2023 NFL Draft results: Patriots prioritize OL with Jake Andrews, Sidy Sow
Why o-linemen Jake Andrews, Sidy Sow are good fits for Patriots originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
After using their first three picks on defenders, the New England Patriots turned their attention to the offensive trenches in Round 4 of the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Patriots selected Troy center Jake Andrews with the No. 107 overall pick Saturday, then took Eastern Michigan guard Sidy Sow at No. 120 after trading up to take a kicker (Maryland's Chad Ryland) at No. 112.
Updated list of Patriots' 2023 NFL Draft picks in Rounds 4-7
Why did New England use two picks on interior offensive linemen considering their seemingly more pressing need at tackle? In the case of Andrews and Sow, they fit the mold of what Bill Belichick typically looks for at the position.
Our Phil Perry listed both Andrews and Sow as "Prototypical Patriots" offensive linemen in this year's class, using New England's previous picks at the position as a guide for what they like. Here's what Perry wrote about both players:
Jake Andrews, Troy (6-foot-3, 305 pounds)
"Andrews sneaks onto this list with a 5.15-second 40 time to go along with what's considered real shock in his hands. He has 37 starts to his name, and even though he's not a special athlete in confined spaces, he has enough power to warrant placement here.
"Not many linemen have the kind of power Andrews exhibited at the Senior Bowl against defenders like Keeanu Benton from Wisconsin and Keion White from Georgia Tech, who will likely be higher picks."
Sidy Sow, Eastern Michigan (6-foot-5, 323 pounds)
"Sow doesn't hail from a Power Five program, but he tested like an NFL-caliber athlete. He recorded excellent jumps in Indy this year, with a 32-inch vertical (91st percentile) and a 9-foot-2 broad (90th).
"He also clocked a quick 40 time with a 5.07-second run (90th). His three-cone (7.62 seconds) and short shuttle (4.69 seconds) weren't elite, but they were above average."
The Patriots' starting center, David Andrews (no relation to Jake), turns 31 in July, so perhaps the team has the future in mind with Andrews and Sow.
Jake Andrews also has a New England connection: His offensive line coach at Troy last season was Cole Popovich, who spent five seasons as a Patriots assistant coach from 2016 to 2020.
