2022 NFL Draft: Grading Patriots No. 29 pick of Cole Strange

The New England Patriots select an offensive guard from Tennessee-Chattanooga, Cole Strange. How will strange fare in New England?

If the trades in the second half of the first round were not enough, the New England Patriots made the most New England Patriots draft picks at No. 29 overall in guard Cole Strange from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

The pick makes sense because the Patriots traded Shaq Mason to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a fifth-round pick. Boston College guard Zion Johnson was off the board to the Chargers at pick 17, and Texas A&M guard Kenyon Greet was gone at pick 15 to the Houston Texans.

Strange was the top-rated guard by many scouts, though you might not know his name.  When the Patriots drafted Logan Mankins in 2005, not many people knew his name either; it turned out very well.

The Patriots do a great job of evaluating players off of the beaten path and do well with these types of players.

How Cole Strange fits the Patriots

The Patriots love players who have played a lot of snaps at the collegiate level, and Strange fits that profile. He is a bit light for the NFL at 304 pounds, but that is something that his weight can quickly remedied with Strange’s new level of income.

Strange has tremendous footwork and is strong despite the lack of size. If Strange gets his hands on you, it is hard to get out of his grasp. Strange plays with a nasty disposition and should compete early for the starting guard spot.

Grade: B