New England Patriots: examining the practice squad

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4. OT Cameron Fleming

On Monday afternoon, it surfaced that the Patriots released rookie Xzavier Dickson in order to make room for Fleming on the active roster. Fleming, a 2014 fourth-rounder is definitely more useful than that 2015 seventh-round pick.

Fleming has been quietly improving himself as an offensive lineman since the Patriots drafted him out of Stanford last spring. In addition, one thing that Fleming doesn’t lack is smarts; he double-majored in aeronautics and astronautics in college.

It never hurts to have an extra offensive lineman who has a year of experience in the Pats’ system. I, for one, am glad that Fleming took Dickson’s spot on the practice squad.

3. OL Blaine Clausell

The Pats snagged Clausell after the Baltimore Ravens released him this past Friday. At 6-foot-6 and nearly 340 pounds, Clausell is hard to miss when he’s on the field. He played 49 games (started 38) at left tackle during his Mississippi State career.

Clausell was a focal point of a Mississippi State offensive line that broke 13 school offensive records. Consider him a promising offensive line prospect that needs time to develop. No better place for that than the practice squad.

Next: 2. Chris Barker & 1. Jimmy Staten