The Patriots’ front office seemed to shock the NFL world, including myself, in this year’s NFL Draft. The biggest surprise to most was the choice of Cole Strange in the first round. Was this a the right pick at #29? Or is it time to start questioning GM Bill Belichick’s Draft moves?

First, who is Cole Strange?

Hailing from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, offensive guard Cole Strange was a standout on the offensive side of the ball for the Mocs and it doesn’t come as a shock that he has made his way to the NFL. During his time at Chattanooga, Strange was a three-time All Southern Conference player, as well as a two time recipient of the So-Con Jacobs Blocking Award during his five years at the university. Strange has been known for his diversity and familiarity with all of the offensive line, starting at three different positions during his tenure with the Mocs. He is mainly an offensive guard, which is the position we will most likely see him in when he begins with New England, but it is impressive and crucial how familiar he is with other spots on the line. This is something that helps with injuries and shifts that occur during any given moment of any given season.

Strange stands at a tall six-feet, five-inches, and weighs in solidly at more than 300 pounds. At this size, he is able to move around on the offensive line, which will help if injuries pursue throughout the season. Strange was a reliable captain of the Chattanooga offensive line, and will look to take an early role as a leader on the Patriots line as they look to get younger and more athletic.

Was this the right pick for the Patriots?

Many fans and NFL analysts are calling for answers on this pick. Strange, projected to go sometime in the 3rd or 4th round of the draft, was taken by Belichick and the Patriots at #29 of the first round. With other blaring issues to look to fill as well, what exactly were they thinking? Well, the answer is simple. They need a fill for the left guard and potentially a tackle spot, and Strange was a good candidate in their eyes. He fits the description for a Patriots guard, with this choice reminding many of the Patriots drafting Logan Mankins back in 2005 at #32. Mankins was also a highly recruited and projected pick, whereas Strange was projected to be available through the second and maybe third rounds. But was this the right decision in the moment?

In my opinion, no it wasn’t. I was anticipating that the first round would for a defensive player, preferably linebacker, and the second or third rounds were for offensive players. With a clear lack in speed and athleticism in the middle of the field, the team is in dire need of a linebacker presence that can attack the line of scrimmage and drop quickly into coverage in between the hash marks. This is a very interesting pick, and in my opinion we won’t know if it’ll work out or not for at least a couple seasons. Strange has showed that he can be “that” guy on the offensive side of the line, so it’ll be interesting and fun to see him transition to the Patriots and the NFL.