Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - New England Patriots Upgrading O-Line,: Adrian Klemm, Peter Skoronski and Mock Draft Monday

Starting point is 00:00:00 Northwestern's Peter Skowronski has the chance to be the next great tackle for the New England Patriots. And that's just the start. Stick around. You're about to be locked in to Mock Draft Monday on 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,

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Starting point is 00:01:33 I'm your host, Mike DeBate. I cover your New England Patriots for Patriots Country of Sports Illustrated. Let me know what's on your mind. Reach out to me on Twitter at MDABATENFL. And while you're out there showing some love to the Twitterverse, please be sure to follow the Locked On Patriots account as well at L-O underscore

Starting point is 00:01:51 Patriots. And Pats fans, it is Mock Draft Monday. Mock Draft's back year on Locked On Patriots and of course if it's Mock Draft Monday, it's also hashtag Locked On Murph Monday. My good friend the Count of, Fisto himself, the legendary Thomas Murphy, will be joining me here in just a moment as we break down two amazing mock drafts to kick off the season.

Starting point is 00:02:15 Folks, you are not going to want to miss these, including a draft that puts Northwestern's offensive tackle, Peter Skowronski, in the crosshairs as the patriots top target i think he's on to something we're going to find out what murph thinks you know he loves talking about big round men up front and that's exactly what we're going to do today and it also is something that lends us quite nicely into the news of the day for the new england patriots that's welcoming back another familiar face to help restore that order that they need to their fledgling offense. And that means a Monday morning report from ESPN, Pete Thamel all over this, indicating that University of Oregon assistant coach and former New England Patriot Adrian Clem

Starting point is 00:02:58 has indeed agreed to join the Patriots offensive coaching staff, and he'll be back in the Foxborough fall this year now it's yet to be confirmed by the team folks whether or not Adrian is officially taking on the role of the offensive line coach but all signs seem to be pointing in that direction can't imagine him really doing anything else here on the staff other than doing that he'll probably have some additional responsibilities but that's going to be his primary. And we all know last year, the role held by Matt Patricia, not really a great season for the Pats offensive line. Adrian's got his work cut out for them, but he is the guy to do it, but no question about it. Adrian now becomes the third new coach added to the Pats offensive staff this season, joining, of course, Bill O'Brien, who was hired as the offensive coordinator a couple of weeks ago.

Starting point is 00:03:48 And recent signing offensive assistant Will Lying. Lying comes in having worked with Bill O'Brien for a number of years at Penn State, in Houston with the Texans, and then, of course, with the University of Alabama. He's looking likely to be the tight ends coach this season. Got a lot of experience working with tight ends. Since he first broke in at Juanita College in 2009, he coached the tight ends there. Also helped to coach the tight ends in Houston with Bill O'Brien as well.

Starting point is 00:04:18 Yeah, folks, that means that the Patriots are in need of a new offense, excuse me, a new tight ends coach. And that's because Nick Caley is on his way to Tinseltown he is also headed out of Foxborough he will be now the new tight ends coach for Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams so a lot of moving parts here for the Patriots coaching staff but Clem is definitely a guy that the Patriots wanted. There's no question about it. Had the virtual interview, interviewed for the offensive coordinator position. It did end up going to Bill O'Brien, but the Patriots were very impressed by Clem.

Starting point is 00:04:54 They really liked the prowess that he showed in coordinating Oregon's run blocking schemes last year and also his ability to coordinate pass protection as well in the offensive line. That really was enough to impress the Patriots to bring him back for a second interview, which they did when the Pats coaching staff was in Las Vegas last week for the Shrine Bowl. And Clem is no stranger to the Patriots organization, or Bill Belichick. Played his college football at the University of Hawaii, and he was selected by the team in the second round. The 46th overall pick of the 2000 NFL draft was Bill Belichick's first ever draft pick. So Adrian Clem coming home, big move for him, big move for the Patriots,

Starting point is 00:05:36 because they will definitely get a standout athlete at the position, a guy that knows the ropes of playing offensive line here in New England, and someone who had really, I think, the beginning of a very good career. Unfortunately, a lot of it was held back by injury, but Adrian is definitely someone that has come in and done a great job coordinating a lot of offenses and really a lot of offensive lines throughout his career, whether it be at the University of Oregon, whether it be at UCLA, or of course with the Pittsburgh Steelers

Starting point is 00:06:04 and the NFL as well, he is the right man in the Pats' estimation to fix their struggling offensive line. Now, this is not going to come without a cost. Reportedly, Adrian was making close, or if maybe even in excess, we're not sure the exact amount, but in or around the ballpark of $1 million per season. You have to think that the Patriots upped the ante a little bit in order to get him in Foxborough. And indications were last week that this may have been off the table. We heard information from the Oregon camp that they didn't expect any changes to their coaching staff.

Starting point is 00:06:40 Looked like Adrian was going to stay put, but apparently the Patriots were so impressed by him that they circled back, made one more push, and they were able to get their guy. And he's got his work cut out for them. The Patriots definitely underachieved on the offensive line in 2022. Trent Brown, Cole Strange, David Andrews, Michael Wainu, all coming back under contract for 2023. Of course, Isaiah Wynn is the big free agent out there. I don't expect him back, but stranger things have happened. We'll wait and see when free agency starts, folks. But ultimately, the Patriots are going to have to decide on bringing back some of the reserve pieces that they have. Guys like Connor McDermott, James Ferentz, and don't forget Yanni Kajust, who

Starting point is 00:07:21 is a restricted free agent as well. So good hire for the Patriots. He will be the guy. Now, will Adrian Clem be coaching a stout stud rookie offensive tackle? Well, according to one of the mock drafts that was submitted for our show today, he certainly will in the form of Peter Skowronski of Northwestern, one of the highest touted offensive tackles out there. I love the guy.

Starting point is 00:07:48 Murph is going to give his opinion. You can probably guess which way that's going to go, folks. Murph is pretty enamored with this guy, too. And you, I think, will be impressed by the great mock drafts that we've had submitted today by our good friends Andrew Garraway and our man LJ. We are going to dive right into Mock Draft Monday, musing the draft here on Locked On Patriots, when this episode of the Locked On Patriots podcast continues.

Starting point is 00:08:15 This show is sponsored by BetterHelp Therapy Online. Folks, we live in complex times, and whether it be emotional stress or financial stress or health-related stress, social stress brought on by anxiety, trying therapy can help you unload that stress and move forward in gaining emotional healing. Unfortunately, life does not come with a user manual, so when it's not working for you, it's formal to feel stuck. Everyone deserves to feel their best, and BetterHelp makes it easier to get started. As the world's largest therapy service, they've matched millions of people with professionally licensed and vetted therapists available 100% online. All the benefits of in-person therapy, plus it's a more convenient, more accessible, and more affordable option. Just fill out a brief questionnaire to match with a therapist,

Starting point is 00:09:06 and if things aren't clicking, you can easily switch to a new therapist anytime. It could not be simpler. So get unstuck with BetterHelp. Learn more and save 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com slash locked on. That's BetterHelp.com slash locked on. That's betterhelp.com slash locked on. Patriots fans, today's episode is sponsored by our good friends over at FanDuel. This year, the only app you need at your Super Bowl party is indeed FanDuel, America's number one sports book. And we're really excited about our sports betting partner for locked on because

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Starting point is 00:10:31 Make every moment more with FanDuel, the official sportsbook partner of the NFL. Patriots fans, one of my favorite aspects of being host here on Locked on Patriots is getting a chance to interact with all of you, the great listeners out there of Locked on Patriots. And I never exaggerate when I say that I appreciate every single one of you from the bottom of my heart, from taking time out of your busy schedule to spend with me here on Locked on Patriots and making us, of course, a daily part of your New England Patriots coverage. Today, though, folks, it's back.

Starting point is 00:11:07 And he's back. That's right. The legendary Thomas Murphy of E2G Sports joins me. It's hashtag Lockdown Murph Monday, but it is also the kickoff of Interactive Season back in full swing. It is Mock Draft Monday. But Murph, we're careful with that because, you know, as you know, we indulge in draft musings here on Locked On Patriots. There will be no mocking of the draft.

Starting point is 00:11:30 No, we do not make fun of the draft in any way, shape, or form. So, Murph, it's great to be back here on hashtag amusing the draft Monday, and I can't think of any better place to be, or I can't think of anyone I'd rather share the microphone with today to embark on this endeavor, my friend. Thank you, my friend. Yeah, this is just like the most wonderful time of the year, isn't it? It truly is. You can hear Andy Williams singing right now if you listen closely.

Starting point is 00:11:56 We get to interact with everybody. We really get into the one thing I like doing more than cutting keys for you all during the season is doing this, getting into mock drafts, getting ready for the Patriots draft, and to have Bill Belichick break my heart again and again and again. But we got a couple of really good ones this week that we're going to kick this off with, and it should just, oh, I'm so happy. I woke up super early this morning looking forward to this, and let's get into it. Yeah, absolutely. Let's get right into it.

Starting point is 00:12:29 And we're going to start off with one of our true mock draft all-stars here on Locked On Patriots. He's been a fan favorite now for the last couple of years. He has graced the airwaves here on Locked On Patriots on occasion to lend his draft wisdom and counsel. And, folks, we're definitely looking forward to having him back at least a couple of times heading into the draft this year. Our good friend, Andrew Carraway, at Carraway6 on Twitter. And Murph, through the brilliance of technology, which I've finally been able to figure out. I'm not quite as bad as Bill with the Snapface stuff, but almost as bad.

Starting point is 00:13:02 But look at that, my friend. We have an interactive mock draft right here. Andrew did a tremendous job with this one. He really does deserve an awful lot of credit. And that's something that I think we're really, really looking forward to. Folks, if you're watching on YouTube, you can definitely see right in between Murph and I right now is this draft submitted by Andrew Carraway. And Andrew kicks this off with a trade. He trades the number 14 pick to the Washington Commanders.

Starting point is 00:13:31 In return, Patriots get a pretty good, nice little haul here. They get the 16th pick in the 2022 and the 2023, excuse me, NFL draft. The number 97 pick in the third round and pick number 152 in the fifth round. And no question about it. He goes right for it, Murph. You liked this one. I liked this one. There's nothing to not like about this one. Peter Skowronski, Northwestern, the tackle,

Starting point is 00:13:56 probably the most highly decorated tackle coming out of this class when it comes to what the Patriots need. Is there anything that we can say negative about this first pick? I don't think so. If this gets there at number 16, the Patriots have to run to the podium. Yeah, bring it to me. If he is there at 16, you're taking it. Bring me all your glumpies, bring me your pierogies,

Starting point is 00:14:17 and bring me your Skronskis. Thank you very much, man. Oh, my God. If there's a more NFL-ready tackle in this draft, I don't I haven't found him. And I love this kid. I would trade up into the top 10 to grab Peter Skronsky. Yeah, I think in a lot of ways, Patriots fans would agree. And anyone that knows the needs on this offensive line right now knows that this kid is the type of generational talent at this position that the patriots haven't had in quite some time and really really could change the complexity of their

Starting point is 00:14:50 offensive line by bringing this kid in one of the best pass blockers that i've seen in decades yeah oh phenomenal the fundamentals pop right off the page with peter there's no question about go watch his film folks if you haven't i definitely, I definitely encourage you. Go out to YouTube. Check out some of the footage that's out there on him. He really is tremendous. Excellent hands. Really, I think a plethora of assets. Really, he can change his approach based on what the pass rusher is going to do. That type of wisdom, that type of instinct is not something you usually see in a player this young, but he's got it. He just has it.

Starting point is 00:15:30 He can take the vertical sets. He can challenge the speed on his opponents, or he can get into the short set type rusher as well. This is also something that he's able to do. He can force them to play through his frame. Patriots haven't had that kind of a talent on the line in quite some time. Yeah, that's for sure.

Starting point is 00:15:48 You've got to go way back. I mean, way, way back into the way back machine, for lack of a better term, to find somebody that is this set. Bring in Skronsky and, excuse me, he would immediately slide onto the left side and let Junior frickin' move back over to the right where he's very happy and still under contract for a year. This is somebody that is not going to take a ton of coaching up. Obviously, there is a difference between blocking at Northwestern

Starting point is 00:16:22 and blocking in the NFL, but there's no one better in this draft. This is an A draft for me right off the top with these first three or four picks that he's got going here. But Skronsky is just the cherry on top. Yeah, it truly is. He really is the cherry on top. And Andrew, right off the bat, we're loving what you've done, my friend, and we thank you for your submission.

Starting point is 00:16:45 But we're moving right along, Murph, because this is not a draft that takes the foot off the accelerator anytime soon. Goes for cornerback in round two, a pick number 46, a Patriots pick that they do have, and he goes with Garrett Williams out of Syracuse. Really, I think, an excellent zone prospect here with Garrett. I love the way he plays in this there is an injury question without any uh doubt about that but at the same time if the patriots

Starting point is 00:17:12 are looking to continue some of the zone looks that we had this is a pretty solid pick for the patriots as well this this really is this kid's got zone instincts that that jump off the page and and he would definitely a lot of people are going to look at this and say, what? Huh? What are you talking about? Garrett Williams? Who's Garrett Williams? Garrett Williams spent the entire season last year recovering from an ACL injury.

Starting point is 00:17:35 And that's why you're not, you didn't hear a lot more of them all season long. This is a fantastic pick. It, with one and two, really goes out and solidifies two needs. Williams is a kid that will probably have to start on PUP this year, but you've got to pay a little bit of a price to get this kind of a talent, and I don't mind paying it at number 46 in the second round. That's for sure. He was a legitimate top 20 pick without the injury that he had. Do you agree, Michael?

Starting point is 00:18:13 Yeah, I do. I agree. And I think he would have been definitely a lot more highly touted than he is had he become into this draft healthy. But, you know, look, I mean, the Patriots have not shied away from guys like this where they feel this could be a potentially great fit in new england uh they're they're not going to let an injury history deter them from making the picks we saw them do it with cameron mcgrown a couple of years ago uh we've seen them do it with uh dominique easley all right i know

Starting point is 00:18:39 folks don't throw up right now this is not the same thing. But you get the idea of what they're, the Patriots are not going to let that type of thing deter them from bringing in a guy that they feel could be a good fit. Now, no question about it. There is a situation where, you know, you have to basically be able to, you know, perform on the field if you're going to stick around.

Starting point is 00:19:04 But if the Patriots see potential, they will do that it's because a good short area quickness pretty good speed like the way you can change direction the one thing that i do wish about garrett and i think would make me a lot more comfortable with this back to the ball yeah a little bit back to ball no question about it and it does it it comes into the fact that i don't think he had a whole lot of opportunities to play press coverage to play man coverage um because syracuse runs a very zone heavy uh you know scheme and that's really where he was able to uh to pop i think the patriots are going to try to return a little bit more to some of the man coverages that we saw i think that's what they'd like to do and if that's case, then you wonder about the potential fit there. But in terms of athleticism and in terms of potential, I like this pick an

Starting point is 00:19:49 awful lot from Andrew. So, so he's a good tackler. He's a good guy when you're, when you're sitting in zone, but you're right. He didn't play a lot of press man up there. It's not his ball game. He doesn't do really well with his back, uh, to the, back to the line of scrimmage. The kid's talented. The kid's really freaking talented. He's a playmaker back there. He's somebody that's going to read the eyes of the quarterback and make a quick break on the ball. It's something that's needed.

Starting point is 00:20:25 I like his size, and I think that he'll translate here really, really well. Yeah, absolutely. I think he translates here really well as well. Moving right along, we're going to move the edge. The first time that we've talked a little bit about the defensive front seven here on Locked On Patriots when it comes to prospects. But, you know, the Patriots are looking to fill as many holes with as many good players as they possibly can. Patriots seldom draft for need.

Starting point is 00:20:51 They usually draft for fit. And Isaiah Folksy coming out of Notre Dame. Murph, your thoughts on this kid? A lot of potential, a lot of us surrounding him, a little bit coming into the Senior Bowl. What are your thoughts on Folksy here at third round number 76? I love it. He's a fantastic pass rusher. He's got a violent pass rusher is a great way to talk about this kid. He breaks off of

Starting point is 00:21:19 and disengages as well as anybody in this draft. I think it's a fantastic pick. I do. I agree withages as well as anybody in this draft. I think it's a fantastic pick. Yeah, I do. I agree with you as well. Look, there's all kinds of awards, all kinds of,

Starting point is 00:21:30 uh, accolades that surrounded him from his time at Notre Dame. Uh, this would be a really solid pick for the new England Patriots, an opportunity to learn from some of the better edge rushers right now. And, you know, I think that,

Starting point is 00:21:42 uh, that counts for an awful lot, uh, when it comes to, uh, to what this team needs to do. counts for an awful lot uh when it comes to uh to what this team needs to do so great job uh when it comes to uh andrew i really really like this uh murph going up and down here we mentioned christopher smith last week an awful lot right you know my feelings on him you know i'm really really happy uh with that pick and seeing him there uh when you look top to bottom what uh diamond in the rough do you think Andrew identified and maybe nailed spot on?

Starting point is 00:22:09 All right. Well, you know, Schumacher down there at 192. I really love, I think he's, he could come in here and be that third tight end. I love his blocking game.

Starting point is 00:22:20 He didn't get enough chance to, to catch the ball there at Michigan. I think he's going to do a lot better there. And, oh, God, Carter Warren. Yeah. Okay. That's a kid that's going to come in here. And we talked about depth an awful lot.

Starting point is 00:22:38 He might not be depth this year. But going forward, man, if you can get him onto the practice squad, give him some time to, to learn from the coaches here, you know, depending on who the coach is going to be, it could be me. You don't know. Yeah. I like that pick also. And of course, you know, the, the great Jake Moody, I love what, what he did late with the Michigan guys. Yeah. I also love what he did with the Michiganigan guys as well and uh carter warren is the guy that i'm really looking at in terms of a um uh late possible late uh you know diamond in the rough

Starting point is 00:23:11 here right uh there is there are issues when it comes to his run blocking there's no question about it take a look at some of the tape uh from him at pit i wish he was a little meaner yeah and i think that that will come maybe a little bit of that will come with the NFL kind of grizzling some of these guys and really kind of hardening them a little bit. But great arm length, really quick kick slide if you want to do that, definitely take a look.

Starting point is 00:23:36 Yeah, that'll be something that pops on the film that you watch on this kid, but if you can pick him up at a late round flyer like this, I think he picks him up six round late round flyer like this i think uh you know he picks him up six round 210 yeah it'd be pretty good i like that uh pick and again i think shoemaker is another one that could do some uh some damage here as well so andrew what can we say we thank you my friend for uh submitting the mock draft today uh this one yeah i think i think

Starting point is 00:24:02 a solid i think a solid uh b plus to an a uh from oh without a doubt i think he did a phenomenal job yeah you know what erase the b plus i don't know what the hell i'm thinking yeah that's an a draft yeah this is an a draft yeah you know you get skoronsky at number 16 right you're doing something right you are manipulating the gods and the draft gods at that point in a really really good direction, really good direction. So Andrew, the cap. Thank you, my friend.

Starting point is 00:24:27 The only thing better. The only thing better is if you got my guy, Deuce Vaughn, who is, who is my, my draft this year. I want Deuce Vaughn on this team, something awful.

Starting point is 00:24:37 And for no other reason, just the name. I mean, imagine the marketing capabilities. No, I'll get it. No, no good,

Starting point is 00:24:42 good blue chipper there as well. And folks, we are not done amusinging the draft just yet because another one of our all-stars came in with a draft that, as Randy Jackson would say, this guy is in it to win it. Now, did he win it? Murph and I are going to talk about that in just a moment. But our guy, LJ, definitely swung for the fences on this one.

Starting point is 00:25:01 And for no other reason, it's going to be an entertaining thing to go through in just a moment when this episode of the Locked On Patriots podcast continues. But first, folks, Valentine's Day is coming up, which means romance is in the air more than usual. I don't need to tell all you lovebirds out there that you've probably had your date plans on the calendar for weeks.

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Starting point is 00:26:11 shopping process and you can focus on the romance every order is insured it arrives quickly in discreet packaging that won't give away what's inside shipping is free and so are the returns so right now you can save up to 50 at blue nile.com that's blue nile.com for up to 50 off blue nile.com patriots fans the legendary thomas murphy joins me here today columnist extraordinaire of e2g sports.com and also i'm using the draft tag team partner for the rest of the draft season but we're already off to a great start our good friend andrew carraway at carraway six on twitter knocking it out of the park on his first swing uh we're right now in the thralls but got to give a lot of credit to our guy lj at show underscore. He has submitted this abbreviated version of mock draft Monday here on

Starting point is 00:27:07 locked on on Patriots. And this is the second one we received Murph and boy, I'll tell you, LJ did not hold back here as the late great gorilla monsoon would say a lot of intestinal fortitude on this draft. And I will applaud him. I think he did an admirable job in getting some of the guys that i know he'd love to see here in new england um we'll kick it right off murph the patriots

Starting point is 00:27:32 get their wide receiver they get their wide receiver when it comes to his receiver absolutely a slot specialist in jackson smith and jiba And now when you look at what this kid brings to the table, Murph, the first thing that stands out to me with this pick is route running. One of the better route runners in this draft. Without a doubt, man. One of the crispest route runners that's available in this draft. I just think that at 22, I need the offensive line to be taken care of. You've got to block before you can get the ball.

Starting point is 00:28:10 But this kid is a fantastic talent. LJ really scratched the back of my neck because I love the yak that this kid gets. Every time somebody tries to wrap him up, he is breaking away from a tackle. Yak is the word, and yak is what I love, and I do. I like this pick, LJ. It was a very bold move for you to move down in the way that you did, but you brought back a ton. He did bring back a ton, folks.

Starting point is 00:28:39 You can see the trades that are there that are listed. Definitely go ahead and check these out. A lot of great stuff here um you know that number 14 goes to the baltimore ravens but boy you picked up a lot from baltimore really kind of took advantage of them and turned that number 22 pick uh which was the crown jewel of your trade into jackson uh to me that's that's great and again i love route standing route runners i've had a thing for you know guys like justin jefferson and guys like chris olave from last year just really really amazing route runners

Starting point is 00:29:11 even when stefan diggs was available as a free agent i salivated over watching him catch passes here in new england potentially from don brady at the time but you know it really just i think it lends itself into the way the Patriots love to play offense. There's no question about it. This kid can get space. C.J. Stroud loved him for a reason. But the one thing that I did see with him, correct me if I'm wrong here, top end speed. Not the best in terms of that.

Starting point is 00:29:39 If the Patriots are looking for a WR1, even out of the slot. They may need a little more speed here. That's it. That's it. I wholeheartedly agree. But when you go back and you look at this kid, as a sophomore, he led Ohio State in receiving a team that had Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. And he had 95 catches for almost 1,600 yards, 1,59595 just knocking on that door and um uh you know this then as a as a junior he played only 60 snaps because of hamstring injury that that he had that's something

Starting point is 00:30:15 that you don't really need to keep too much of an eye on but it's something that you need to think about it's just the way lj went at the top of this draft, I would have went in a different way. But you can't argue with the haul that he brought back later on. Without question. Without question. Very, very decent haul. And moving on, my friend, because we're not just all about the offense here. LJ, I know, got the guy that he wanted.

Starting point is 00:30:40 When you look at the second round here, number 46, another Michigan guy, Murph, another Wolverine finding his way into the Patriots and house, um, Maisie Smith. Uh, this one to me, uh, looked like, like there was some potential here. What were your thoughts on this? Because you know, the Michigan guys as well are better than anyone else in the, in the business right now. Yeah. I mean, it's really hard to move him out of the way.

Starting point is 00:31:03 If you're trying to run on, on Maisie Smith. Um, the only, the only question I have, uh, is, you know, the, the true progression over four years that that's it. You'll, uh, he's not somebody that's going to play on the outside. He doesn't get after the quarterback a ton, but he stops the run like few other people in this draft. Absolutely. And if the Patriots are looking for a little bit more increased presence with the run, although I do want to give the front line credit this year. I really think the defensive front did a very good job of fixing some of the deficiencies that they had on the run in 2021 this is something we knocked them for especially not being able to stop the buffalo bills in that playoff game essentially ran roughshod over them you didn't see a whole lot of that this year with the new england patriots and far more i think uh

Starting point is 00:31:54 you know coming into his own missing some time with injury helped lawrence guy i thought stepped up tremendously but gotcha had a better season than he did his first year here in new england so these types of things are good. If you're looking to back build, you know, Maisie Smith is definitely someone. Build from strength. And that's what they're doing here. Barmore has had some injury issues over his first two seasons.

Starting point is 00:32:19 This is a kid that can come in and start and not start, but be a part of this fine rotation that the Patriots have up front for a very, very long time. Okay. It's another thing. Bill doesn't ask the interior guys to get after the quarterback much, and he fits that profile. Yeah, without any question.

Starting point is 00:32:42 You know, this is more of a stationary pick. This is more of a stationary pick. This is more of a stationary guy. But again, if this is what you're looking for in terms of a guy that does one thing, and I hate saying that because these guys all do more than one thing, but if there's one thing he specializes in and does it very well, Mazie Smith, I think, could be a very good pick for them. He's going to help Bill do what Bill likes to do on the back end, work those light boxes up front and allow

Starting point is 00:33:08 them to stop the run and use that amoeba defense to its pinnacle. Yep, without any question. Third round, Murph. We're going to talk just a little bit about this Because this is definitely an eye-catcher I think for a lot of people that are on You know, watching this on YouTube

Starting point is 00:33:30 Seeing the The placard for this mock draft Of course, folks, if you're listening to this audio-wise You can catch We're going to be tweeting these out From the Locked On Patriots account So you can catch all of the picks that LJ and Andrew had For this week's mock draft But Hendon Hooker out of Tennessee, one of the more dynamic talents

Starting point is 00:33:49 in this draft. No question about it. Highly rated quarterback, highly touted quarterback. Third round, 88. Good value here for LJ. No question about it. You and I talked about this a little bit offline. Do you worry about the fit in a Bill O'Brien offense? Yeah, I do. That's about the only thing that it really worries me is the fact that the offense that the Patriots seem to be turning back a page to is not the offense that he's going to fit into. He's a man that a lot of people got on O'Brien for how things went offensively last year at Alabama, but that was simply because he was, I don't want to say hamstrung, but he didn't have the right quarterback for the environment that he wanted to work in.

Starting point is 00:34:39 And what the Patriots have here with Mack Jones is the quarterback that, that he, if Bill O'Brien had been the offensive coordinator, when Mack Jones was, was at Alabama, there would have been no issue whatsoever. And that's one of the reasons he came in here. Uh, hooker is, is somebody that just does not fit the scheme here. I like to have quarterbacks that, uh, if you, if one steps, steps, if one gets sidelined, you can slide the other one right in and the playbook doesn't have to change for that game. With Hooker, it would. Yeah. Yeah. Without any question. And, you know, I mean, that's not to say that the Patriots are not adaptable. If you're going to adapt, you have to adapt for the right quarterback. I think Hooker definitely possesses the intangibles and the skillset to be that guy. You just have to adapt for the right quarterback. I think Booker definitely possesses the intangibles and the skill set to be that guy.

Starting point is 00:35:27 You just have to wonder what the Patriots are going to do. I think they're well set at the backup position. I like Bailey Zappi in terms of his ability to mimic what Mac Jones can do. And times even come in, maybe even do it a little bit better. We saw him do that a little bit this year. So I think the Patriots are set there. I don't look for them to go in that direction but we didn't think they would last year either and they came away with bailey so um again lj definitely an a for ingenuity without any question uh before we take our lead from lj's draft murph instead of going in the direction of

Starting point is 00:36:00 hidden gems uh he went a little center happy in the second half of this draft um you know all the teamie coming out of michigan at uh 125 in the fourth round uh goes to the well again cedric van praan coming out of georgia at pick number 127 in the fourth round and then ricky stromberg at the sixth round out of arkansas obviously the patriots are probably not going to invest this much capital in in in the position, but out of these three guys, when you look at the center position, because I know you like these big round guys in the middle,

Starting point is 00:36:31 Murph, I know you love them. Anybody stand out to you on this three, who would you take a flyer on? If you're the New England Patriots, probably the Michigan kid. I just liked the way that they translate into, into what the Patriots are doing,

Starting point is 00:36:44 but that's not to say Van Praan is a fantastic center. And he really is. He's somebody that would be a project. What I think LJ did here was, you know, he had all these late round picks. He sees what he sees the need in the future. Maybe he's thinking that somebody can slip in at guard and, and, and play multiple positions. He ignored it at the top of the draft and he tried to make up for it, you know, towards the middle and the late and, and, and down the bottom, uh, see if, um, you know,

Starting point is 00:37:18 take these three, three very good players and see what sticks here in this system. It was a good draft. I really like it. Carter Warren down there from Pitt, I really, really love. Yeah, Warren definitely is someone, especially at the tackle position. Versatility brings you an awful lot. I love that pick as well. So LJ did a really good job here. I'm going to sing the praises of Ricky Stromberg out of Arkansas

Starting point is 00:37:42 for just a moment. Talk to a Patriot scout this weekend. And as you know, the Patriots had a heavy presence down in Las Vegas this past week for the Shrine Bowl. Ricky was there. And the one thing that seemed to stand out about this kid, versatility. He's an interior guy. He's not going to be a tackle, folks. He's a center.

Starting point is 00:38:02 But he can play either one of the guard positions as well. Success the sec that's something that i think the patriots love to see a big time conference you have success there against quality opponents uh definitely the strength of his frame not a question there he's got it good solid step out of his first stance i'm quoting directly now from the scout because this is something that i think patriots really really like seeing um you know who knows if this is a potential late round selection like uh you know lj has here i can see the patriots taking a late round flyer i don't think this is the type of guy you trade up for but good potential pats don't have an immediate need on the interior i think they're well set there at the starting position at least for a number at least for a a couple of years to come. As long as David Andrews wants to have that center

Starting point is 00:38:48 position, I think it's his until he decides he wants to retire. You've got Cody Roosie waiting in the wings, perhaps. Guard position, Cole Strange, Michael Wainoom. I think that could be one of the more dominant guard tandems in the league when Strange finally comes into his own. I think you're going to see that. So that's a guy i'm keeping my eye on but who are you keeping your eye on folks we'd love to hear more from you when it comes to the draft and when it comes to my drafts murph before we take our leave of uh lj here uh and i know i said that earlier but this time i really mean it folks um great for uh for lj's work here i I think a solid B, B-plus here for LJ. Great start. Easily a B.

Starting point is 00:39:27 Easily a B. Yeah, definitely. And we thank our good friends, Andrew Carraway and LJ for submitting. But folks, we are just scratching the surface here when it comes to Locked On Patriots and Mock Draft Monday or Musing the Draft Monday. We want to hear from you.

Starting point is 00:39:43 We would love to see your great mock drafts, your great work, your thoughts on what the Patriots should do. If you're going to do so each and every Monday, Murph and I will be breaking down mock drafts here on the blocked on Patriots podcast right through draft time. So submit them. Best thing to do is to send a tweet to locked on Patriots at L O underscore Patriots.

Starting point is 00:40:07 Tag myself at M-D-A-B-A-T-E-N-F-L. Tag Murph as well at TeamMurph207. And definitely, folks, we look forward to interacting with each and every one of you. If you want to give your thoughts on the Patriots draft without submitting one, you can always do so in the comments section on YouTube, or you can definitely send us a note at LO underscore Patriots as well. Murph, it's always fun. We're off to a great start here on Mock Draft Monday here on Locked On Patriots.

Starting point is 00:40:33 It's going to be a fun season, my friend. It is. It really is. Hey, guys, back off with the trades. We've only got so much time here. Back off with the trades. Yeah. You know what, you know keep them coming keep them coming however you want to craft that Murph and I will find a way to work it in uh but no all kidding aside we really love this time of year uh we do seem like we're smiling and laughing a bit

Starting point is 00:40:56 more right now it really is because it's just it is the most wonderful time of the year here on the pod and really for all of us that just love what we do for a living here and then be able to break down you know draft profiles and things like that with all of you is really some of my favorite work that i do here on lockdown patriots so in the meantime folks thank you for making time in your schedule to make lockdown patriots a daily part of your new england patriots coverage if you've made us your first listen, please make your second listen. Our good friends over at the Locked On NFL podcast, it is Super Bowl week, boots on the ground in Glendale. The New England Patriots may not be in the Super Bowl this year, folks,

Starting point is 00:41:41 but that doesn't mean that the coverage stops all across the Locked On podcast network. Great coverage going on. Tip of the cap, nod to the gods to my good friends over at Locked On. Chiefs, Locked On, Eagles, who are definitely doing their due diligence to bring you the great coverage this week. But definitely check them out wherever you get your podcasts. And as for Locked On Patriots, please smash that subscribe button, download, subscribe to, and follow wherever you get your podcasts.

Starting point is 00:42:01 On behalf of my good friend Thomas Murphy, I'm Mike DeBate. Please continue to stay safe and stay well. Be the change you wish to see in the world. Have a great day, everyone.

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