Rams Thought Patriots Pick Cole Strange Would Be Available Much Later In The Draft
BOSTON (CBS) -- When the Patriots picked offensive lineman Cole Strange in the first round on Thursday night, it caught many fans by surprise. It also caused a bit of a shock to those in the league.
With Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead speaking during a press conference late in the first round (the Rams don't own a pick until the third round, at No. 104), the duo was live when the Patriots picked Strange out of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with the 29th overall pick.
The two were a bit shocked.
"How about that?!" McVay yelled. "And we wasted our time watching him, thinking he'd be [available] at 104 maybe."
McVay then let out a massive belly laugh.
Rams reaction to Patriots selection of Cole Strange at #29.
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) April 29, 2022
This is hysterical. pic.twitter.com/ADzqt4lizQ
Suffice it to say ... Bill Belichick felt differently.
Bill Belichick was asked if he felt the Patriots might be able to draft Cole Strange with their next pick (No. 54 overall), instead of taking him at 29th overall.
— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) April 29, 2022
Bill did not believe so.
"Yeah ... he wouldn't have lasted much longer." pic.twitter.com/e8UqCtDsSz
Of course, Bill Belichick operates the way Bill Belichick sees fit, so he'll often draft players higher than many others would expect. Over the years, it's occasionally worked, and it's occasionally not worked. Time will tell if Strange proves Belichick correct in this instance.