The New England Patriots are in the middle-to-end stages of a full rebuild, but it'll go nowhere fast if they don't rebuild up front. Yes, Drake Maye needs receivers, but he also needs time. And right now, that’s the one thing New England’s offensive line can’t give him.
Garrett Bradbury was a short-term Band-Aid at center. Cole Strange, coming off injury, is in a contract year. There’s no long-term anchor in the middle of this line, and that’s a problem for a team trying to bring along a young quarterback. Enter Drew Kendall.
The Boston College standout doesn’t come with elite measurables or freaky traits, but he’s as technically refined and consistent as they come—the kind of high-floor lineman that stabilizes the interior for the next five years. Here’s our full scouting profile on a local name who might just fit the Patriots’ plan perfectly.
Boston College OL Drew Kendall 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Notes
- Height: 6-foot-4
- Weight: 299 pounds
- Recruiting: 2021 4-star, No. 136 national, No. 9 IOL
- First-team All-ACC (2024), Team Captain, Shrine Bowl invite, 37 career starts at center
- Father, Pete Kendall, was a first-round pick (No. 21 overall, 1996) and started 193 career NFL games
Positives
- Efficient zone blocker with excellent leverage and grip strength
- Fluid footwork and strong angles when climbing, pulling, and sealing
- Compact frame with solid anchor and recovery ability in pass protection
- Technically advanced with active hands and refined strike timing
Kendall isn’t flashy, but he’s polished. He’s a smooth mover who excels in zone concepts, winning with smart angles and consistent leverage. His hands are accurate, his balance is steady, and he almost never gets completely out of phase on a rep. Whether he’s redirecting on a stunt or reaching the second level on a combo block, Kendall shows the kind of timing and control that comes from being a three-year starter with NFL bloodlines.
What stands out most is how sticky he is. He doesn’t blow defenders off the ball, but he stays attached and rarely loses cleanly. His ability to “die slowly” against bull-rushers—absorbing pressure and staying square—makes him dependable in protection. He may not offer the kind of upside that’ll get teams excited, but coaches will trust him to execute and communicate up front from Day 1.
Negatives
- Below-average mass and length for an interior lineman
- Lacks the drive strength to displace nose tackles on base blocks
- Can get walked back or picked off on delayed blitzes and twists
Kendall’s biggest limitations are physical. He’s not a power player and doesn’t have the sand in his pants to anchor solo against top-end interior bull-rushers. When asked to reset the line of scrimmage on down blocks or create vertical movement in the run game, he gets stalemated or rolled back.
The other concern is how his size affects his recovery when things get messy. He’s fine when he wins first contact, but long-levered defenders with a quick secondary move can get into his frame and collapse the pocket. He’ll need to improve his lower-body strength and timing against more athletic interior rushers to avoid becoming a liability on passing downs.
Drew Kendall NFL Player Comparison:
- Primary Comp: Nick Harris
- Alternative: Drew Dalman
- Floor Comp: James Empey
Nick Harris is a strong comp for Kendall—both are undersized, athletic centers who win with footwork, leverage, and smarts rather than brute force. Like Harris, Kendall thrives in zone-blocking schemes where he can use angles and movement to his advantage.
Drew Dalman reflects the same style of technician with high football IQ and the ability to sustain blocks through positioning and effort. Neither offers much positional flexibility, but both carve out their roles with consistency and mobility.
Drew Kendall 2025 NFL Draft Grade: 4th/5th round
Kendall’s draft stock won’t climb due to testing or traits, but he’s one of the most fundamentally sound interior linemen in the class. If you need a center who can handle zone-blocking responsibilities, hold his own in pass protection, and lead with toughness and experience, he checks every box. He won’t anchor a line on his own, but he’ll raise the floor of whatever unit he joins. Day 3 pick with clear starter potential.