3. Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton Headlines a Strong Offensive Tackle Group
The most impressive position on the Senior Bowl rosters is at offensive tackle. It’s a good year for the Patriots to need OTs, especially in the top-40 picks, where many scouts anticipate roughly ten offensive tackles to fly off the board by early day two:
Tyler Guyton (Oklahoma) – Guyton isn’t a finished product yet, with some lapses in technique that lead to quick losses. However, he’s a converted tight end who is relatively new to the position and is a stellar athlete with tremendous size (6-7, 328, 34-inch arms). Guyton had an incredible run where he was dominant throughout both run-blocking and pass-blocking drills. He rode Alabama edge rusher Chris Braswell to the ground on one rep where Braswell tried to turn his corner. Guyton has an incredibly high ceiling, but quick losses to Houston’s Nelson Ceasar on an inside spin move and another quick loss in an edge-setting drill show that he’s green. Still, with those athletic traits and raw power, Guyton has immense potential.
Taliese Fuaga (Oregon State) – Overall, a strong showing from Fuaga, who started the practice off red hot. Fuaga’s ability to reach his landmarks quickly to make rushers go through him to the quarterback was a challenge for the edge rushers on the National squad. He also has great foot speed and balance as a run blocker. However, Fuaga did cool off toward the end of practice, getting beat on a speed rush that would’ve been a holding call. It’s worth monitoring on day two to see if endurance is an issue for Fuaga.
Patrick Paul (Houston) – Paul is a mauler with excellent size (6-7, 333, 36-inch arms) and has also been one of the standout athletic testers in Mobile. His height works against him sometimes against power rushers who can get underneath his pads on bull rushes, but he’s going to move people and has the foot speed to mirror around the arc in pass pro. Paul is an intriguing day-two option for the Patriots, with plenty of developmental upside.
Kingsley Suamataia (BYU) – Suamataia is a blocky right tackle prospect with a wide body and a great anchor to slow down pass-rushers. Early on, he made it extremely difficult on guys by playing with good leverage to protect his corner. The BYU product also finished regularly in the run game with great power on outside zone. However, Suamataia had one close loss and a decisive loss to projected first-rounder Laiatu Latu (UCLA) in best-on-best work at the end of practice. Suamataia beat Latu initially on the first rep by knocking down a cross-chop move, but Latu was able to recover and corner late in the rep. Then, Latu beat him clean on an inside move. Overall, Suamataia is an intriguing prospect due to his stout frame and power. Still, he will face plenty of rushers of Latu’s caliber at the next level.
Jordan Morgan (Arizona) – Although he has an athletic tackle build, Morgan measured in with under 33-inch arms and struggled with his hand placement and establishing first contact. He showed good timing up to the second level as a run blocker. Along with his arm length, his traits might be best suited at guard. It’s not really a “down” because he had some good reps. Morgan just might project inside at the next level.
4. UNH RB Dylan Laube Among Tight Ends and Running Back Standouts
The Patriots offense has holes everywhere, including secondary needs at tight end and running back. This isn’t the best class at either of those positions, but there might be some value on day three, precisely where the Pats should entertain a pick.
Starting at running back, UNH’s Dylan Laube has some skills as a change-of-pace back. He reached a top speed of over 20 MPH when he broke through the defense on a rep of one-back power from shotgun, pressing inside behind his lead block before exploding outside. Laube has quick feet, good stop/start ability, and quickness in the pass game. As a projected mid-day-three pick, I’m intrigued by the fit in New England – like a bigger Danny Woodhead.
At tight end, Kansas State’s Ben Sinnott and Penn State’s Theo Johnson showed the ability to run away from coverage on seams and crossers. They have some juice in the passing game that’s worth looking into as developmental options for the Patriots.
5. Defense Matters, Too: Four Defensive Players Making Money in Mobile
No, we aren’t neglecting the defensive players in this draft or at the Senior Bowl because the Patriots have more pressing needs on offense. Here are the players who caught my eye:
CB Quinyon Mitchell (Toledo) – One of the best palyers on the field. Mitchell is in the conversation for the best cornerback in this class. He was incredibly strappy in coverage throughout practice and had two pass breakups in drills. Mitchell was excellent.
CB Cam Hart (Notre Dame) – Hart was competitive in one-on-one drills with suffocating coverage. He had a great rep against Tez Walker, where he ran the route for Walker and intercepted the pass. Hart also has good size (6-3, 204). He could be a perimeter corner the Patriots target early on day three, but Hart might play himself into day two in Mobile.
DT Braden Fiske (Florida State) – My goodness does this dude’s motor run hot. Fiske is a monster in the middle with excellent play speed, power, and snap timing. He was wrecking run plays during team drills in National practice.
DT Gabe Hall (Baylor) – Twitched-up interior rusher with a really good arm-over/swim move and the ability to win with power. Hall is worth another look as a potential rotational interior rusher.
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