Typically, the New England Patriots have some sixth sense during the NFL Draft.
They seem to find unheralded players who had productive and lengthy careers.
Last year, they selected quarterback Mac Jones who helped them make a postseason return.
That level of success could be attributed to head coach Bill Belichick having a detailed profile of the player he wants.
After decades of coaching and evaluating talent, navigating the draft is second nature to him.
However, the Patriots got some laughs after selecting offensive guard Cole Strange in the first round.
But Providence Journal’s Mark Daniels revealed the reason behind choosing Strange.
I talked to a league source about Cole Strange. He wasn't getting out of the second round. Don't fall for the 'third round grade' talk.
One NFL offensive line coach. who worked him out said if Strange played at Alabama, he'd be considered a surefire first-round prospect.
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) April 29, 2022
Daniels tweeted, “I talked to a league source about Cole Strange. He wasn’t getting out of the second round. Don’t fall for the ‘third round grade’ talk. One NFL offensive line coach. who worked him out said if Strange played at Alabama, he’d be considered a surefire first-round prospect.”
The source refers to Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay’s reaction to their pick.
McVay said, “How about that? We wasted our time watching him, thinking he’d be at 104.”
Playing For A Lesser-Known School Was Strange’s Only Mistake
At least one offensive line coach vouched for Strange being a first-round talent.
Unfortunately, playing at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga might have played against him.
Scouts and team executives always look first at talent from prominent football schools.
It’s the reason they have multiple players getting selected in one draft.
The quality of opposition might also work against Strange as he became the biggest dark horse in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Either McVay is right or Belichick pulled off another draft-day heist, depending on how he plays.
NEXT: Bill Belichick Seems To Have Reversed Course On A Past Claim