Starting QB job is Mac's to lose
Approval was very high for the New England Patriots’ early-round 2023 draft picks, especially first-round cornerback Christian Gonzalez. The chorus of doubt and inquiry grew for the Patriots’ Day 3 approach in Rounds 4-7, where they seemed to focus on interior linemen and special teams. Questions about why they didn’t get Mac Jones help may prove foolhardy if receivers Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas pan out as sixth-round value grabs.
The notion of the Pats not grabbing an offensive tackle, which many identified as a pressing need entering the draft, may have just been answered after all.
According to a report from SI’s Albert Breer, the Patriots plan to test out fourth-round pick Sidy Sow at offensive tackle. Sow, a native Canadian and graduate of Eastern Michigan University, played guard in college (he was at school for five seasons). He was first team All-MAC in 2021 and 2022 at left guard, but it’s his freshman year that may tip the Pats' plan for the big man. Writes Breer, “My understanding is they’re gonna try Sow at tackle, where he actually played as a true freshman in 2018.”
Though Sow was considered a mid-round prospect at the draft, his RAS (relative athletic score), which is all the rage these days, was very high.
Athleticism and versatility were the biggest themes, in addition to creating doubt amongst draft experts, for this year’s class for the Patriots. If Sow can kick out to tackle and play well, then he creates depth along the interior and exterior for the Pats. The Pats enter 2023 with Trent Brown the presumed incumbent starter at left tackle, and a host of players competing for the right tackle job (newcomers Riley Reiff and Calvin Anderson alongside veterans Conor McDermott and Yodny Cajuste, to name a few).
This wouldn’t be the first time the Patriots either experimented with or played a guard at tackle. Starting right guard Mike Onwenu played right tackle successfully for a spell in 2020, and Logan Mankins kicked out to left tackle for a bit in 2012 due to an injury to Nate Solder. It should be noted Makins, a Pats Hall of Fame finalist this year, was playing himself with a torn ACL at the time.
Perhaps the Pats did just more than beef up excessively on the interior of the line and could have found a tackle of the future after all. Sow will have that athleticism tested by O-line coach Adrian Klemm and offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien. Yet another situation and competition worth keeping an eye on for the evolving 2023 Pats offense.
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