In Jordan Reid’s latest two-round NFL mock draft, he has the New England Patriots getting a second-round steal that shined in the combine. In this mock draft, he has two quarterbacks going in the top three picks and the Patriots taking Travis Hunter at four.
Drafting Hunter would be a dream come true, but we have seen that before. What was most interesting was who the Patriots got in the second round.
Reid had the Patriots drafting Josh Conerly Jr., an offensive tackle from Oregon. Conerly is listed at 6’5 311 pounds on NFL.com, but what most impressive was his outing at the combine.
Conerly moves very fluidly and is very athletic for his size and position. He ran a 5.05 forty yard dash, which was 10th amongst offensive linemen, and his 34.5 inch vertical was third best amongst offensive linemen.
Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Josh Conerly Jr.
© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
With Conerly’s athleticism and speed, he can play left or right tackle, depending on where the Patriots would need him to play. Conerly is a good all-around player; he is really good in both pass and run blocking, and he has great hands and technique.
Conerly got much better as the season progressed and had his best game against Penn State. For those who pay close attention to the draft, yes, he did go against Abdul Carter a lot that game, and yes, he blocked him as best as anyone could. Carter would end that game with zero sacks, and Oregon would go on to win that game.
Corley can do just about everything; his only weakness is being weak. He is one of the less strong linemen in this year’s draft. Luckily, strength is something he will build over time in the offseason and in years to come.
He is only 21, and he will get stronger as he gets older. This, being his biggest weakness, is a huge plus for the Patriots. Corley was named First-team All-Big Ten and started all 14 games for the Ducks. He would be a great fit for the Patriots, especially if they do not go offensive line in the first round. His versatility and athleticism will be perfect for protecting Drake Maye.
If the Patriots can get a top overall prospect like Hunter in the first round and somehow still manage to get Conerly, who is a first-round pick in some mock drafts, in the second round, then the Patriots will be in great shape.