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Texas A&M OL Coach Shares High Praise For Patriots Rookie Tackle
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- Texas A&M OL Coach Shares High Praise For Patriots Rookie Tackle
Texas A&M OL Coach Shares High Praise For Patriots Rookie Tackle originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The New England Patriots used a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on an intriguing offensive line prospect.
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New England selected Dametrious Crownover out of Texas A&M, who's set to turn 25 in September. The 6-foot-7 tackle has plenty of experience, as was the starting tackle for two years, after beginning his career as a tight end.
Although Crownover won't be guaranteed a roster spot, his former offensive line coach at Texas A&M, Adam Cushing, has high confidence that Crownover will have plenty of success in the NFL.
"His best football is ahead of him," Cushing said, via the Boston Globe . "He's going to play at an even higher level than he did in college, as he gets accustomed to the NFL game."
Although Crownover started at right tackle at Texas A&M, Cushing believes he can also play left tackle and be a swing tackle in his rookie season with the Patriots.
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"We did have some designs on moving Crown to the left side, but what happened was that he had a wrist injury [and club cast] on his left arm, and the left hand is critical for that initial punch," Cushing said. "We were flipping him during walkthroughs, and we've done a ton of drill work with him at left tackle.
"But with that wrist issue, we went in a different direction. All that being said, he's a smart guy and a good athlete. I have no doubt he'd be able to pick it up on the left side. In that case, we just had to protect his wrist."
However, he could also be used as an extra tight end in jumbo packages, replacing what Thayer Munford did last season.
Regardless of the role he is, Cushing has confidence Crownover will be able to make an immediate impact as a rookie.
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