Another pro about moving Dunker inside is that he’ll be a huge left guard, with a 92nd percentile wingspan (82 ⅛”) at 6-5, 319 pounds. His rugged play style and wide body would pair well with Campbell. Athletically, switching his position to guard would give him an elite 9.65 out of 10 relative athletic score, and he also killed the agility drills (class-best 4.63s short shuttle), which are good indicators of NFL success. From a testing standpoint, Dunker has a similar athletic profile to fellow Iowa alum Brandon Scherff, who had a great NFL career after moving from tackle to guard.
T/G Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern (Consensus Ranking: 65)
Along with Dunker, Tiernan is another college tackle who could move inside to guard at the next level. The Northwestern product measured in with 32 ¼” arms and a 79.5″ wingspan at the combine, which puts him below the tackle threshold. Although he didn’t run the 40-yard dash, Tiernan’s jumps were great (35.5″ vert, 98th percentile at OG) and he looked good going through drill work. On film, Tiernan looks like a refined prospect with smooth footwork, a stout anchor, and great hand-fighting skill. His measurables might not allow him to stick at tackle, but he could probably play tackle in a pinch or be a starting guard. Tiernan could be a day-two target for the Patriots as a possible tackle-guard flex who could settle at left guard.
OG Jalen Farmer, Kentucky (Consensus Ranking: 147)
As a two-year starter at right guard, Farmer was a little shaky at the Senior Bowl last month. However, he delivered a solid showing at the combine with a 9.69 out of 10 relative athletic score to go along with a power-oriented playing style. In Mobile, he appeared to have some issues with movement blocks and protecting his edges, but a solid athletic profile will garner a closer look. His play strength and athleticism seem like fits for the Patriots at either guard spot, displaying people-moving strength on double teams against NFL-caliber competition.
OT Jude Bowry, Boston College (Consensus Ranking: 151)
At some point, the Patriots are going to tap into the O’Brien-Vrabel relationship to draft a Boston College prospect, so we’ll shoot our shot with Bowry. At 6-5, 314 pounds with 33.75-inch arms, Bowry has the requisite size and athleticism to push for a top backup or swing tackle role. A left tackle at Boston College, Bowry posted a 9.37 out of 10 relative athletic score. His elite explosion grades (34.5″ vert) show up on film in how he fires out of his stance and his ability to reach landmarks with good range at tackle. Like last offseason, I’m sure we’ll see the Patriots represented at Boston College’s Pro Day to check out Bowry.
OT Markel Bell, Miami (Consensus Ranking: 160)
If we’re talking developmental tackle projects, why not take a chance on a 6-9, 346-pound prospect who profiles like a right tackle in the Patriots system? The Trent Brown comparisons are easy because of his size, but there are also similarities: hulking tackles with light feet who play to their strengths. Bell only ran the 40-yard dash and clocked a 1.84s 10-yard split, which only landed him in the 22nd percentile. But you saw his ability to get out of his stance quickly and burst into his movement blocks in his drill work. Bell will need to work around limited athleticism and manage his play speed, but there’s nothing wrong with betting on size.
OG DJ Campbell, Texas (Consensus Ranking: 172)
After an impressive on-field workout, I’m adding Campbell to my list as a potential day-three fit at guard. The Texas product started three seasons at right guard in college and posted an impressive 8.49 out of 10 relative athletic score, showing off better athleticism than expected. Campbell had some issues with body control and sustaining blocks at Texas, but he has noticeable power that would fit a downhill run scheme. Campbell has elite length (34.25″ arms), is a wide body (82 1/8″ wingspan), and brings good functional strength to an O-Line room. Maybe a late-round flier to add depth at guard.
OT Aamil Wagner, Notre Dame (Consensus Ranking: 173)
Wagner is an interesting day-three tackle prospect who was a team captain and two-year starter at right tackle for the Irish. Wagner plays with an upright playing style, but he has NFL-caliber power, length (34.5″ arms), and checked the athleticism box with an 8.92 out of 10 relative athletic score. There’s enough there to project Wagner into a swing tackle role as a high-level backup if he can improve his footwork and pad level to be more consistent with his technique.
OG Micah Morris, Georgia (Consensus Ranking: 333)
Okay, now we’re getting super deep into day three. However, the Georgia left guard will likely receive draftable grades now after he posted an elite 9.98 out of 10 relative athletic score, the fifth-best mark by an offensive guard in combine history out of 1,748 prospects. Morse has the baseline power and athleticism to make an NFL roster, but needs to work on his technique (high pads) to hit his ceiling. Still, taking late-round fliers on 6-5, 334-pound guards with excellent athletic profiles is what day three is all about.