The New England Patriots spent a first-round pick on an offensive tackle last offseason, and they could do so again this year.
The Patriots selected Will Campbell in the first round of last year's NFL Draft. He had a solid rookie season, with some ups and downs. He dealt with a knee injury late in the year, and the Patriots have committed to keeping him at left tackle. They also invested in the offensive line some more by signing Alijah Vera-Tucker, presumably to play left guard.
The offensive line seems to be set in terms of starters, so drafting a lineman in the first round could be seen as a waste. However, Patriots insider Evan Lazar predicted the team would select University of Clemson offensive tackle, Blake Miller.
"New England needs to start prepping for life after Moses and its tackle depth behind Moses and starting LT Will Campbell is thin," wrote Lazar. "The draft is also much deeper at immediate positions of need (EDGE) but extremely shallow at tackle. If the goal is to get Moses's replacement in-house this offseason, it's hard to envision doing that without using the 31st overall pick on his successor."
Lazar's argument for drafting Miller makes plenty of sense when looking at the future of the offensive line. Moses is 35 years old and is nearing the end of his career. Maye is the franchise quarterback, and protecting him is a priority. Miller may not play right away, but sitting a year behind Moses could set him up to be a dominant right tackle in the future.
Miller has played 54 college football games and holds the university record for plays from scrimmage. He was a First-Team All-ACC selection in each of the last two seasons. He checked in at 6-foot-7, 317 pounds at the NFL Combine and ranked first among offensive tackles in athleticism score. He has the tools to be a success in the NFL, and a year sitting behind a veteran could allow him to clean up some things and be even better.
Even though fans may want the Patriots to use their first-round pick on a player who can make an immediate impact, it makes sense to pick a player like Miller. This draft is plenty deep enough to find instant difference makers in the second and third rounds.
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