Patriots Reportedly Met With Draft Prospect Who Could Fill Big Need
One of the highest-graded offensive tackle prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft apparently has met with the Patriots.
Oregon product Josh Conerly Jr. had a “pretty good” meeting with those representing the Patriots at the Senior Bowl, as reported by The Patriots Beat’s Andrew Guindon.
Conerly is ranked as Daniel Jeremiah’s No. 38 prospect and fourth offensive tackle. Conerly sits behind LSU’s Will Campbell, Texas’ Kelvin Banks and Ohio State’s Josh Simmons on the NFL draft expert’s top 50 prospects. Campbell and Banks have been floated as potential first-round options for New England.
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“Conerly has an athletic frame with solid bulk and long arms,” Jeremiah wrote of Conerly, who played left tackle at Oregon. “In the pass game, he pops out of his stance with quick feet and is patient with his hands. He can cut off speed rushers and effectively redirect versus counters. He does have some hip tightness and lacks ideal sink and bend. He lunges on occasion, putting himself in bad positions.
“In the run game, he fits well initially but needs to improve his ability to stay attached and finish. He plays under control at the second level and out in space. Overall, Conerly isn’t an elite athlete, but he has the tools to develop into a solid starter in time.”
Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi watched Conerly up close in Mobile, Ala. on Tuesday, and said he looked “very smooth on his feet” and “athletic.” Conerly, however, was on the wrong end of a right tackle rep Wednesday.
Conerly measured at 6-foot-4 and 313 pounds with 34-inch arms and an 81-inch wingspan, per Giardi.
The Patriots won’t draft Conerly with the No. 4 pick in April’s event, but depending on how New England uses its first-rounder, he could make sense when Mike Vrabel’s team is back on the clock in the second round.