Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - DeVante Parker is a New England Patriot; Patriots Draft Profiles — 4/3/22

Episode Date: April 5, 2022

The New England Patriots have acquired wide receiver DeVante Parker in a rare intra-divisional trade with the Miami Dolphins. Host Mike D’Abate welcomes Kevin Tame, Jr. of SI’s Patriots Country to... discuss the trade for DeVante Parker and profile the Patriots biggest needs in the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft.Find and follow Locked On Patriots on your favorite podcast platforms:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/locked-on-patriots-daily-podcast-on-the-new-england/id1140512627 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1c5ZxFmwg3WbfxAU3tR5Ve?si=k196wH-yRqifUcQQz8SjIQ Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/locked-on-patriots And follow host Mike D’Abate on Twitter, where he’ll be sharing the latest news about the New England Patriots and talking with fans.On Twitter: @mdabateNFLSupport Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Built BarBuilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKED15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order.BetOnlineBetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts!Rock AutoAmazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you.Athletic GreensTo make it easy, Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1 yearsupply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit athleticgreens.com/NFLNETWORK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript
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Starting point is 00:00:01 Patriots fans, the NFL draft of 2022 is less than one month away. Devontae Parker is now a Patriot, and there's an awful lot to talk about in Foxborough. I'm Mike DeBate, and you are about to be locked in to the Locked On Patriots podcast. You are Locked On Patriots, your daily New England Patriots podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your team, every day. Hello to all of you, Foxborough faithful, and thank you for once again making Locked On Patriots your first listen every day. Remember, Locked On Patriots is free and available on all platforms.
Starting point is 00:00:57 I'm your host, Mike DeBate. I cover your New England Patriots for Patriots Country of Sports Illustrated of Fan Nation. I am also your host of the locked on Patriots podcast, which of course is a proud part of the locked on podcast network, your team every day. And folks, because it's your team every day, that means your questions,
Starting point is 00:01:15 comments, and feedback are always welcomed. Very much appreciated. Reach out to me, interact with me. Let me know what's on your mind on Twitter at MDA, BAT, E NFL. And while you're out
Starting point is 00:01:26 there showing some weekend love to that twitterverse please be sure to follow the locked on patriots account as well at lo underscore patriots that's fans it's been a busy weekend in foxborough davante parker no longer a miami dolphin he is a new england patriot what does it mean for the new england patriots wide receivers. What does it mean for the New England Patriots wide receivers core? What does it mean for their strategy in the draft? Well, we're going to be talking some draft today here on the pod. And luckily for us, we've got one of the best and brightest stars in sports media, Patriots media anywhere that's been doing an amazing job covering the draft. I'm not just saying that because he's a colleague of mine, folks. I am absolutely 100% sure when I tell you that you will not find draft coverage, finer
Starting point is 00:02:10 draft coverage, anywhere in the civilized world. He is my good friend, a columnist and analyst extraordinaire of Patriots country, of Sports Illustrated's fan nation. My good friend, Kevin Tame Jr. joins me today here on the pod. Kevin, welcome to Locked On Patriots. Thanks for joining me here today, buddy. Hey, thank you so much for having me. It's an honor, my friend.
Starting point is 00:02:33 Absolute honor. Well, the honor is all mine, bud, and this is one I've been waiting for for quite a while. Folks, if you haven't had the opportunity to do so, please go check out Patriots Country, rebranded formerly patriots maven now patriots country on sports illustrated's fan nation site kevin has been doing an amazing job profiling several potential patriots fits for the draft he is also providing in my opinion the best local draft coverage that you'll find anywhere so many hidden gems in this draft coming from the new england area kevin has had
Starting point is 00:03:05 the opportunity not only to profile them but also speak to the one-on-one so folks if you haven't done so do it check it out right now you will not be disappointed you'll become a better football fan and you'll definitely be better prepared for the nfl draft but kev before we get into the draft because we are going to talk some draft today my friend Devante Parker this sent scintillating shock waves through the New England region on Saturday not a lot of people expected this one uh the intra-divisional nature of this trade was a little bit surprising I think it caught some people off guard uh the Patriots surrender a third round pick in 2023. They get back Parker and a fifth rounder in this upcoming draft in 2022, which could have implications for what the Patriots
Starting point is 00:03:51 might be willing to do heading into the draft. But let's talk Parker for just a second, because I know you have your finger on the pulse of this franchise as well as anyone that I know. This one to me makes sense to a certain extent. I like the addition of Parker. I think there's definitely a lot of athleticism. He provides that vertical presence on the perimeter that the Patriots have been looking for. He can win his matchups on the outside. He can win them down the field. He's had some issues creating separation lately, mostly because of the injury problems that he's had which forced him to miss a few games last season only suited up for 10 games in 2021 but at the same time there is a
Starting point is 00:04:32 lot of upside here what was your reaction to the Parker trade um in terms of value coming back to New England what they had to give up to get him and what do you think this means for the Patriots wide receivers core? Well, my first reaction, like most people was like, wait, what? Who? It was. In my mind, the Patriots were probably going to go for like the older veteran receiver. Like I wrote about A. about aj green as a possibility if you think back to a few years ago they brought guys in eric deca uh demarius thomas um different veterans that had good careers but then towards the end they come to the patriots they get that trial and training camp and just see what's left. So that's what I expected.
Starting point is 00:05:26 So to see a guy like Devante Parker get traded here was like, okay. I mean, he's 29. I think he has something in the tank. I find it fascinating that he was actually drafted the same year as Nelson Aguilar. They're like five picks apart. So if you really think about it, this team could have two first-round bottom receivers on offense this season, which the average fan has been questioning the receiving situation.
Starting point is 00:06:01 So that's one positive way to look at it. But like you just said, a negative could be the injuries he has had the shoulder problems the concussion the hamstring kind of nagging here and there but if he stays healthy I think it's a good trade I really do yeah I agree with you and look there's no question about it that Devontae is someone that has given the Patriots fits before. He's had a couple of hundred yard games against them. We know very well in terms of clinching games, big games, that Miami wanted to play spoiler for New England.
Starting point is 00:06:37 He really helped them do that on a couple of occasions. I believe it was either the 2015-2016 game where he ended up being a huge factor in that game to help the Miami Dolphins win that one. And then 2019, Tom Brady's final regular season game in New England really made that one memorable for all the wrong reasons, torching Stephon Gilmore for over 137 yards, as a matter of fact. So this is a guy that definitely knows how to play against the Patriots. And you know as well as I do, Bill Belichick loves to bring these guys in. People that are problems for him in the past. He doesn't want to have to game plan for these guys any longer.
Starting point is 00:07:18 He wants to bring them in, make them a part of the New England Patriots. So I think there is a shot for him to be able to do something special here in New England. If he can stay healthy, he definitely has the hands. He's got the ability to do it. If he is healthier and he has gotten past those hamstring issues, I think that'll go a long way in shoring up some of the problems he's had with creating separation, because that seems to be the knock on him right now. Fans that are not too happy with the trade are saying, well, he's got to get open. I think he will be able to if he has the right quarterback leading him, first of all, and I think Mac Jones is going to be that guy.
Starting point is 00:07:53 But second of all, I also think that he has to do a good job of rehabbing, getting healthy, and coming in here ready to work. And I think if he does that, Devontae Parker is going to be someone that Patriots fans are going to enjoy watching this season. Kevin, when it comes to Parker's impact on the wide receivers core, before we get into potential Patriots down the line and what that may mean for their plans now heading into the draft, the name Nakheel Harry keeps coming up. And you and I have had discussions on Nikhil several times I've been called a Nikhil Harry apologist but if you read if you read my weekend piece my Sunday
Starting point is 00:08:32 journal piece where I basically ran down the entire gauntlet of what the Patriots uh have now in terms of their wide receiver arsenal uh you can see that I've kind of played my final hand when it comes to being a Nikkeel Harry apologist. It really is very difficult to envision him in a uniform for much longer here in New England. I know you mentioned Aguilar earlier. Which receiver really benefits mostly from having Parker here now in New England? Do you think it's Jacoby Myers? So that way it takes pressure off of him to be that surefire yards after the catch because that's not really jacoby style or is there a situation
Starting point is 00:09:09 where really just kind of spells the end of a guy like agalor harry here in new england i think it's two things it could certainly spell the end of a har, but I also think somebody like Parker that could be a deep threat, stretch the field, open things underneath, it could help a Gallagher-Myers underneath, it could help the tight ends, even a James White. Any one of those guys
Starting point is 00:09:38 may have a better opportunity to have some success because if you think back to last season, well, actually the past couple of seasons, who was the Patriots' deep threat? There was not a defense out there that was scared like, oh, we got to come up with this guy. Nobody.
Starting point is 00:09:55 Now all of a sudden, you think back to the Randy Moss days. Obviously, he's not on the team, and nobody's at that caliber. But if you have a guy to get deep down the field draw a safety all of a sudden teams are going further back and it's opening up up front so like i said i think it's a combination right a combo deal yeah absolutely i completely agree with you and i think that's such a good point about really kind of blending the best of both worlds in terms of what parker can bring and again I think this is definitely a good move for the Patriots in terms of shoring up their wide receiver core is it the final move that they'll
Starting point is 00:10:33 make this offseason I don't think so I think there's still more to come and does that mean more free agents or does that mean dipping into the draft well folks you've been waiting for it and that's exactly what we're going to do in just a moment. Our resident draft guru here is going to give his opinion on who might be the best potential Patriots fits, both on defense and on offense. And we're going to discuss that in just a moment here on Locked On Patriots. But first, folks, you all know this is a great time to be a football fan. It's a great time to be a sports fan it's a great time to be a sports fan in general you want to talk about action college basketball's big game is coming up you've got major league baseball ready to start you've got nhl playoffs nba playoffs so much going on for all the latest odds contests
Starting point is 00:11:18 player props betonline.net is your number one source for all of your sports betting needs and information bet online remains the best spot for all of your sports betting needs and information. BetOnline remains the best spot for all of your sports scores, your podcasts, and news this season. And it's not just the main sports, folks. It's your continued source for all of your sporting wagering information needs, including live betting and even your favorite Vegas casino games. Head to the website today or use your mobile device to learn more about the trends and
Starting point is 00:11:45 the action that online where the game starts Patriots fans once again I am joined here by my colleague of Patriot Country of Sports Illustrated the great Kevin Tame Jr. joins me today and Kevin we talked a little bit about Devontae Parker in the first segment, but ultimately I think the biggest impact that the Patriots are going to make this offseason is going to be through the draft. This is a stacked draft in areas where the Patriots need help the most, whether it be at the linebacker position, whether it be a cornerback, whether it be offensive line at guard, even including wide receiver, we just talked about a few moments ago. These are some of the positions of need.
Starting point is 00:12:29 They say defense wins championships. We'll start on the defensive side of the ball, my friend. You have done some amazing work for SI Patriots in terms of breaking down not just good prospects for the NFL, but I think you've really done as good, if not better than anyone else I've read in terms of being able to identify who might be the best potential Patriots fits in Foxborough. In terms of defense, I know the big needs are cornerback and linebacker. Those are the two big positions, the glamour positions that people are looking at. But I leave it to you. Who are some of the best potential patriots that you've seen in terms of your coverage of the draft so far heading into uh the end of this month
Starting point is 00:13:14 well i've been on the kair elam train since about february nobody wanted to hear it. Everybody kind of just laughed at it or rolled their eyes like, how are you? But in my mind, just his body frame, his play style, the fact he's from Florida, that system, SEC player, everything about that just screams Bill Belichick. And I think what you're going to lose from J.C. Jackson in terms of playmaking ability
Starting point is 00:13:50 and just some speed at corner, he could replace. So I think the question is, is he a first round talent? Is he a day two guy? He could slip to day two, but he was phenomenal at the combine
Starting point is 00:14:08 everybody was head over heels he had a great pro day so he may have worked his way back up to round one but then it's a matter of what is belichick view is like the most important thing. Me and you can sit here right now and say, cornerback linebacker. Oh, they need this. And then here comes bill. He drops a center guard.
Starting point is 00:14:37 That's what, that's what bill does. Yeah. Rutgers usually is Rutgers Rutgers or Bama. That's, that's usually pretty safe. That's true, that's true. But if I go in cornerback, that's been my guy all along. I'm going to stick to it.
Starting point is 00:14:53 I feel like if you watch any of his highlights or any of his game film, he just – he has this knack. He's quick. He actually turns for the ball so they can fill the flag for pass interference. And he's always breaking up passes. To me, that's huge, especially with the way the AFC has so many good receivers now. They're all loaded up. Yeah, they really are. I mean, I love Elam. And one of the big reasons why I really have become such a fan of his, especially in this system, is because of the analysis that you've provided and reading a lot of what you wrote, a lot of the offline conversations that we've had for SI.
Starting point is 00:15:32 You've mentioned the great fit that he is. And look, I know a lot of people were saying that the signing of Malcolm Butler kind of signaled that the Patriots are going to be moving into more of a zone team. That seems to be the common consensus in bringing in someone like Malcolm because that's where his strength is. He's a very good zone corner, but it doesn't necessarily mean that's where the Patriots are going to go. They can't employ a guy that gives them the opportunity to be a zone team, but if you have the opportunity to get a guy like Elam, who can be that next level corner and someone as a rookie who you can now bring on maybe a little bit slower, maybe give him an opportunity to round
Starting point is 00:16:11 into that alpha role that I think he can play. He is an alpha corner. I mean, there's no question about it. This kid's tough. He's got bravado. He's got a lot of skill set when it comes to man coverage. This to me would be a no-brainer if he's there and I know a lot of people are going to probably roll their eyes a little bit but believe me when I tell you Kevin is definitely on to something go ahead and read his piece on Elam one of the better pieces that I've read in draft coverage because of the fact that he's outlining exactly where this kid can be effective for the New England Patriots and if you want a like for like well I shouldn't say like for like that's really not fair to Elam it really isn't And if you want a like for like, well, I shouldn't say like for like, that's really not fair to Elam. It really isn't. But if you want someone that can
Starting point is 00:16:48 come in and try to fill the shoes eventually of a JC Jackson, this kid is it. In terms of the bravado as well, wouldn't surprise me to see in another two or three years, if this kid's in a Patriots uniform, if he's looking to name his own Island, I think that this is something that, you know, he might be definitely on the hook to do. So great stuff on Elam, Kev. If the Patriots are going to look front seven, I know you've had your eye on a lot of different guys. You've profiled quite a few of them for SI. Who catches your sharp eye in terms of a potential Patriots fit on the front seven? I mean, Jordan Davis, that guy is going to be a beast.
Starting point is 00:17:26 He is a large, large human being. But in all seriousness, I said this back when I was talking about him. I just can't get out of my head. The size of that guy. He's like a Ford F-350 in a small parking lot. Like he's just a ford f-350 in a small parking lot like he's just a massive dude yeah so it really is you put it next to christian barmore that run defense is gonna be great oh absolutely yeah i mean yeah and i know that uh you know uh very uh very shortly uh kevin has a uh great
Starting point is 00:18:01 piece coming up for uhots Country at Sports Illustrated about pairing Jordan Davis and Christian Barmore. And the type of fear that may put into opposing offenses, it would look great. And you know Bill Belichick would be salivating at something like that. Davis's performance at the Combine may price him out of 21. We're not completely sure if he's going to be there. But, you know, Kev, we're seeing a lot of mock drafts that are showing that maybe he will be there, that team's needs are really kind of getting very, you know, they're getting different in other words. I mean, they're really,
Starting point is 00:18:33 they're, they're changing by the moment because of the landscape, the way the moves that other teams are making. All of a sudden now the Patriots find themselves maybe in need for a little bit, even more speed on the defensive side of the ball with some of the fast offenses they're going to be facing but a guy like Jordan Davis is tremendous and I like him as well so folks again continue to follow Kevin and the great work that he's doing in terms of draft outlines and he's told you about the cornerback position he's told you about the front seven but I know you're clamoring for some offensive talk and we're going to give that to you folks in just a moment as Kevin Tameain jr of sports illustrated gives us his thoughts on potential patriots fits optimal patriots fits for the new pats offense but first the draft is less
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Starting point is 00:20:54 need. RockAuto.com Patriots fans, it has been a blast here today on Locked On Patriots, talking to my good friend and colleague Kevin Tame of Patriots Country of Sports my good friend and colleague, Kevin Tame, of Patriots Country of Sports Illustrated. Follow him on the Bird app, at Kevin underscore Tame. He has done a tremendous job outlining potential Patriots coming up in the draft.
Starting point is 00:21:18 He's even given us his wisdom and counsel on Devontae Parker. A man can do it all. Just follow him and you'll be a better football fan. I promise you that. Kev, you've definitely enlightened us in terms of what we should be looking out for when it comes to the upcoming 2022 NFL draft on the defensive side of the ball. I think if the Patriots are going to make a splash, it's going to be a corner or it's going to be one of the big name defenders. You mentioned Jordan Davis.
Starting point is 00:21:39 You mentioned Kier Elam. These are players that could make an impact on the New England Patriots, but we've heard a lot of the fan base clamoring for a big-time wideout with that number 21 pick. We've heard Jamison Williams. We've heard Chris Olave. I've gone over and over on Chris and his route running ability and how I'd love to see him in a New England Patriots uniform. There's a lot of guys that the Patriots would like to see here. We've heard Johan Dotson coming from Penn State. A lot of different players that the Patriots fans have had their eye on, but Devontae Parker's acquisition kind of made me hesitate a little bit about whether or not the Patriots are going to be willing now to spend first-round
Starting point is 00:22:22 draft capital on a wideout when they've got holes at offensive guard, they've got holes at cornerback, they've got holes at defensive, you know, there's a lot of areas that needed to be filled on this team. And maybe now wide receiver might not be one of them, but you do a better job, like I said, of being able to identify what the Patriots need based on their in the moment, basically what they're going to need at this time. Based on what you now know from the Parker trade, have your thoughts changed at all about what the Patriots may do in this upcoming draft? And if so, or if not, how do you see them approaching the offensive side of the ball
Starting point is 00:23:02 when it comes to this month's draft? My thoughts have changed see if we're talking two three more because like you mentioned earlier this is a deep draft in a lot of positions. Thanks to COVID, everybody got that extra year of eligibility. So you can find some top talent later on. It doesn't have to be the first round. So I know I'm supposed to sit here and talk about John Mechie. Everybody, you can go to the grocery store, the gas station, go to the bar, drink some beers with your friends, and people are like, oh, John Meche.
Starting point is 00:23:49 And I get it. He's a good player. He's a good player. He is. But I kind of look other directions with the mindset of, but is Bill going to do that? We want that, but does Bill going to do that? We want that but does Bill? So I have a name from a big time school
Starting point is 00:24:08 probably not round one but if Bill can somehow get him round two or maybe even trade up a couple slots to get him and that's a kid out of Georgia George Pickens. He can play. He really can.
Starting point is 00:24:27 Yeah, he can. I kind of look at him like, okay, 6'3", buck 95. He plays with some good physicality. I don't want to say this because I make fun of the cute Harry, but Pickens is a good blocking receiver. Don't let that sour you on blocking receivers that's a good that's a good trait to have if you're a patriot it's a good it's a good trait but it drives me nuts when people try so hard to defend harry it's like oh he's a blocker like in the first round like get that kid at walmart i've done it i've done
Starting point is 00:25:04 it believe me it's not an easy battle i've died on that hill several times you know very very ugly I don't know. Get that kid at Walmart. I've done it. I've done it. Believe me. It's not an easy battle. I've died on that hill several times. Very, very ugly. I've tried to carry the load, but I agree with you. I do. In a lot of respects, I do. But with Pickens, the kid can fly.
Starting point is 00:25:19 He ran like a 4-4-7. So he can do a lot of things that Devontae Parker is going to do, but obviously he's got to be like five, six years younger. So it could be one of those things where it's a little more long-term. Like, do you see Bill taking a wide receiver and just throwing him out there? I don't. It might take a year. It might be like, all right, some snaps here and there.
Starting point is 00:25:45 So maybe by like 2023, he starts to shine or even further out. But someone like Pickens, to me, that would be a solid pick. I like Pickens. And, again, a lot of the prowess that I've developed in terms of, or I should say a lot of the knowledge, not prowess. That's a little bit arrogant, folks, And I didn't mean it that way. A lot of the knowledge that I've amassed when it comes to Georgia has been from this man right here.
Starting point is 00:26:10 But also I want to give a shout out to my guy, Andrew Carraway, got Carraway six, who does a lot of mock draft submissions here on locked on Patriots. Andrew was a Georgia guy and he absolutely loves his bulldogs and sends me stuff all the time. Check this guy out. Check that guy out. Pickens is one of the guys that he's been definitely telling me to check out for a while and the thing that makes me uh not be so reticent uh to compare him to harry is that i think in a lot of ways this kid
Starting point is 00:26:34 is a much superior route runner like you said yeah i mean i really love the way he attacks leverage and man coverage this is something that nikhil for any reason he and Nikhil did this in Arizona State that's what you know kind of drives me crazy sometimes about this is I saw so much potential in his college film but it just hasn't translated here to New England maybe it's a fit thing maybe it's just the pros but whatever you know what we're going to talk about the future we're not going to dwell on the past and if the Patriots do decide to go with someone like Thickens here that could be a good move for them because again I really I think he has the ability to run that route tree but he also
Starting point is 00:27:10 shows the ability to track the ball through the air I like that he can follow it he's not going to get lost in the past and he can go up and make that contested catch and that to me could make him a very good fit here in Foxborough even in in the red zone, big time in the red zone. Absolutely. Good point. And I'm glad that you mentioned that because if there's one thing that this team consistently does struggle, they did a better job of it in 2021, but still not enough. They're still not attacking the red zone the way they need to. To me, I think guys like John Smithhunter, Henry stepping up this year, maybe getting Jacoby Myers more involved, but maybe having that young wide receiver that can be a red zone threat will help to take a lot of pressure off of those guys.
Starting point is 00:27:50 Kev, before I let you go here today, guard seems to be the position of the day for those in the know. When you talk about potential Patriots that could end up being a fit here in New England through the draft, offensive line is always something that Bill keeps a sharp eye on. I know there's a groundswell now that Bill may be looking at offensive linemen possibly to fill that void in the first round of the NFL draft. I still think that's going to be too early. I don't want to panic the crowd here that's listening to this. But is there anybody right now that you're tracking along the offensive line that not necessarily like an impact, like a, you know, it could be, but somebody even like in the middle rounds or anything, is there anybody that you're looking at right now on the offensive line that
Starting point is 00:28:40 you say, you know what, this kid really could be a good potential Patriot here. I think Cole Strange could be a solid pick. He's got that versatility. He moves all over the line. A little bit center, a little bit guard, a little bit tackle, wherever they need him. He tested
Starting point is 00:28:59 real well. He's not from a big school. We both know that if there's any coach or GM out there that's going to find that player from a smaller school, it's Belichick. Right. So I could see if the things fall into place, I could see Coach Strange get an opportunity to get drafted here. It would be a good pick.
Starting point is 00:29:22 Yeah, I think it would be a good pick too. Look, I mean, this kid's got definite. He's got good power. get drafted here it'd be a good pick yeah i think it would be a good pick too look i mean this guy this kid's got definite he's got good power he's got the ability to work all over the i mean he projects on the interior uh there's you know a time where he could slot out into a tackle if he needed to play a swing role but naturally i mean a kid like this coming in from chattanooga he's going to be an interior and that's i think what the patriots are looking for in terms of swing reserve linemen they love guys that are versatile. David Andrews is not getting any younger.
Starting point is 00:29:48 I love David. I hope he plays here as long as he possibly can and what he's been through and giving him the opportunity to come back from a horrific injury just a few years ago and still continue to be a captain. I love David to death, and he's one of my favorite players to cover here in New England. But you have to be realistic, and you have to start looking at the fact that these guys are going to start getting older, and you're going to need guys that can slot in. And Ted Karras last year helped to fill a lot of voids on this team.
Starting point is 00:30:16 He was a backup center if Andrews went down, played that position. He slotted in and played a phenomenal left guard guard and it parlayed him into a great contract with the Cincinnati Bengals so you don't have Teddy this year and who are you going to bring in that's going to be able to be versatile enough Justin Heron I think is a solid reserve guy but he's primarily a tackle he's not going to be a good guard he really doesn't play center Yannick just just hasn't really rounded into the player. We all thought he could be when they drafted him. So I like strange and I think he's going to be a good fit. I think he definitely can be someone that the Patriots will keep an eye on.
Starting point is 00:30:52 And again, folks, this is the type of draft coverage that you can count on only from Kevin Tame Jr. at Sports Illustrated Patriots country. Definitely check out his stuff and his appearance here on lockdown today has definitely told you why he's got his eye on guys that not necessarily are the media darlings, but they're people that will end up being potential good Patriot fits. And at the end of the day,
Starting point is 00:31:13 that's exactly what Bill Belichick does. He dances to the beat of his own drum and who knows, I think he might have a sharp eye on what Kevin's doing. I think he's got, I think he's got some of those draft profiles hidden somewhere at the offices of one Patriots place. Well hope so well we'll definitely see when you know what when we're there this summer covering training camp we'll take a look and see if we can find what we can find but all kidding aside folks he is kevin tame jr he is my colleague he is my good friend but
Starting point is 00:31:40 he is a great draft analyst and a phenomenal Patriots analyst so please by all means follow him on the bird app as my good friend and predecessor Mark Schofield would say at Kevin underscore team follow all of his great work at Patriots country now folks no longer Patriots Maven we are Patriots country at Sports Illustrated powered by Fan Nation Kev before I let you go today please let all of our fans know. We've told them where they can find you, but please let all of our fans know what they can expect in the coming days and weeks leading up to the NFL draft from the great pen of Kevin Tame Jr.
Starting point is 00:32:16 So leading up to the draft, I've lined up a couple more local prospect interviews. Colby Tippett out of URI. He's a fascinating prospect, not even because of his father, Andre, but that's obviously awesome. But the dude could fly. Great kid. A lot of potential. I actually went to his pro day at Bryant at bryant so i got some uh
Starting point is 00:32:48 some videos coming up i'll keep banging out these prospect profiles i mean what is it now april 3rd rodeo a couple weeks away so yep as you said follow me at Kevin underscore tame. And real quick, I do want to give one shout out. Our good friend and colleague Arnav, he put out an article on Drake London, wide receiver at USC. I thought about it, but I don't want to stay with Thunder, but that kid can play as well. Yeah, absolutely. I keep hearing the keel 2.0 when it comes to Drake London folks, definitely check out Arnav's piece and check out some of the film that you
Starting point is 00:33:32 can. His stuff is out on YouTube. You can check out, the fans can check out stuff while you're checking out us on YouTube right afterwards, you know, Google the name and definitely take a look at some of what he can do and what he has done at USC. Great young prospect. Who knows? Maybe a future potential Patriot. Kev, thank you so much for shouting out our good friend and colleague Arnav Sharma. You can follow him on Twitter at Arnav Sharma NFL. Definitely another great prospect analyst for you in terms of the great coverage that we love to try to provide at Patriots country of sports illustrated,
Starting point is 00:34:05 especially coming from fan nation. Kev, what can I say? We thank you so much for joining us here today on locked on Patriots. We had so much fun. We're definitely going to do this again before the draft, because you're going to need more Kevin's wisdom and counsel as the draft approaches on April 28th.
Starting point is 00:34:21 In the meantime, folks, thank you once again for making lockeded On Patriots a daily part of your New England Patriots coverage, and of course, always making it your first listen every day. Follow the Locked On Patriots account, and definitely download, subscribe to, and follow the Locked On
Starting point is 00:34:36 Patriots podcast on platforms such as Spotify, the Odyssey app, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcasts, stay locked into Locked On Patriots, and check us out on YouTube. app, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcasts. Stay locked into Locked on Patriots and check us out on YouTube. Smash that subscribe button if you haven't already done so. I'm Micah DeBate.
Starting point is 00:34:57 I thank my good friend Kevin Tame of Sports Illustrated for his time, his insight, and his wisdom and counsel on today's pod. But again, I thank you for joining us here today. Until tomorrow, Foxborough faithful, stay safe, stay well, be the change that you wish to see in the world. Have a great day, everyone.

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