1. Mike Pouncey, C/G, Florida
2. Danny Watkins, G, Baylor
3. Stefen Wisniewski, C, Penn State
4. Rodney Hudson, C/G, Florida State
5. Benjamin Ijalana, G/T, Villanova
Center Mentions: Kristofer O'Dowd (USC), Tim Barnes (Missouri), Brandon Fusco (Slippery Rock), Zane Taylor (Utah)
Guard Mentions: Clint Boling (Georgia), Will Rackley (Lehigh), Stephen Schilling (Michigan), John Moffitt (Wisconsin)
This year's draft is plentiful in the 3rd and 4th rounds with project starters. While there are some clear cut top players (Pouncey, Watkins, Wisniewski, Hudson), there are plenty of guard prospects who can be drafted in the 3rd round, which may give the Patriots some leeway to draft a surprise or luxury player in the first two rounds. The Patriots are looking at having no elite quality interior linemen as LG Logan Mankins remains in a contract dispute, C Dan Koppen ages, and RG Dan Connolly struggles against stronger defensive linemen. As a result, the Patriots will most likely spend a pick or two on the interior line.
Who are some linemen you'd want me to look at?
Fastest 3 Cone Drill: Jason Kelce, C, Cincinnati, 7.22s
Fastest 40 Time: Jason Kelce, C, Cincinnati, 4.93s
Most Bench Press Repetitions: Ryan Bartholomew, C, Syracuse, 34 reps
Fastest Short Shuttle Time: Jason Kelce, C, Cincinnati, 4.14s
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The centers appear to be the combine stars, which means very little. If the Patriots take a center, it will be in the later rounds. This week, we'll see which interior linemen are good fits for the Patriots in the draft.