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5 positions Patriots will address in remainder of 2016 NFL Draft

By Connor Fulton

Aug 30, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; Massachusetts Minutemen wide receiver Tajae Sharpe (1) runs with the ball for a touchdown during the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; Massachusetts Minutemen wide receiver Tajae Sharpe (1) runs with the ball for a touchdown during the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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2016 NFL Draft Joe Haeg
Feb 26, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; North Dakota State Bisons offensive lineman Joe Haeg (20) squares off in a drill against San Diego State Darrell Greene (19) during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Offensive tackle

The selection of Joe Thuney was certainly a good one, as Thuney is so versatile and is thus an asset in injury insurance. However, tackle is not where Thuney makes his bread, even though he has experience at left tackle. The Patriots need to continue suring-up the offensive line by selecting an experienced full-time tackle starter.

Sebastian Vollmer turns 32 this summer, and Nate Solder isn’t far behind him at 28. And backups Marcus Cannon, Sebastian Vollmer and LaAdrian Waddle don’t exactly put Patriots fans at ease when they fill-in for an injured starter.

Joe Haeg hopes to become the third North Dakota State offensive lineman to be drafted since 2012, and the Patriots would be a good suitor. The Patriots love to select offensive linemen who have helped pilot their college teams to championships. Just look at recent picks like Bryan Stork and Tre’ Jackson, both of whom were part of national championship-winning Florida State teams.

As for Haeg, he has won five consecutive national championships with the Bison. You can see why the Patriots would be prudent to take a flyer on Haeg.

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