOT of quality LG options in this draft and quite a few swing tackle development options.

My gut says that a really good LG, moving Wilson to C , and drafting a physically dominant but rawish swing tackle prospect will help a lot. As will Campbell changing his body and getting a lot stronger.

Personally?

I’d also look to augment the defense to make it even nastier. Great defense can carry an awful lot of growing pains for a young offense.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Now that Vrabes came out so strongly in saying they aren’t moving Campbell (and interestingly specifically mentioned him getting in the weight room), in some ways it makes the draft easier. There are a LOT of quality LG options in this draft and quite a few swing tackle development options.

My gut says that a really good LG, moving Wilson to C , and drafting a physically dominant but rawish swing tackle prospect will help a lot. As will Campbell changing his body and getting a lot stronger.

Personally?

I’d also look to augment the defense to make it even nastier. Great defense can carry an awful lot of growing pains for a young offense.

This is the way im leaning too. Upgrade the LG spot and move wilson to center. I wouldn’t mind signing a top center as well but i have a feeling Vrabel is going to want to stick with Wilson and see if he progresses. Preferably yes , draft an ot prospect to compete with Bryant as the eventual successor to Moses

 

[JoeSixPat]

This is the way im leaning too. Upgrade the LG spot and move wilson to center. I wouldn’t mind signing a top center as well but i have a feeling Vrabel is going to want to stick with Wilson and see if he progresses. Preferably yes , draft an ot prospect to compete with Bryant as the eventual successor to Moses

That's right - I forgot Wilson played C in college. And he wouldn't be an undersized C either for that matter - just about average.

All of those moves sound pretty good. OL at #31 should be decent value - maybe an undersized LT that can play LG in the draft as that's going to be cheaper to find than as a free agent, but quality depth who can play multiple positions are essential to a contending team.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

This is the way im leaning too. Upgrade the LG spot and move wilson to center. I wouldn’t mind signing a top center as well but i have a feeling Vrabel is going to want to stick with Wilson and see if he progresses. Preferably yes , draft an ot prospect to compete with Bryant as the eventual successor to Moses

One word of caution on Wilson…he’s a good center BUT did have some spells at GA where he’d botch the snap a few times a game.

It came in spells then went away.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

- Free agent C (Linderbaum or McGovern)
- David Edwards at LG (would be funny as hell to steal Buffalo's starting C and G)
- Keep Onwenu, Campbell
- Leave Moses at RT to start the year but prep a replacement after a few weeks - either Bryant or a new player
- Ben Brown & Jared Wilson become capable backup C/Gs
- With a strong IOL, Maye will have space to step up into the pocket if Campbell or Moses/Bryant get beat on the edge
- Furthermore, a strong IOL will lead to better push in the run game

Your first 2 lines are a good idea on paper, but extremely costly.
I could easily see OG as our first pick in the draft.
Maybe Ioane slips, maybe Bisontis. Maybe Dunker as an OT covert with positional flexibility.
Again. good idea on the field, but not the most fiscally responsible so can't see it happening.

 

[Triumph]

Weaknesses​

• Struggles getting to his landmarks on lateral blocks.
• Pad level and hand placement create leverage disadvantages.
• Gets too far out over his skis and can be knocked off balance.
• Protections marked by inconsistent footwork and body control.
• Punch timing can be too mechanical and predictable.
• Allows inside pressure due to oversets and early openings.
• Struggles to redirect the rush when beaten on the edge.
• Speed-to-power can bounce him into the pocket.

Who am I?

 

[dliverey44]

What about hiring Jeff stoutland as our Oline coach ? Coach Marrone has really unraveled big time.

I am not a fan of Marone and voiced it when he was signed, but to say he is unraveling is crazy to me. How did you come to that conclusion?

 

[TheRainMaker]

Weaknesses​

• Struggles getting to his landmarks on lateral blocks.
• Pad level and hand placement create leverage disadvantages.
• Gets too far out over his skis and can be knocked off balance.
• Protections marked by inconsistent footwork and body control.
• Punch timing can be too mechanical and predictable.
• Allows inside pressure due to oversets and early openings.
• Struggles to redirect the rush when beaten on the edge.
• Speed-to-power can bounce him into the pocket.

Who am I?

Will Campbell. We'll see how he responds this offseason.

 

[50-yard-line]

Joel Bitonio is 34, has never sniffed a playoff run with Cleveland, can still play left guard at a high level, and is a free agent.

Plug him in to help Campbell. Let Wilson and Bradbury and Brown fight for Center/IOL all purpose.

And get a two-way (blocking and catching) tight end.

 

[Toofy]

I am not a fan of Marone and voiced it when he was signed, but to say he is unraveling is crazy to me. How did you come to that conclusion?

Just the oline being a shell of itself in playoffs and no adjustments. And if opposing teams can identify tendencies of run or pass based on our alignments , shouldn't we have fixed that or noticed it through our film study.

Against good defenses Maye just got sacked like crazy and no player showed a marked improvement outside of lowe whom we did not continue to play .

 

[Toofy]

What if we just go big and sign the best LG and center in free agency spending 40 million $ on the line

Campbell, D edwards, linderbaum, onwenu, Moses

There is no way any team can shoot through our gaps. Rham and maye design runs will be insane. Good luck with 4 front attacks.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

What if we just go big and sign the best LG and center in free agency spending 40 million $ on the line

Campbell, D edwards, linderbaum, onwenu, Moses

There is no way any team can shoot through our gaps. Rham and maye design runs will be insane. Good luck with 4 front attacks.

This is assuming a couple of things that are far from certain:
Continued improvement from Campbell
Continued good play from Moses who is aging rapidly.
Keeping Owenu, and keeping him
motivated.
Yes adding Edwards and Linder would be a huge boon, but our line would still have concerns that could be real, or maybe not.

 

[VrabelJr]

I’d really like to get Edwards. His price is right and it hurts a rival.

Also draft a Guard for competition and someone to push/replace Onwenu eventually.

I’ll try Wilson at Center for one season.

 

[Joey007]

Hit LG hard. Go find one in FA.

Center: I like the idea of letting Wilson sit for a year. I’d probably just stick with Bradbury for now, unless another vet looks like an upgrade.

RT: I’d stick with Moses, but spend a pick within the first two days on a potential RT of the future.

LT, stick with Campbell, hopefully can bring back Lowe or bring in another vet that can be a good reserve.

RG, stick with Onwenu. I know that pains many to say on here.

 

[Joey007]

I'd like to see the best guard signed and use that 31st for the best player available

Getting too many Cole Strange flashbacks when thinking about using a late 1st to reach on a guard.

Already drafted Campbell and Wilson last year. I’d just use an earlier pick on a potential RT this year.

 

[Pape]

in order of importance?

Right Tackle - Moses Morgan surprised me this year... he played the whole year, had no major injuries, which, after only playing 14 games in the prior two years, was great... but hes going to be 36... We Have To get a new guy on deck... Moses might be here next year, but wont be here in 2027, when he has an 8 million dollar cap hit...

Left Guard - Jared Wilson did okay this year... he's no Leon Gray, but is serviceable until we get someone better... we should be looking for an upgrade, especially if he is a potential replacement for Bradbury in the center spot...

Center - Bradbury is only an issue because it is the last year of his contract. Got to plan for the future, but can hold out for another year.

Right Guard - Mike Onwenu only becomes problematic at Right Guard if it is contract related. He had a good season this year.

Left Tackle - Unless injuries become an issue, Will Campbell is the Left Tackle for the next decade +

 

[FCB02062]

after watching all these videos and game film telling us what went wrong in the SB, one thing that struck me is How "small" Jared Wilson looks. Patriots list him at 6'3, 310 but he certainly doesn't look it. He doesn't look much bigger than Hannah, who was 6'2 and 265. Wilson has a small waist, small ass, and small things compared to other guards - compare him to Onwenu. They have Onwenu at 6,3, 350. He hasn't seen 350 in years. I'd be surprised if Wilson is much over 300. I think Wilson needs to put on some pounds. Have him hang out with Onwenu for the offseason; Wilson will come back 330+