University of Colorado offensive lineman Will Sherman became the first local player picked in the 2021 NFL draft on Saturday when the Patriots selected him in the sixth round.
Picked at No. 197 overall, Sherman profiles as a versatile backup in the NFL. Sherman made 27 starts at tackle in three seasons in Boulder, but will likely be an interior lineman in the NFL due to his lack of height at 6-foot-3.
The 21-year-old native of Allen, Texas, was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2020. Weighing in at around 300 pounds, Sherman has relatively good lateral quickness, and his technique is solid. But he still has room to improve in his pass sets and he’ll also need to get better in his blocking on the edges.
If Sherman continues to get stronger and can adjust to the learning curve of playing a relatively new position in the NFL — he’s only played one game inside in his career, while in high school — he could provide New England with value as a reserve swing guard.
Sherman’s selection marks the second straight year a Buffs offensive lineman has been drafted, after guard Arlington Hambright went in the seventh round to the Bears last spring. Sherman is the 276th player to be drafted in school history, and he’s the first CU player drafted by New England since the Patriots picked lineman Nate Solder 17th overall in 2011.
This story will be updated.
