Perhaps the New England Patriots didn’t ignore their need for a young, developmental offensive tackle in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Patriots drafted three offensive linemen who played either guard or center in 2022 and no one who started at tackle last season with their 12 picks last weekend. But Eastern Michigan offensive lineman Sidy Sow, who has tackle size at 6-foot-5, 323 pounds and 33 5/8-inch arms, did start at left tackle back in 2018.

“My understanding is they’re gonna try Sow at tackle,” Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer wrote Tuesday.

New England also selected Troy’s Jake Andrews, who was a guard before moving to center in 2022, and UCLA’s Atonio Mafi, who was a defensive tackle before moving to guard. The Patriots have experimented with moving guards to tackle in the past with Michael Onwenu, and it went well before New England moved the Michigan product back permanently to guard last season.

Sow was solid as a freshman tackle in 2018, but it’s been a long time since he regularly played outside. He does have impressive athleticism for a man his size, clocking in with a 5.07-second 40-yard dash, 4.69-second short shuttle and 7.62-second 3-cone drill at the NFL Scouting Combine. He also registered a 9-foot, 2-inch broad jump, 32-inch vertical leap and 27 bench press reps of 225 pounds during the pre-draft process.

The Patriots could use a young tackle behind Trent Brown, Riley Reiff, Calvin Anderson and Conor McDermott. Only Anderson is signed through next season. The Patriots also drafted Andrew Stueber, who missed last season with injury, last year.

New England was criticized for not taking a tackle in the 2023 NFL Draft. They didn't make the safest pick, but at least they planned to add a younger option at the position.

Featured image via Eastern Michigan Athletics