Name: OT Anthony Castonzo
School: Boston College
Size: 6'7, 311 lbs
Expected Round: 1st
3 Cone: 7.25s
Career Stats: Click Here (Started freshman season at RT, started final three seasons at LT)
Player Previews: CBS; Walter Football; NFL Combine [If you would like your website included, please e-mail me!]
Strengths: Elite size and technically sound. Incredible amount of experience. Great lineman pedigree from Boston College. Solid pass blocker with agility to stick with power rushers. Highly intelligent player. Great character player. Room to grow into his frame. Able to form a pocket by staving off the opposition. Quick enough to get a good first step in the run game.
Weaknesses: Struggles to block speed rushers. Needs more bulk because he struggles hold his position against some strong rushers. Seems to lunge at rushers turning the corner. Needs more bulk to clear lanes for the running game. Needs more overall strength.
Why and Why Not the Patriots after the jump, and my final verdict!
Why the Patriots?: Castonzo's main weakness is his need for more bulk and strength, and his frame can fit that. He's technically sound and he's intelligent and teachable. He worked with Dante Scarneccia, so the coach wanted to see how the lineman learns. He's a high character guy with plenty of upside. He seems like a Patriots' lunch pail lineman.
Why Not the Patriots?: On one hand, he may not be as NFL-ready as Gabe Carimi allowing the Patriots to draft a different tackle, and on the other, his upside might cause him to be drafted in the top 15. If the Patriots go defense with their first pick, they won't be able to take Castonzo.
Verdict: There's no doubt that Castonzo struggles against speed rushers and he needs more beef to become a better blocker in both the run and the pass. How does he add speed while still gaining weight? That's a question. That said, he has an elite frame and, with greater technique, could develop into an elite tackle. He has the best combination of pass blocking, run blocking, and upside in this draft. He's definitely a work in progress who needs to bulk up to be a better tackle and I believe if he improves his technique, he can become a better blocker against speed rushers. He has the athletic tools; he just has to put everything together. Castonzo is a Patriots type tackle and I wouldn't be surprised if they drafted him. The only reason the Patriots would go in a different direction would be for a different position.
Yes, he was eaten alive by Robert Quinn as a junior. Yes, he struggled against speed rushers. I fully believe that he has the intelligence to improve his technique and the frame to add muscle and weight.
Anthony Castonzo vs UNC (Robert Quinn)