New England Patriots NFL Draft Analysis for 2014 season and 2015 and Beyond
By Hal Bent
Sep 21, 2013; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators offensive linesman Jon Halapio (67) works out prior to the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Round: 6, Pick: 3 (Overall: 179) Jon Halapio, OG, Florida:
Overview:
This draft pick continued New England’s late round focus of building depth on the offensive line. A potential future starter at right guard, Jon Halapio adds power and size to the offensive line. Halapio doesn’t appear to have the versatility and quickness that the Patriots generally have with their interior offensive linemen, but at six-foot-three and 323 pounds Halapio brings size and bulk to the guard position. Halapio brings Logan Mankins toughness to the opposite guard position. He was a two-time captain at Florida and can resume his camp battles with former teammate Dominique Easley. Halapio dropped in the draft due to be limited at the scouting combine due to his torn pectoral muscle. Of course, Halapio also played most of his senior season with the injury.
2014 Role:
With Dan Connolly and his gigantic cap number and limited production at right guard expect the coaching staff to give the sixth round pick every chance to win the job in training camp and free up cap space for in-season moves. While it may be overly ambitious to expect a sixth round draft pick to step in and start as a rookie, a realistic role would be a backup role at guard on the 53 man roster.
2015 and Beyond:
With Dan Connolly and Marcus Cannon likely moving on from New England after 2014 there are positions on the offensive line depth chart turning over. In the mind of the New England coaching staff Halapio is the type of player who could be a future starter at guard. Whether he puts in the work and reaches his potential remains to be seen.
Similar pick in the past: Marcus Cannon, G/T #138 overall – 2011
Like Cannon had in the 2011 NFL Draft, Halapio is an extra-large lineman with NFL size who fell due to injury concerns. While Cannon fell due to his diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma requiring chemotherapy, Halapio fell due to his torn pectoral muscle. With Cannon turning out to be a steal as a fifth round draft pick, it only makes sense to try and replicate their success in the late rounds with Halapio.