I finished my goal to look at ten tackle prospects. Unlike some of the other positions, where I had put a lot of energy and focus into, offensive tackle is an area I need to put a lot more work into to understand how to scout. So, I admit that my takes here suffer from a level of ignorance that I hope to continue to work to correct.
Offensive Tackle is another area where everyone has some warts in this years class and where some of the better prospects shined in 2016. I don't think I would want any of Brown, Williams, McGlinchey, Miller, Crosby, or Wynn in the first round as a tackle prospect (Wynn or Williams could be guards and Wynn would warrant a possible first round grade there). That's not that I don't like them, except Crosby - not high on him at all, and Brown (that's a whole different can of worms). I like the positional versatility that Wynn and Williams give you. Williams was inconsistent in 2017. In Scar we trust, if he thinks he is fixable he could be the LT of the future. Williams isn't the prototypical Patriots LT though. McGlinchey is but he isn't the most technically sound. He plays athletically and although we don't have any test results he should be considered a plus athlete. He also needs to add more weight/strength. If you went by potential and a moldable lump of OT clay I think McGlinchey would be their guy, but is he really a value at 31 or 43? I anticipate that there will be better players on the board at positions of need especially on the defense.
Miller is my guy - with the caveat that his height potentially limits his ceiling. And that's where my knowledge base gets me into trouble with projection. When you see the weaknesses in his game coming from his height how much can you coach around that? But even with those potential limitations I think there is value scooping him up in the 3rd.
Tackle is a premium position and where guys slide up on boards because of it. This is not a good year for top end tackles. I don't think there are any - or if there are they come with ?s and risk more than the average high end tackle prospect. Patriots have Waddle and get to develop Garcia for a year and perhaps see him in action in the second half of the season. The Patriots have a lot of needs, but because of their roster construction they likely do not need to start a rookie. If the value is there and Scar likes the guy by all means pull the trigger but I would hope they do not reach for someone in this year's class.
What do you all make of the tackle class?
