Scharping could be the Patriots’ long term solution at left tackle or Marcus Cannon’s successor at right tackle."WhitePatriots News Opinion and Analysis Contribute! FanPostsFanShotsAbout the Site List of Patriots Twitter AccountsWrite For Pats Pulpit!New User Welcome and Commenting GuideCommunity GuidelinesMastheadTopics Patriots Off-Season CoveragePatriots Opinion/AnalysisPatriots NewsPatriots Draft CoverageSportfolio ManagementPatriots Opinion/AnalysisPatriots 2019 NFL Draft CoveragePatriots Off-Season CoverageTop 10 Patriots Fits #5: Northern Illinois OT Max ScharpingNew Joejuan Williams Buffalo Bills Jersey ,18commentsScharping could be the Patriots’ long term solution at left tackle or Marcus Cannon’s successor at right tackle. EDTShareTweetShareShareTop 10 Patriots Fits #5: Northern Illinois OT Max ScharpingChuck Cook-USA TODAY SportsIf you are wondering why I skipped #6, there is already an excellent article on Deebo Samuel’s fit with the Patriots by Bernd. Instead what I’ll do is move onto my #5 fit for the Patriots in the draft with NIU OT Max Scharping. The Patriots have drafted a tackle in the first three rounds twice in the last two years, but both players have not played a single regular season snap to date. Antonio Garcia had an off-the-field health issue that led to him being released one year after getting drafted and Isaiah Wynn missed his rookie season with a ruptured Achilles tendon. The team does not a well-defined solution for the LT position going into the draft for the second straight year, although they figured out something last year by drafting Wynn and trading for Trent Brown on the first night of the draft. History may repeat itself again a year later.In the draft, the Patriots will likely miss out on Jonah Williams and Andre Dillard. The rest of the OT group, which is a much deeper class this year, should be up for grabs although we’ll likely see at least 4-5 of them taken before the Patriots go to the board.Combine DataHeight: 6’6”Weight: 327Arm: 33 5/8”40: DNP 225-lb Bench Press: 27 repsVertical: 28”Broad Jump: 9’0”5-10-5 Shuttle: 4.693-Cone: 7.77StrengthsExperience at both OT spots in college, 2 years at each spotAnchors well vs. bull rushStrong athletic traitsHigh football IQ4 year starter in collegeAlready at ideal size and strength to play right awayWeaknessesPass pro technique needs refinement, especially against speed rushersCompetition level is a small concern, played for a non-Power 5 schoolCould improve on sustaining run blocks and climbing to the 2nd levelReasons Why the Patriots Would Draft HimScharping profiles as your quintessential Patriots offensive lineman prospect. He’s a hard worker with good football IQ and athletic traits who just needs to work on his technique. Fortunately, the Patriots have the answer to that problem in the form of OL coach Dante Scarnecchia, who has turned even less talented OL into Pro Bowlers. For a small school prospect Color Rush Joejuan Williams Jersey , he’s pretty close to NFL ready to start at either tackle spot. Even though the Patriots drafted Wynn last season, that should not stop the Patriots from picking up Scharping because if Wynn is able to make a full recovery, then the Patriots have 2 talented OTs on rookie contracts. Reasons Why the Patriots Would Not Draft HimBiggest reason for me would simply be the Patriots picking someone else, especially if a more NFL ready prospect who grades much higher falls into their draft range. Also given that Scharping is also almost a plug and play starter at a premier position in the NFL, 31 other teams will have some interest. I get the feeling if he’s not going to New England that he’s going to Green Bay. Who He Needs to Beat: Cedrick Lang, Dan Skipper, Cole CrostonThe Patriots will likely swing a trade for a veteran LT to start right away and allow Scharping to develop at his own pace. If the Patriots pull the trigger on him, there is really isn’t serious competition for him to claim a 53-man roster spot with three bottom-end roster guys/practice squad players he would have to beat out.Rookie Year ProjectionScharping ideally should be put in a position where he is not forced to start right away. The Patriots do have a question mark at LT and a longer concern at RT with Marcus Cannon now 31 years old. If he’s good enough to start right away, then I see no issues here. In the event he is not starting in Week 1, I’d like to see him play the 6th OL/3rd OT role at the goal line to get him some experience. The Patriots did that to develop Sebastian Vollmer, Nate Solder, and Cannon before putting them in the starting lineup.Long Term ProjectionScharping would be a starter at either tackle spot Youth Joejuan Williams Jersey , depending on what goes on Wynn. If Wynn recovers from the injury and locks down the LT spot, then Scharping will eventually take over at RT for Cannon. Should Scharping somehow swoop in and win the starting LT job as a rookie, then that’s where he’ll be for 4 years with Wynn ending up at RT. Wynn will get the first opportunity to lock down the LT job between the two. Grade: 4/5 Future StarterScharping is a high-end 4 on the scale for me, as he’ll need a bit of time to develop without the pressure of being thrown into the fire early. The Patriots are one of the few teams that will be able to afford him that luxury barring injuries. He can already contribute as an extra blocker on the goal line while he works with Coach Scarnecchia with pass pro technique. Round: 2ndFirst round is a bit rich because he doesn’t have plug-and-play starter value like Wynn did a year ago. However, he should be a target on the team on Day 2, particularly in the 2nd round when looking for a guy who will develop into the starter by the end of his second training camp. Isaiah Wynn’s selection a year ago should not prevent the Patriots from taking Scharping because having two quality OL on rookie contracts is a great thing to have. Daily news and links for Friday"WhitePatriots News Opinion and Analysis Contribute! FanPostsFanShotsAbout the Site List of Patriots Twitter AccountsWrite For Pats Pulpit!New User Welcome and Commenting GuideCommunity GuidelinesMastheadTopics Patriots Off-Season CoveragePatriots Opinion/AnalysisPatriots NewsPatriots Draft CoverageSportfolio ManagementNew England Patriots links 4/05/19 - Biggest offseason priority for Pats: TE or DL?New,174commentsDaily news and links for FridayEDTShareTweetShareShareNew England Patriots links 4/05/19 - Biggest offseason priority for Pats: TE or DL?Jared Goff just gets the ball off against DE Deatrich WiseRichard Mackson-USA TODAY SportsTEAM TALKLeon Gray elected into Patriots Hall of Fame.Paul Perillo makes his case for Richard Seymour.Rob Rang’s Draft Prospect Profiles: Center.Angelique Fiske has the story of a seal named after Julian Edelman released into wild.Looking back at the legacy of Leon Gray, with Steve Grogan and Ernie Adams commenting. (video)Inside the New England Patriots Hall of Fame committee meeting. (1 min. video)Patriots Unfiltered: Offensive weapons in the draft. (2 hours)LOCAL LINKSCBS Boston reports the World Series Champion Red Sox will also celebrate Super Bowl Champion Patriots at their home opener next Tuesday.Ryan Hannable tells us that David Andrews will represent the Patriots at the NFL Draft in Nashville, announcing one of the team’s 3rd-round picks.Tom E. Curran lists his Patriots offseason priorities, ranked in order of importance.1. Tight end.Ricky Doyle notes ESPN Insider Mike Sando talked with several NFL executives on where each team stands following this year’s free agency frenzy. Patriots’ biggest question for 2019 is the defensive line.Mike Dussault (PatsPropaganda) Pats Posits: Digging on draft; Biggest needs.Ryan Hannable gives us 5 wide receivers to keep an eye on for the Pats in NFL draft.David Latham (LastWordOnSports) Patriots 2019 NFL draft targets: UMass WR Andy Isabella - Texas A&M TE Jace Sternberger.Andrew Callahan updates the list of who the Patriots have been hosting on pre-draft visits.Matt Dolloff thinks veteran slot receiver Seth Roberts, just released by the Oakland Raiders, appears to be a good fit for New England.Doug Kyed thumbnails some AAF pass catchers for any potential hidden gems for the Patriots. Darren Hartwell relays an ex-Patriots staffer who sums up Julian Edelman’s toughness with a phenomenal (and expletive-laden) quote.Mike Reiss explains the criteria he used to bring up Randy Moss for discussion for consideration into the Patriots Hall of Fame.Phil Perry takes us behind the scenes of the Patriots Hall of Fame selection committee’s nomination process.Matt Dolloff reveals the initial nominees for 2019 Patriots Hall of Fame.Doug Kyed addresses his Friday Patriots Mailbag: Will New England make a splash trade at the draft?Adam London highlights Malcolm Mitchell (The Michael Holley podcast) on what separates Tom Brady from other athletes. Juwan Holmes (LastWordOnSports) Ranking every team’s pre-draft QB situation Womens Joejuan Williams Jersey , Part Three. Nos. 10-1. Pats 4th.Michael Hurley assesses the ugly relationship between Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy, calling it ‘a look at what the beginning of the end actually looks like’.Zack Cox hears Jets’ safety Jamal Adams doesn’t believe Rob Gronkowski will stay retired.Erin Walsh highlights Cris Carter on how he thinks the Patriots should draft a QB to prepare for the post-Brady era. /...and let him sit on the bench for six years?I don’t think so.Russ Goldman (PatsFans) Patriots Fourth and Two podcast: Should Patriots fans be panicked now by the offseason so far? (1 hour)Robert Alvarez (PatsFans) NFL Fan Therapy – bloopers and outtakes.NATIONAL NEWSMike Johnson (Pro Football Focus) Shaq Mason proving his worth as an unsung anchor along the Patriots offensive line.Bill Barnwell (ESPN) The 11 NFL quarterbacks who could get mega extensions in 2019. Tom Brady included.Mike Freeman (Bleacher Report) 10-Point Stance: Cards playing games with sudden interest in Bosa.Danny Heifetz (The Ringer) Presenting the NFL Unretirement Index: Jason Witten came back. Rob Gronkowski’s agent said he could. Jordy Nelson wouldn’t rule it out. Has unretirement talk replaced the retirement tour?Jeff Legwold and Jeremy Willis (ESPN) NFL draft glossary: Fluid hips, cow on ice and more.Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) Top 50 prospects for 2019 NFL Draft 4.0.Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFL teams not yet allowed to talk to AAF players.Terez Paylor (Yahoo! Sports) After NFL sends cautionary memo, AAF tells its players they can sign with NFL teams.Dan Graziano (ESPN) Why Russell Wilson is now the NFL’s most important quarterback. “He has a chance to set a new standard for contract guarantees...” /Hm...Gil Brandt (NFL.com) 2019 NFL Draft: Finding best team fits for five top RB prospects.Jim Reineking (USA Today) NFL uniforms: 13 Teams that should consider a change after the Jets. Patriots included. /Go home, you’re drunk.Nate Davis (USA Today) Ranking all 32 NFL uniforms: How does New York Jets’ new look rate? Patriots’ unis rank 18th./Buncha hatez!Geoff Schwartz (SB Nation) Ask a former NFL player: How would you change the offseason schedule? More.Tyler Dunne (Bleacher Report) What happened in Green Bay: A checked-out coach. A tuned-out QB. A soap opera where there should have been a dynasty. /In case you missed it.Charles Robinson (Yahoo! Sports) In Aaron Rodgers vs. Mike McCarthy, each side lost in widely known Packers feud.Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Tyler Dunne doubles down on claim of Mike McCarthy massages.Sean Wagner-McGough (CBS Sports) 2019 NFL Mock Draft: Patriots make a move, trade up to No. 21 (Seahawks) to pick Iowa TE Noah Fant.Cynthia Frelund (NFL.com) Analytics-based mock draft. Pats pick Ohio State QB Dwayne Haskins.EXTRACURRICULARA.J. Perez (USA Today) Robert Kraft won’t take diversion deal in sex spa case, at least not now.Ryan Hannable notes Michael Rubin, co-owner of both the Devils and 76ers, defends Robert Kraft in prostitution case: ‘He’s going to come through this stronger than ever’Alex Reimer’s Media Column: Showing Robert Kraft’s tapes would be nothing more than legally sanctioned revenge porn./Fully agree. No need to release them.Alex Reimer wants ‘grandstanding Houston police chief’ to give Michael Bennett an apology after charges are dropped.