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Inside the New England Patriots Draft Room: Who Will Join the Super Bowl Champions

By Shawn Spencer

Dec 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks the sidelines in the second half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks the sidelines in the second half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Patriots OT Draft
Jul 28, 2016; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots offensive tackle Marcus Cannon (61), guard Josh Kline (67) and tackle Nate Solder (77) take the field for training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

Offensive Tackles

After consistently being beat by Von Miller in the 2015 AFC Championship game, no one could have predicted Marcus Cannon would be signed to a five-year, $32.5 million extension before the 2016 season came to an end. A season-ending injury to Sebastian Vollmer and the return of offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia last season helped Cannon reach his full potential at right tackle.

Cannon’s deal doesn’t mean the Patriots won’t be drafting a tackle this season. In fact, this is one position the team desperately needs to add depth. The backups are currently Cameron Fleming and LaAdrian Waddle and starting left tackle Nate Solder is in the final year of his contract. Its possible Solder could return in 2018, but the two sides must come to an agreement. Solder has a clause in his contract that states the Patriots cannot tag him after this season.

Highly-valued skills:

weight, bench press, vertical, broad jump, short shuttle (96 graded)

1. Nick Callender (Colorado State) – 50%

2. Max Rich (Harvard) – 37.5%

2. Cam Robinson (Alabama) – 37.5%

4. Conor McDermott (UCLA) – 25%

4. Kwayde Miller (San Diego State) – 25%

4. Taylor Moton (Western Michigan) – 25%

7. Will Freeman (Southern Mississippi) – 12.5%

7. Kent Perkins (Texas) – 12.5%

7. Jylan Ware (Alabama State) – 12.5%

10. Andreas Knappe (Connecticut) – 6.2%

Fell below the minimum threshold in one category, but still finished with a positive score:

1. Cole Gardner (Eastern Michigan) – 31.2%

2. Casey Blaser (Duke) – 18.7%

2. Storm Norton (Toledo) – 18.7%

4. Dustin Stanton (Oregon State) – 12.5%

5. Garett Bolles (Utah) – 6.2%

5. Cole Croston (Iowa) – 6.2%

5. Sam Tevi (Utah) – 6.2%

One prospect on this list who compares favorably to Solder is 6-foot-8 Conor McDermott of UCLA. The two are nearly identical from a height/weight/speed standpoint, but McDermott is even longer with 34.75-inch arms. If the Patriots do select an offensive tackle in the 2017 NFL Draft, McDermott would be a solid addition.

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