New England Patriots NFL Draft Analysis for 2014 season and 2015 and Beyond
By Hal Bent
Dec 7, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Stanford Cardinal offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (73) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Round: 4, Pick: 40 (Overall: 140) Cameron Fleming, OT, Stanford:
Overview:
Cameron Fleming is a developmental right tackle who has NFL quality physical traits that could be molded into more as a right tackle in the future. He is six-foot-five and 323 pounds and will likely be spending a redshirt-type season of learning under new offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo. Fleming excelled as a road-grading tackle at Stanford in the running game but remains raw in pass protection.
2014 Role:
If New England is forced to start Fleming in 2014 it means one of two things: either the team suffered extraordinary injuries at the position or thirty-one other teams completely whiffed on their evaluation of Fleming. Fleming should be spending most of 2014 as inactive on game day and learning as much as possible from his position coach in training camp and during the season.
2015 and Beyond:
Fleming projects as a backup at right tackle for Sebastian Vollmer in the future. With backup tackle Marcus Cannon’s rookie contract expiring, his strong play filling in at tackle last season when Vollmer was injured may earn him a contract in free agency that New England cannot match. Fleming will be given every chance to earn the top backup role at tackle in 2015 and for beyond.
Similar pick in the past: Ryan O’Callaghan, T #136 overall – 2006
While O’Callaghan did not stick in New England despite stepping in as an emergency starter for six games in his rookie year, he had another two solid seasons in Kansas City before injuries ended his career prematurely. O’Callaghan was a solid right tackle who was able to carve out a role for himself in the NFL. As far as late round draft picks go, O’Callaghan was decent value. At this point, no one would be complaining about Fleming developing into a solid backup and spot starter.