Dane Brugler Highlights Day 3 Pick Who Could 'Suprise' For Patriots

Texas A&M offensive lineman Dametrious Crownover

Dane Brugler Highlights Day 3 Pick Who Could 'Suprise' For Patriots originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New England Patriots brought in nine new players during the 2026 NFL Draft, with six of them being selected on Day 3.

Day 3 presents a great opportunity for teams to add depth and rotational players who can contribute this season or in the years to come. One of the players the Patriots selected in the sixth round was Texas A&M offensive tackle Dametrious Crownover, and The Athletic's draft analyst Dane Brugler thinks Crownover could be the Day 3 pick that surprises for New England.

"Though he doesn’t have nearly the same ceiling as Lomu, Crownover is a former tight end with outstanding length (86-inch wingspan) and a skill set that suggests his best football is still ahead of him. Quintayvious Hutchins in the late seventh round was also solid value," Brugler wrote on Monday.

Crownover played four seasons at Texas A&M, appearing in 47 games over the course of his college career, including 13 in three consecutive seasons.

Pro Football Focus ranked Crownover as the 211th-best offensive tackle out of 632 last season. He placed 60th in run blocking but was significantly lower, at 418th, in pass blocking.

It will be interesting to see how the Patriots handle Crownover this season and whether they will try to get him ready to be a possible starter in 2027.