With the 97th pick of the 2016 RCF Mock Draft, the New England Patriots select:
Joe Haeg, OT, North Dakota State
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW_Jnao5oBM
With depth and injury issues causing big problems last year, the Patriots felt it necessary to add another tackle in the mix to provide depth and an eventual replacement for Sebastian Vollmer. Haeg has played both left and right tackle and has the athleticism and coordination necessary in a starting tackle, which isn't easy to find bordering on a Day 3 pick. He'll need to add some bulk which, combined with being an FCS prospect, may keep him on the bench to start. However, given some time in an NFL weight program and some seasoning, Carson Wentz's blindside protector could be a quality starter down the road.
Overview
Haeg walked on at North Dakota State and redshirted in 2011, but he leaves as a two-time All-American and a member of five consecutive Mountain West title teams with the Bison.
"I was 6-foot-6 and always had the length, but only 235 pounds as a senior and wasn't getting a lot of attention as a recruit," Haeg told NFLDraftScout.com. "Most schools were worried about my weight and ability to add it. I heard from mostly Division-II schools in Minnesota, but then the summer before my senior year, North Dakota and North Dakota State both reached out.
"I knew I could play at that level and wanted to prove to everyone I could play at that level. I played my senior year and was leaning towards North Dakota, but the offensive line coach left and they gave my scholarship to a different guy. North Dakota State was always straight forward with me and I walked on there, which turned out to be a blessing and life-changing decision."
He earned the starting right tackle job in 2012 and started 29 games there as a freshman and sophomore.
With Billy Turner moving on to the NFL after the 2013 season, Haeg moved over to left tackle for the 2014 season, starting all 16 games as a junior and senior earning All-American honors as the Bison won their fourth and fifth FCS national titles.
"Joe has the feet of a dancer out there, setting up and cutting off rushers with his natural quicks," an NFL scout told NFLDraftScout.com in September. "He's also bigger than I thought. Definitely shows skills that we can work with on our team."
Haeg said he believes he can be effective on either side of the line.
"Give me a month or two and I could go back to right tackle," he told NDS. "A lot of it is just brain memory, switching from the right to the left side. It's a lot of the same stuff, the same stance. I'm very comfortable with both positions.
"With left tackle, there is a lot of pride that comes with that. The left tackle is one of the better linemen on the line, protecting the quarterback's blind side. I'm very comfortable at both."
STRENGTHS: An athletic mover with a smooth lateral shuffle off the snap and the range to easily reach the perimeter, blocking outside the numbers and at the second level. He squares well to his target and carries his weight well, displaying terrific reaction quickness to handle secondary moves. Also shows excellent vision to recognize multiple pressures and communicate with his teammates to have every rusher accounted for on the left side of the line. He showed impressive balance, agility and strength in pass protection against an uptick in competition in Senior Bowl practices.
WEAKNESSES: While he's done a nice job adding weight since high school, Haeg has a lean lower body, which hinders his ability to sink and anchor vs. bull rushers. He often keeps his hands in the holster too long, causing him to be low and late with his punch. Has the quickness to handle edge speed, but needs to continue and develop his core strength to better match up against power. Important during the pre-draft process that Haeg proves himself against FBS competition.
IN OUR VIEW: With improved hand technique and anchor strength, he has starting potential at the next level.
The Seattle Seahawks and @Biw are now on the clock.