Could the Pats take an O-Lineman at #7?

There's been a new trend over the past couple weeks with the latest NFL mock craps having the Patriots taking an offensive lineman with the #7 overall pick. Early on there was the occasional mention of Boise State's Ryan Clady being a potential target but the newest name to enter the fray is Virginia Guard/Tackle Branden Albert. Even the mention of the Pats not taking a defensive playmaker is enough to send Pats fans into a tizzy but as we all know nothing is out of the question. No one predicted the Patriots taking Logan Mankins in the first round a couple years ago. A shock at the time. A genius move when we look back at it.

So could the Pats take someone like Albert or Clady at #7 overall? Let's not forget that the entire left side of the offensive line went to the Pro Bowl last year including center Dan Koppen. That leaves us with Right Guard Stephen Neal and Right Tackles by commitee Nick Kaczur and Ryan O'Callaghan. Though Neal was injured in the Super Bowl the Sporting News reports that he will be ready to go for 2008. There's no doubt that the Patriots offensive line was abused in the Super Bowl but that doesn't mean we can just discount the fact that Tom Brady was well protected for the 18 wins before that. Still, if Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli believe that Clady or Albert would improve their offensive line they will absolutely consider them.

Albert has been shooting up a lot of people's draft boards mainly because he has the size of an NFL tackle but has enough speed that he played Guard for most of his time at Virginia. So he's got versatility and zero injury concerns. Here's an interview over at a Steelers fan site with him. Clady's biggest strike comes in the form of his leaked Wonderlic score which was reportedly just a 13 (Albert scored a 23). 13 is somwhere between Jessica Simpson and pavement in terms of intelligence. Still most rankings have him as the second best tackle in the draft behind Michigan's Jake Long.

 Trying to predict what the Patriots will do on draft day is an exercise in futility but Patriots Nation is just about unanimous that cornerback and linebacker need to be addressed early and often this year. Branden Albert is absolutely in the mix but ultimately the needs on defense are too great, especially with so many viable options in this years draft class at those positions. The offensive line is already better than average with solid depth behind the starters.  Most likely they can pick up a less-polished O-lineman in the later rounds as they will have a year or two to develop and learn the ropes.