Tag: Dustin Woodard

Patriots 2020 draft pick retires before playing his first NFL game

The former Memphis Tiger is stepping away from his NFL future.

The New England Patriots have lost another player prior to the start of the 2020 season. This departure wasn’t due to an opt-out related to the COVID-19 pandemic, rather it was an early retirement from one of the team’s newest additions.

The Boston Globe’s Jim McBride reported that 2020 seventh-round pick Dustin Woodard announced his retirement from the NFL, citing that the pandemic had nothing to do with his decision.

Woodard spent four years as a Memphis Tiger, starting 52 games at all three interior offensive line positions over that span.

While the 22-year-old would’ve had to prove he was worth a spot on the final roster, the Patriots depth at the center position is certainly lacking. At the very least, he could’ve found his way onto the practice squad and potentially earned a spot in the future.

Now, New England’s backup center spot is up in the air.

They signed Tyler Gauthier earlier this week who spent some time on the Patriots’ practice squad last season. If they need to find someone to fill that role there are plenty of free agents still available including veterans A.Q. Shipley and Daniel Kilgore. Former Patriots Jon Halapio and James Ferentz are still on the market as well.

With David Andrews’ health still at the forefront of everyone’s minds, the Patriots would be smart to bring in some more competition for his backup.

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Patriots select Memphis C Dustin Woodard in 7th round during 2020 draft

Depth in the interior.

With the New England Patriots final selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, Bill Belichick selected Memphis center Dustin Woodard in seventh round.

Woodard made 52 starts and tied the Tigers’ record for most starts by an offensive lineman. Thought his college career, he moved from left guard (2016, 2017) to right guard (2018) to center (2019).

Woodard was the 11th and final pick in the Patriots’ draft class, behind Lenior-Rhyne safety Kyle Duggan (pick no. 37), Michigan outside linebacker Josh Uche (No. 60), Alabama outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings (87th overall), UCLA tight end Devin Asiasi (No. 91), Virginia Tech tight end Dalton Keene (101st overall), Marshall kicker Justin Rohrwasser (No. 159), Michael Onwenu (182nd overall), Wake Forest guard Justin Herron (No. 195) and the Wyoming linebacker Cassh Maluia (204th overall).

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Instant analysis of Patriots selecting C Dustin Woodard with the No. 230 pick

The Patriots finished off the draft with a heavy emphasis on interior offensive linemen.

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The New England Patriots finished off the 2020 NFL Draft with some depth at the center position.

New England selected center Dustin Woodard out of Memphis with the No. 230 pick. The Patriots only have David Andrews at the center position currently and he’s coming off a season he missed with blood clots. Ted Karras stepped up in Andrews’ place for the Patriots last year, but he joined the Miami Dolphins this offseason.

Woodard is 6-foot-2, 291 pounds, and is an extremely reliable player. He was tied for the most start in the Tigers’ history with 52 and he played 928 of 992 snaps for the team last year. He’s also one of this draft class’ elite run-blockers according to Pro Football Focus.

Andrews started for New England for four seasons before missing last year and he’ll be the starter as long as his health holds up. Woodard has all the intangibles and durability he needs to succeed at the next level, he just has to put on some weight and develop further.

The Patriots hit their needs at tight end, linebacker, kicker, interior offensive line and the only position they neglected was quarterback. Nick Caserio said the team will have a third quarterback on the roster this offseason, so they’ll either come from free agency or undrafted.

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