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The Patriots cap off Day 3 with their third interior offensive line selection, this time taking Memphis center Dustin Woodard with the 230th overall selection. Woodard is a 4-year starter at center at Memphis and helped improve the ceiling of their offense. He’s undersized, measuring in at 6-foot-1 295, but comes with an intriguing athletic profile that could make him a valuable pivot in a couple years on the offensive line.
Woodard will be in competition for one of the backup interior line spots, but his overall profile is very reminiscent of current incumbent center David Andrews. Both were undersized players who were athletic, tenacious, and intelligent blockers who needed to gain strength to become an NFL starter. Andrews started right away as a rookie, but Woodard has the luxury to sit behind Andrews and learn from him.
The Patriots don’t have an answer at the center position beyond 2020, Andrews’ final year under contract, but Woodard could be that guy. Give him a year to add weight and strength and he could develop into a potential starting center in the NFL.
Poll
How would you grade the Patriots drafting Dustin Woodard?
This poll is closed
-
15%
A
(262 votes) -
32%
B
(537 votes) -
34%
C
(570 votes) -
11%
D
(182 votes) -
5%
F
(98 votes)