Peter King NFL Mock Draft: Patriots Pick 'Decade-Long Starter'

Peter King of NBC Sports released his annual NFL Mock Draft, and predicts the New England Patriots to juice up their offensive line.

If NFL Mock Draft rumors have shown anything, it's that the New England Patriots have options at the No. 14 spot.

According to Draftkings sportsbook, the most likely outcomes are the Patriots selecting an offensive lineman (+225) or a cornerback (+225) with their first-round selection. Peter King of NBC Sports agrees with their decision to beef up the offensive line in his latest mock draft - predicting New England to select Northwestern's Peter Skoronski.

Writes King:

Skoronski could be a plug-and-play guard wherever he goes. He started 33 games at left tackle for Northwestern and was a unanimous first-team all-American. But his arm length is about three inches short for ideal NFL tackle size, so the Patriots could move him inside. If I’m New England, I’m thrilled Skoronski lasted this long, and I grab him to start a decade for the franchise somewhere on the line.

A three-year starter for the Wildcats, Skoronski began his career as a true freshman in 2020 following now Los Angeles offensive tackle Rashawn Slater opting out of the COVID-shortened season. However, with arms measuring in at just a hair over 32 inches, the former four-star recruit could transition into the guard spot at the NFL level.

As the most decorated offensive-line prospect in this year's class, New England fans should be ecstatic if Skoronski falls to the No. 14 spot.

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