Kansas City’s offensive line may have been co-MVPs with Patrick Mahomes after the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win.
Holding the Eagles, the primary crew in Super Bowl historical past to carry a 70-sack cross rush into the sport, with no sack was enormous, particularly with a quarterback who was enjoying with an ankle damage.
It wasn’t an accident. The Chiefs had allowed the fewest sacks of any AFC crew (26) and the third-fewest within the league.
As the offensive line goes, so goes any NFL offense.
That brings us to the Patriots. Last season, the offensive line struggled. By extension, so did quarterback Mac Jones.
The largest issues got here on the deal with place with Trent Brown and Isaiah Wynn each having issue. And with Wynn, Yodny Cajuste and Marcus Cannon approaching free company, deal with is a large offseason precedence. Even although the crew re-signed pending free agent Conor McDermott, they nonetheless must shore up the place.
Fortunately for the Patriots, there’s fairly a couple of plug-and-play prospects within the NFL Draft. And sitting at 14th general, Bill Belichick ought to have a couple of choices if the Pats go that route.
Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
A 3-year starter at left deal with who is taken into account essentially the most NFL-ready lineman within the class, Skoronski can be a dream at No. 14.
According to Pro Football Focus, Skoronski allowed simply six pressures on 474 pass-blocking snaps this previous season, which is other-worldly.
The one bugaboo has to do together with his arm size, and whether or not that may hinder the 2022 AP All-American on the subsequent degree. But having shorter arms by no means bothered Patriots Hall of Famer Matt Light, who was an All-Pro and a part of three Super Bowl championships.
Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
The former five-star recruit may not fall so far as No. 14, however stranger issues have occurred on draft day.
The Buckeye, who’s a mammoth 6-foot-6, 310 kilos, began at each proper guard and left deal with. Given his dimension, size and athleticism, he appears extra like a prototypical deal with.
According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed simply 10 pressures all season. He initiatives to be a starter for a few years to come back.
Whether he begins out at proper deal with subsequent to Mike Onwenu, or heads to left deal with instantly, the place he’s a traditional match, he figures to make offensive line coach Adrian Klemm’s life a bit of simpler.
Broderick Jones, Georgia
At 6-foot-4, 310 kilos, he’s constructed like a block of granite. He’s additionally an athletic deal with who has been a grasp at transferring defensive ends and linemen wherever he pleases.
He’s a dynamic blocker who may bounce in instantly, and assist get the Patriots offensive line again on monitor.
He performed in each sport of Georgia’s back-to-back nationwide championship seasons, beginning all 15 video games in 2022.
He’s one other who may not final to No. 14, but when he’s nonetheless there, it’s a no brainer to take him, assuming the Patriots don’t land a high deal with in free company.
Anton Harrison, Oklahoma
He’s 6-foot-5, 315 kilos, and strikes with with swiftness and fluidity of an NBA participant in line with some evaluators.
He excels in cross safety and that potential to maneuver units him up properly to play both deal with place. The three-year starter started his profession enjoying on the blindside, however switched to proper deal with in 2022.
He wants some work as a run blocker, however the general package deal can be laborious for groups to disregard. He additionally performs with a imply streak, which might go well with the Patriots, or any crew. Scouts consider he has a really excessive ceiling.
Dawand Jones, Ohio State
Like Trent Brown, he stands at 6-foot-8, and at 375 kilos, is definitely a bit of heavier than the Patriots deal with.
Whatever the burden, Jones is a beast.
His arm size (36 ⅝ inches) and wingspan (89.5 inches), measured lately on the Senior Bowl, trump Brown’s (36/87.3). In reality, no participant in Senior Bowl historical past has ever had an extended wingspan than Jones.
He was dominant throughout the first day of Senior Bowl practices. There are some points with footwork, however his enormous body, lengthy arms and monster wingspan may very effectively land him within the first spherical.
Source: www.bostonherald.com