The Underwear Olympics is in the bag now. March 9th the legal tampering period of Free Agency starts. Also the Pro Day circuit starts today, March 2nd at Ball State.Offensive LineThis Day belongs to the Big Uglies, the Offensive Lineman.The Patriots need Offensive line help, as does every team in the league. The Good players will go fast as evident of the last few drafts. Two years ago, Eliot Wolf and the Patriots got caught with their pants down and were not prepared for the run on Offensive Tackles, especially Left Tackles. Last year, they selected Will Campbell to solve that problem. He had a good season until he got hurt and wasn’t the same player after the injury. During the Playoffs he got exposed against good defenses and excellent pass rushers.It’s well documented that playing two rookies next to each other is a recipe for disaster. Jared Wilson is not an NFL caliber Left Guard. That is one hole that needs to be fixed. I am hoping that can be done during Free Agency. The next issue is that backup Left Tackles Vederian Lowe and Thayer Munford are both Free Agents. Marcus Bryant, a 7th round pick last year, played LT in college but was the backup RT and didn’t dress the last 8 weeks as the Patriots chose to have Munford dress because he can play both Tackle spots. The last issue is Morgan Moses’ age. He played 21 games as a 34-year-old vet. He is expected back next year, but you can’t expect him to play all year.Tackles There were few surprises, especially the speed of two Offensive Tackles.I highlighted OT Max Iheanchor, Arizona State in my initial Mock Draft as a 4th Round selection. I also stated at the time that I thought he would go much higher. In my 2nd Mock, I took Left Tackle Kadyn Proctor. Proctor will go in the 1st round. Iheanchor ran a 4.91 40 (2) at 6’6” 321lbs., 33 3/8” Arms, 9” Hands. If the Patriots want Iheanchor they may have to take him in the 1st round. The important stat is the 10-yard split time, indicating how fast they are out of their stance and up to speed. His 10-yard split was 1.73, 4th best. I wouldn’t take the chance, and I would take him at 31 and let him learn under Moses for a year.The other tackle that put on a show was Spencer Fano, Utah 4.91 40 (2), 1.72 10/Split, 6’ 5 1/2’’, 311 lbs, 32 1/8’’ Arms, 9’’, Hand. He is a very personable fellow, and it came out during the combine drills. He is also a Right Tackle and should go ahead of Iheanachor.Monroe Freeling, Georgia – 4.93 40, 1.71 10/Split, 6’ 7’’, 315 lbs, 34 3/4’’ Arm, 10 3/4’’ Hand. Freeling a Left Tackle had an up and down season at Georgia as reflected by his 71.2 PFF Grade which was 80th amongst College Tackles. His Athleticism showed up at the Combine. It’s the game film that will make the difference with the NFL Teams.Caleb Lomu, Utah – 4.99 40, 1.74 10/Split, 6’ 6’’, 313 lbs, 33 3/8’’ Arm, 9 1/2’’ Hand. He is the number 3-ranked left tackle, and he should go in the late 1st round. He ran well and looked smooth in the on-field drills.Gennings Dunker, Iowa – 5.18 40, 1.84 10/Split, 6’ 5’’, 319 lbs, 33 1/2’’ Arms, 10’’ Hand. He of the flowing red mullett was hard to miss. His timed run was excellent, but his 10-yard split was a little slow. His value is that he has played all 5 positions on the Offensive line. I think his best position will be at Guard. Generates violent movement at the point of attack with exceptional leg drive and upper-body torque that consistently displaces defenders in the run game. This is what NFL Draft Buzz stated about Dunker: “Once his hands land clean, defenders are locked in place; his grip strength and ability to steer blocks are among the best in this class. Plays with a nasty disposition that shows up every snap; finishes blocks with bad intentions and keeps grinding well after the whistle.” He should be on the Patriots’ radar.Markell Bell, Miami – 5.3 40, 1.38 10/Split, 6’ 9’’ 346 lbs, 36 3/8’’ Arm, 9’’ Hand. His speed numbers aren’t great but he is such a big man. His college coach called him “Skyscraper” because he blocks out the sun. He has been compared to former Patriot Trent Brown and will get drafted. He is a project for some team to develop.Amil Wagner, Notre Dame – 5.01 40 (5) 1.79 10/Spilt, 6’ 6’’, 306 lbs, 34 1/2’’, 10 1/4’’ Hand. He had a great week at the East-West Shrine game practices and forced evaluators to take a second look at him. He started two years at Right Tackle for Notre Dame. He is a little light for Tackle and may need to be moved inside.JC Davis, Illinois – 5.16 40, 1.78 10/Split 6’ 4’’, 322 lbs, 34 1/4’’ Arm, 10 1/8’’ Hand. Davis is a Left Tackle, but I would look to move him inside to Left Guard because of his height. He was a 2x 1st Team All Mountain West and 1x All Big Ten 1st team. In his career, he has 48 starts at Left Tackle.Jude Bowry, Boston College – 5.08 40, 1.75 10/Split, 6’ 5’’, 314 lbs, 33 3/4’’, 10 3/4’’ Hand. After a disastrous East-West Shrine week of practices. it was nice to see Bowry bounce back with impressive running today. He was asked to play Right Tackle after strictly playing at Left Tackle for 4 years at BC. Some players can’t make that switch. He is a little light for Tackle, and I see him as another player who would benefit from moving into a Left Guard spot.GuardsI am not looking for a Guard but looking for a Left Tackle to move into Guard.Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M – 5.02 40,1.76 10/Split, 6’ 5’’, 315 lbs, 31 3/4’’ Arm, 9 3/4’’ Hand. Bisontis is the most Pro ready Guard in the draft. I don’t expect that he will be taken in the 1st round. It’s a down year for Guards in the draft.DJ Campbell, Texas – 5.01 40, 1.76 10/Split, 6’ 3’’, 313 lbs, 34 1/4’’ Arm, 10 1/4’’ Hand. A stout Guard ran better than expected and could offer a team an upgrade on their line. A team like Cleveland, which could lose both starting Guards, might be interested.Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech – 5.05 40, 1.81 10/Split, 6’ 4’’, 316 lbs, 33 1/4’’ Arm, 10’’ Hand. Rutledge is a very good Run Blocker. Rutledge was a back-to-back All-American at Guard. His 40 was good, but the 10-yard split was disappointing.Jalen Farmer, Kentucky – 4.93 40 (3), 1.75 10/Split, 6’ 5’’, 312 lbs, 34 1/4’’ Arm, 9 1/4’’ Hand. I didn’t know much about Farmer coming into the combine because I haven’t been scouting Guards. NFL Draft Buzz has this to say about Framer: “Plays with a violent temperament and real finishing mentality; he wants to bury defenders and rarely lets up once he’s latched onto a body. Impressive length at 34.5-inch arms allows him to control the point of attack and create a wide sphere of influence in both phases.” His speed is what drew my attention today.CentersLogan Jones, Iowa – 4.90 40(1), 1.75 10/Split, 6’ 3’’, 299 lbs, 30 3/4’’, 9 1/2’’ Hand. The #1 Center on the board ran fast. He is a little underweight and may have trouble holding up against NFL linemen.Jake Slaughter, Florida – 5.1 40, 1.74 10/Split, 6’ 5’’, 303 lbs, 32 3/8’’ Arm, 10’’ Hand. Slaughter attained All-American honors in 2024 and 2025. He is one of the highest-rated centers in the draft, and he received many accolades for his performance at the Senior Bowl practices.Parker Brailsford, Alabama – 4.95 40, 1.70 (1) 10/Split, 6’ 2’’, 289 lbs, 32’’, 9 1/2’’ Hand. Brailsford ran fast, and he was shot out of a cannon with a 1.7 10/ Split. He will have scouts going back and reviewing the tapes of the games and bowl games.Sam Hecht, Kansas State – 5.1 40, 1.73 10/ Split, 6’ 4’’, 303 lbs, 31 5/8’’ Arm, 9 7/8’’ hand. Hecht made the Big 12 All-Academic 1st team in 2022 and 2023, carrying a 4.0 GPA. Then in 2024, he made 2nd Team All-Big 12 in football and 1st team in 2025. Hecht impressed at the East-West Shrine practices, which earned him a late call to the Senior Bowl game.
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About Mark MorseMerrimack Valley native and lifelong fan of the New England Patriots. My earliest memories of the Patriots were attending as a child with my dad, the off-season practice at Phillips Academy. I was at the Patriots game at Harvard Stadium in 1970 where Bob “Harpo” Gladieux was called out of the stands by the stadium announcer over the PA to play in the game. Analyzing the draft since ESPN first started to televise it in 1980 and former writer for the Lowell Sun Newspaper.View all posts by Mark Morse
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