Patriots Investing Major Pre-Draft Resources In 6'9 Offensive Tackle
· Yahoo Sports
Patriots Investing Major Pre-Draft Resources In 6'9 Offensive Tackle originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New England Patriots have filled every hole in their offensive line heading into the 2026 season. By signing left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, the Patriots have their Week 1 starting five all but set in stone.
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However, right guard Mike Onwenu’s contract expires next spring, and right tackle Morgan Moses will be 36 years old in 2027. The team is expected to select at least one offensive lineman in next month’s draft, and it appears they have taken a liking to one player in particular.
SI’s draft insider Justin Melo reported that the Patriots will host Memphis offensive tackle Travis Burke on a top-30 visit in April. The announcement comes on the heels of the Patriots traveling to Memphis for a scheduled in-person meeting with the massive prospect.
Burke stands a towering 6-foot-9 and weighs a solid 325 pounds. Despite his menacing stature, the oversized lineman moves incredibly well. He ran a 5.17 40-yard dash at the combine and paired it with an 8-foot-11 broad jump. These numbers put him in the NFL Combine's all-time 96th percentile for height and the 69th percentile in speed.
Even with his promising measurables, Burke ranks as just the 230th prospect on NFL.com’s big board, and the consensus 63rd overall offensive lineman in the draft.
“Burke is a tall tackle with plus drive-blocking talent for his body type,” Lance Zierlein wrote on NFL.com. “He uses flexible hips and ankles, along with well-placed hands, to create leverage at the point of attack. He finishes blocks with good aggression when the opportunity arises. A lack of short-area quickness limits his range as a run blocker and in pass protection. He’s scheme-dependent in the run game and will need help managing NFL edge speed, but strong hands allow for longer sustained control when he lands cleanly. There are areas of concern that might not be coachable, but Burke’s length and demeanor work in his favor.”
Burke is a projected undrafted free agent, but with New England now speaking to him on numerous occasions, keep an eye on the tall tackle on day three of the NFL Draft.