Third-round picks are nothing to sneeze at in the NFL.
That’s exactly what the Patriots used on tackle Yodny Cajuste in the 2019 NFL Draft, despite the quad injury the West Virginia tackle was dealing with that would likely derail his rookie season. It tells you the value the team placed on the player considering his damaged goods status.
Indeed, Cajuste spent last fall on NFI in New England, a somewhat forgotten man in the Patriots offensive line mix.
Now, though, with right tackle Marcus Cannon having opted out of the 2020 season due to coronavirus concerns, Cajuste is healthy and could be in the mix for a role on the offensive line.
While outsiders may see Cannon’s absence as an opportunity for Cajuste, he was looking at the new season in that light regardless of the veteran’s opt-out.
“When I heard that, honestly, I had the same mindset I had before I heard it,” Cajuste said of Cannon’s decision. “Just to be able to have a chance to come out and play football again, that’s really the only thing that was on my mind. Just being blessed to be able to play football whether Cannon opted out or not. So I really didn’t have a thought about that really.”
A three-year starter for the Mountaineers, the 6-5, 310-pound Cajuste was the Big 12 Conference Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2018. Though he couldn’t prove himself physically as a rookie, Cajuste spent last season in his playbook and “learning how it is to be a Patriot” from his veteran teammates.
Now he’s ready to put the behind-the-scenes work to use during this summer’s strange training camp.
“Honestly, it’s definitely a grind. But I’m just happy to be playing the game I love to play,” Cajuste said during a Wednesday afternoon video call with the local media. “Last year I wasn’t able to do it. So it’s just a blessing to be able to go out on that field every day and to actually be able to play football again.”
Cajuste is likely battling veterans Jermaine Eluemunor and Korey Cunningham for tackle roles and reps, but for now he’s really just focused on his own development.
“It feels great to finally get back out there. To be getting great coaching and just to be able to get my feet wet,” Cajuste said of early camp reps. “It’s a great feeling. I’m trying to improve daily, just trying to keep my head down and staying focused and staying in my playbook. Just trying to do better than I did yesterday and move on forward each and every day.
“Coming off an injury, you are never going to just be back where you left off. There is obviously…you are going to have to work back to get to where you were. So I’m just taking it each day at a time and just getting better and better. Moving on, crisping up everything and moving that way.
“Every day is a challenge. No matter what it is, honestly. I feel that whether it’s the playbook or getting out there (physically competing). I’m just trying to keep my head down and study every night and go out in practice and improve on things that I need to improve on every single day.”
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