For the second NFL Draft in a row, the New England Patriots opted to double-dip at the offensive tackle position. After going with the first-round/Day 3 pairing of Will Campbell and Marcus Bryant in 2025, they went with Caleb Lomu and Dametrious Crownover this year.
Obviously, Campbell and Lomu are locks to make the roster this year based on their draft status and significant developmental upside. Bryant and Crownover, on the other hand, will have to spend this summer competing for what might not be more than one available spot on a depth chart also featuring veteran right tackle Morgan Moses.
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In order for the rookie Crownover to win that coveted spot, he will not just have to adapt quickly to playing in the NFL but also show some serious growth in multiple areas. He is looking forward to the challenge.
“I’m just dominant in the pass game, and just trying to make sure it’s something I hold to a higher standard,” he said shortly after getting drafted by the Patriots. “I’m still developing in the run game and making sure I’m getting better every time I step onto the field to practice it.”
Improving his run blocking is not the item on Crownover’s to-do list between now and roster cutdowns. He also has to show that he can successfully play on both sides of the line after spending a majority of his time in college as a right tackle.
In New England, meanwhile, the goal is to develop him into a swing tackle — something Patriots vice president of player personnel Ryan Cowden feels confident in.
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“We think Dametrious can contribute on both sides of the tackle position,” Cowden said.
“Dametrious is a massive individual. He’s got great length. He really has some pretty natural pass pro ability. I think ideally, with his size, both tackle positions. Inevitably the tackle position, it becomes left and right and your ability to play both sides.”
The 6-foot-7, 319-pound Crownover has the physical attributes to play on both sides of the line even though his experience is lacking. During his four-year career at Texas A&M, he played only 22 of 1,886 total offensive snaps at left tackle.
He does know what is asked of an NFL backup tackle, however, and has prepared accordingly.
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“It’s definitely something that I’ve been working on, knowing that when I got to this next level that they’re going to ask me to do,” he explained. “It’s something I’m not saying I’m 100% at. I would be so confident in my right side, but it’s something I’m still working on and getting there. But definitely something that I’m looking to do.”
