Patriots shouldn’t take a tackle at No. 4

As he stood at the podium for his first pre-draft press conference as the coach of the New England Patriots, Mike Vrabel was asked a a simple yet complicated question.

“Mike, do you feel like there’s a tackle in this class that would be worthy of being taken at four overall?” NBC Sports’ Phil Perry asked.

The first word of Vrabel’s answer wasn’t ‘yes.’ In fact, in his 82-word response, he said there were starters at tackle in this draft, but never admitted, confirmed or even indicated there was somebody good enough to go at No. 4.

After choosing his words carefully, Vrabel decided to ask himself a different question that he could answer more comfortably.

“I think there’s some starting tackles that certainly will come in and start in the NFL. I think that that’s really what you start to look for, impact players. When you start picking that high, what they’re going to do for you, what’s the impact, what’s the position, you talk about premium positions. That’s where you weigh all the circumstances and end up making that pick. Do I think that there are starters in this draft at left tackle? Yes, I do.”

If there’s not a tackle good enough to pick at No. 4, the Patriots should select somebody else. There are too many questions about whether Will Campbell will end up eventually playing guard or whether Armand Membou can move from the right side to the left.

The Patriots are obviously hoping not to be picking this high again anytime soon. So they need a standout at this spot. Those guys might not even still be playing the position a year from now. It’s not worth reaching for a guy with short arms.

The Patriots should cross their fingers and hope for somebody to grab Shedeur Sanders so either Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter slides to them.

If not, take a shot at Mason Graham, Jalon Walker or look to trade down.

There’s a solid chance Josh Conerly Jr., Aireontae Ersery or Josh Simmons is still sitting there when the Patriots pick in the second round on Friday. And any one could very well turn out to be a better left tackle than Campbell or Membou.

Aaron Rodgers loves attention – Episode 613

Aaron Rodgers went on the Pat McAfee show on Thursday to give an update on his job search.

His big news? He’s not ready to decide yet and hasn’t ruled out retirement. In other words, no change to anything.

Rodgers has now followed Brett Favre to the Packers, to the Jets, and now to the distinction of being the most attention-needy man in sports.

The Kentucky Derby Favorite is named Journalism

Yes, there is a horse named Journalism running for the roses this year. Get ready for some amazing headlines.

Horses I love on name alone tend to end badly. Vautour had to be put down after a freak paddock accident.

Real Jeopardy! Clue

Sports clues from actual editions of America’s favorite quiz show. As always, mind the date:

CATEGORY: THERE’S A DRAFT IN THE ROOM $200: – Feb. 10, 2011

The first NFL draft was held in 1936 at the Ritz-Carlton in this city, & the hometown Eagles had the first pick

— Answer below

The world lost an amazing woman

I had never heard of Karenna Groff until earlier this week when she and her family died in a plane crash in New York. The former MIT soccer player from Weston was an example of what the NCAA hopes its athletes will become, especially in Division III.

Groff was the NCAA’s 2022 Woman of the Year, an award given for excellence on the field in the classroom, and in the community. Before becoming a medical student in New York, Groff did clinical research on epilepsy at Boston Children’s Hospital and worked to develop software that helped identify risks earlier in pregnancy.

During COVID, Groff helped design better PPE masks.

Who knows all she might have accomplished?

Double standard?

After Bill Belichick tried to ban Tom Brady’s snake-oil salesman trainer from being around the Patriots, he now has his girlfriend on the sideline at practice?

The Top 5

Top 5 Best Names of Potential 2025 NFL Draft Picks

These are the top five names that will sound great when Kevin Harlan calls them making a tackle or scoring a touchdown or will look terrific on the back of a jersey.

5 – Major Burns, S, LSU — M*A*S*H fans will call him “Ol’ Ferret Face”

4 – Chris Paul Jr. LB, Ole Miss — The son of Chris Paul. Not that Chris Paul. Just Chris Paul.

3 – Johnny Walker, EDGE, Missouri — He’d be No. 1 if he spelled it with an “ie.”

2 – Torricelli Simpkins III, C, South Carolina — I hope 25 years from now I’m still doing this and Torricelli Simpkins IV makes this column. He narrowly edged Fentrell Cypress III as the best III on the draft board.

1 – Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State — Bonus points for the fact that he looks like he’s headed for a great career.

Today in Boston Sports History

April 18 was a good day for Bill Russell. In 1962 he had 30 points and 40 rebounds to lead the Celtics to a 110-107 OT win over the Los Angeles Lakers for their fourth straight NBA title.

Exactly four years later, he was named the new coach of the Celtics to become the Black head coach in the NBA.