Welcome to Potential Patriots!

Each day leading up to the NFL Draft on Thursday, the Herald will introduce prospects the Patriots are likely targeting position by position. The Pats have nine draft picks, starting at No. 4 overall. As for their other picks, the Patriots are expected to address offensive tackle and wide receiver, though they could pad their depth at virtually any position.

Below is a breakdown of the Patriots’ best prospect fits at offensive tackle:

Ht/Wt: 6-6, 319

Projected round: 1st

Scouting report: The odds-on favorite to be the Patriots’ pick at No. 4 overall, Campbell is a consensus top-10 prospect. He’s exceptionally athletic for his size and position, fast (4.98 in the 40-yard dash), agile and strong. He’s experienced, with 38 career starts at left tackle over three years. Campbell also brings ideal nastiness and leadership (two-year captain) to a position that has lacked both in recent years.

Even on his lesser reps, Campbell’s core strength and balance allow him to recover against elite rushers. He allowed just two sacks in college. Concerns about his arm length and wingspan (seventh percentile for offensive tackles) could eventually force him to move to guard, but for now the Patriots see Campbell as a tackle, and fans should hear his name called early Thursday night.

Ht/Wt: 6-4, 332

Projected round: 1st

Scouting report: Another three-year starter, Membou dominated at right tackle for the Tigers with power and athleticism. He clocked a 4.91 in the 40 at the combine, cranked out 31 bench press reps at 225 pounds and validated the explosiveness he shows on tape jumping out of his stance with elite marks in the broad and vertical jumps. Membou plays with great body control and excels in zone-blocking schemes.

He is short for the position and can get overpowered against opposing defensive ends that beat him off the line, but Membou widely projects to be an above-average starting tackle in the NFL.

Ht/Wt: 6-5, 317

Projected round: 1st

Scouting report: A torn patellar tendon in October sent Simmons down some draft boards after it initially appeared he could become a top-10 pick. Still, as a two-year starting left tackle, he is expected to go in the top 20 because of his rare athleticism, light feet and balance. Simmons also played right tackle at San Diego State in 2022, the year before he transferred to Ohio State.

Ht/Wt: 6-5, 311

Projected round: 1st-2nd

Scouting report: Conerly is a projected late first-round pick with excellent movement skills and strong tape in pass protection. He allowed just six pressures over his last dozen starts, per The Athletic, and helped Oregon shut down All-American edge rusher and projected top-3 pick Abdul Carter during the Big Ten Championship Game. Conerly would do well to get stronger, but his natural talent and experience against high-level competition (two-year starter) makes it easy to project him as a starter at the next level.

Ht/Wt: 6-4, 317

Projected round: 2nd

Scouting report: Jackson replaced Simmons after his October injury, moving from left guard to left tackle. His play at tackle improved rapidly down the stretch of a championship season and sent his draft stock soaring. Jackson has good strength and checks several other boxes (53 career games, high football character and discipline with few penalties). The question is whether the Patriots view him as a tackle or guard.

Either way, they could land another quality lineman at 38th overall.

Ht/Wt: 6-6, 336

Projected round: 3rd-4th

Scouting report: A talented prospect, Belton comes with concerns about his technique, hand placement and past reported weight issues. But the talent might make him worth the risk late on Day 2. Belton is a massive player who plays with requisite edge and logged 32 career starts at left tackle. He was a three-year starter for the Wolfpack.

Ht/Wt: 6-7, 325

Projected round: 5th

Scouting report: Hinton projects as a swing tackle in the NFL, thanks to his prototypical size and length. He also recorded 12-plus starts at left and right tackle between his time at Michigan and Stanford. Hinton started last season at left tackle in a run-heavy, multiple scheme at Michigan where he was named All-Big Ten honorable mention. In his two years at Michigan, he was whistled for one penalty.