Conerly is one of the better offensive tackle prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The New England Patriots’ biggest need on the current roster remains at left tackle, as them relying on a combination of Vederian Lowe and Caedan Wallace at the position in 2025 would be a surprise.
In order to fill the need, New England is expected to address the position early in the NFL Draft. But if they target elsewhere at No. 4 overall, Oregon’s Josh Conerly projects as a realistic candidate with their second selection.
Hard facts
Name: Josh Conerly Jr.
Position: Offensive tackle
School: University of Oregon
Opening day age: 21 (11/05/2003)
Measurements: 6’4”, 311 pounds, 10 3/8” hand size, 33 1/2” arm length, 82 1/4” wingspan, 5.05 40-yard dash, 34 1/2” vertical jump, 8’7” broad jump, 8.85 Relative Athletic Score
Experience
Colleges: Oregon (2022-24)
Career statistics: 41 games (28 starts) | 1,984 offensive snaps, 230 special teams snaps | 26 pressures surrendered (2 sacks, 4 hits, 20 hurries), 12 penalties
Accolades: AP All-American third-team (2024), First-team All-Big Ten (2024), Anthony Muñoz Award (2021 – High School)
Beginning his youth football career as a running back and defensive end, Conerly eventually made the transition to offensive line during his sophomore year of High School. He was a natural at left tackle as he went eventually went on to win the Anthony Munoz Award his senior year given to the top offensive lineman in high school football.
The second ranked offensive tackle in his class (ahead of Will Campbell and Kelvin Banks), Conerly eventually committed to Oregon. He played in every game his freshman year but managed just 118 snaps in a reserve/jumbo role — although he managed to haul in a touchdown as an elgible tackle in an late season game vs. Colorado.
Entering his sophomore season, Conerly earned the starting left tackle job where he went on to play all 14 games protecting Bo Nix’s blindside. He allowed just 17 pressures and one sack as he anchored a dominant offensive line that allowed just five total sacks all season.
His junior season came with 14 more starts at left tackle across another strong offensive line group. Conerly allowed just one sack for the second straight season and saw his pressures allowed drop to nine — including just eight allowed over the final 12 weeks of the year (all against Ohio State in two matchups). Conerly’s play earned him All-Big Ten First-Team honors.
Conerly then elected to forgo his senior season and enter the draft while also accepting his invitation to the Senior Bowl — where he was named the top offensive lineman on the National Team during the week.
Draft profile
Expected round: 1-2 (top 40) | Consensus big board: No. 35 | Patriots meeting: Senior Bowl + Combine
Strengths: A former running back, defensive end, and basketball player, Conerly’s game is built around his plus movement skills. The athleticism allows him to shine in pass protection — such as his zero pressure game working mostly against Abdul Carter in the Big Ten Championship Game — and work in space and at the second level in the run game.
Every one-on-one pass rep between Josh Conerly Jr. (#76) and Abdul Carter (#11)
Speed vs. Speed pic.twitter.com/4FgENMfKnz
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) April 8, 2025
Conerly also pairs his footwork and movement ability with good length, as his arm length measured in at 33’ 1/2” and 34’ 1/4” at the NFL Combine and Pro Day, respectively. All the tools led to him being one of the top pass protectors in the country as he allowed just two total sacks in his two years as a starter.
Weaknesses: While Conerly has good length, his 6-foot-4 frame is just average for an NFL tackle. He also showed some issues against power — both in pass pro and the run game — and could use added play strength at the next level.
Patriots preview
What would be his role? Conerly would immediately compete for the starting job at left tackle upon arrival in New England, where his athletic ability and skills in pass pro would give him a realistic shot to beat out the aforementioned Vederian Lowe and Caedan Wallace.
What is his growth potential? In a similar mold of Christian Gonzalez and Drake Maye, Conerly enters the draft at 21 years old after his true junior season. At a young age — who only started playing tackle in high school — there is plenty of room for Conerly to continue to grow as a player. He has the skillset and potential to perhaps be the best tackle in this draft.
Does he have positional versatility? Conerly was used as a jumbo offensive lineman on both sides of the ball early in his career — and sparingly over the last two years — but has the majority of his experience at left tackle. He never played right tackle and has just a handful of total snaps at both guard spots. Conerly additionally worked on special teams all three seasons.
Why the Patriots? Left tackle remains the biggest need on New England’s roster and Conerly gives the team a young, talented player with upside at the position. Plus, Conerly fits the mold of the more athletic tackles Josh McDaniels typically employed on the left side in New England.
Why not the Patriots? With left tackle being the biggest hole yet to fill on the roster, New England could look to address the position atop the draft with either Will Campbell or Armand Membou. If not, they may need to aggressively move up back into the first-round to assure Conerly’s services as plenty of tackle needy teams remain around the league.
One-sentence verdict: If the Patriots do not address the tackle position with their first selection, Conerly’s talent and upside make him a strong candidate with the second selection — whether it be at No. 38 or after a trade up.
What do you think about Josh Conerly Jr. as a potential Patriots target? Please head down to the comment section to share your thoughts.