22 hours Ago
Eric Canha-Imagn Images It may look like a bit of a reach, but this pick fills a key need in making the Patriots offense competitive. The New England Patriots hired Mike Vrabel earlier this offseason to be their next head coach. Normally that comes with plenty of changes, but Robert Kraft continues to try and copy that same magic that worked under Bill Belichick by hiring another former Patriots player to lead the team.
This time around, it’s a coach with a wealth of experience and success in the NFL. Fans can feel a lot more confident in the floor of their team, as well as where they can foresee the franchise going from here.A lot of that hope for the future stems from the draft, especially when it involves a new head coach entering their first year with a team.
Knowing that the Patriots are committed to quarterback Drake Maye, will they end up using their first-round pick to benefit their young passer?Well, if you’re Matt St. Jean of Pats Pulpit, then yes, you do. However, it may not be the position you’d expect.
With the fourth-overall pick, the St. Jean is taking Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou to help protect the team’s signal-caller.4.
New England Patriots: Armand Membou, OT, MissouriSt. Jean: Armand Membou has the highest ceiling of any offensive tackle in this class and could give the Patriots a Pro Bowl-level left tackle of the future. At the same time, his experience at right tackle gives him a high floor if switching to the left side doesn’t pan out.
Analysis: Depending on who you ask, offensive lineman can be deemed “weapons” for an NFL team, as well. New head coach Mike Vrabel likely fits into that group as someone who knows how much success a team can have behind a strong run game (see Derrick Henry from 2018-2023). With this selection, the Patriots are getting a new starting right tackle who also offers flexibility at guard if needed.
Taking Membou this early also signifies Vrabel’s commitment to the run game as a way of helping take the pressure off of second-year quarterback Drake Maye instead of using it on a new weapon for him to throw to. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson likely loves this pick, as well.Membou is a large, athletic lineman who plays with the demeanor coaches prefer in their blockers.
He’s aggressive and comes like a freight train on down blocks while possessing strong mitts that help halt pass rushers in their tracks before they can build up any steam.Top five remaining players:Tetairoa McMillan, WR, ArizonaMason Graham, DT, MichiganAshton Jeanty, RB, Boise StateWill Campbell, OT, LSUJahdae Barron, CB, TexasThe Patriots surprised the rest of the league by taking a player at No. 4 overall who wasn’t even in the remaining top five players left on the board.
St. Jean chose to stick to their board and pick the player at their greatest position of need. Will Membou’s impact as a rookie beyond end up being greater than any of the players they passed on? Only time will tell.
The Jaguars are up next and will have a similar choice as the Patriots. Will they take the draft’s top wideout to help out Trevor Lawrence bounce back from a down year, or will they nab a blue-chip defender in Mason Graham?.
