Patriots Draft: Projected First-Round Tackle Visiting New England

The New England Patriots have to address a few needs in the offseason. Head coach Bill Belichick is an excellent head coach and he is doing a wonderful job with the team. Of course, Robert Kraft trusts him enough, and Belichick is free to make decisions. According to latest reports, a potential first-round tackle is visiting New England. This is more than great news for the Patriots fanbase.

Belichick has to get players at several positions. He has a starting quarterback, but Mac Jones really needs strong weapons. The 2021 NFL season was a good season and Jones was really successful. Well, he would have done better in other circumstances. The Patriots looked great last season but Jones missed the chance to win a ring just because he needed more experience, and of course, strong pass catchers.

The tackle is visiting New England, could get a big chance

Ryan Fowler from The Draft Network, reported that Trevor Penning from Northern Iowa will visit the Patriots for a top-30 pre-draft visit. Penning will arrive in New England on Wednesday and this visit could lead to something great.

Several sources suggest that Penning will find a home in the first round of the upcoming draft. Analysts say he is the fourth-best tackle this year. Unfortunately, he may not be available at No.21 overall.

Penning could be really helpful for the Patriots in 2021. He was a dominant player. According to Lance Zierlein, Penning “plays with a level of disgust for anyone lining up against him and seeks out violent block finishes when possible.” He also praised his “gritty throwback field demeanor.”

The player’s writeup in PFF’s 2022 draft guide suggests that his “tape at Northern Iowa looks like someone’s dad subbed into a Pop Warner game.”

“(He has) the kind of physicality that transcends competition level,” PFF added. “He is out for blood.”

The Patriots could use a highly-athletic player. Penning tested “in the 89th percentile in the broad jump, the 97th percentile in the 40-yard dash and the 98th percentile in the three-cone drill at 6-foot-7, 325 pounds.”

Let’s see how this tackle uses his chance in New England.