New England Patriots pick Andrew Stueber in seventh round of 2022 NFL Draft

With the 245th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots selected Michigan Wolverines football offensive lineman Andrew Stueber. He’s the fifth Michigan prospect to be drafted this weekend, joining defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (first round, No. 2 overall to the Detroit Lions), defensive back Daxton Hill (first round, No. 31 to the Cincinnati Bengals), outside linebacker David Ojabo (second round, No. 45 overall to the Baltimore Ravens) and running back Hassan Haskins (fourth round, No. 131 overall to the Tennessee Titans).

The Darien, Conn., native is headed back to his home region, and he’ll reunite with a slew of former teammates, plus former Michigan star Jabrill Peppers, who left U-M before Stueber got to Ann Arbor. Offensive lineman Michael Onwenu, linebacker Cam McGrone, kicker Quinn Nordin and outside linebacker Josh Uche are all on the Patriots.

Stueber started 22 games at Michigan, playing both right guard and right tackle in 2020 before settling in at the latter position this past season as part of a Joe Moore Award-winning group up front.

Stueber was a second-team American Football Coaches Association All-American in 2021, and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and third-team recognition from the media. He graded out as the fourth-best pass blocking tackle in the Big Ten, per Pro Football Focus (PFF), yielding just one sack and 11 pressures in 14 games of action.

He can play either tackle or guard for the Patriots.

“This offensive line was the best in the country this past year, and Andrew Stueber was the leader of this group,” ESPN analyst Todd McShay said on the broadcast.

“It’s funny because when I got done watching his tape — I watched four games — I looked down at my notes and said, ‘What is he?’ He’s just efficient — fundamentally sound. There’s no trait that stands out. Yes, he’s 6-6.5, 325 pounds, great size — but he’s not an athlete athlete, he’s not overpowering. But every play, he takes the proper angle, his hand placement is right, he has awareness, he sees the blitz coming. The twist, any game you’re throwing at him, he feels it. And he’s always kind of balanced and under control.

“He’s just a guy you rely on all the time — that’s who Stueber was at Michigan. And the reason why he didn’t get drafted earlier was the traits, but I just have a feeling about this guy. Just like at Michigan, he wasn’t a five-star or everything you look for, but something about him, the way he’s always doing the right thing, he’s gonna stick around.”

He appeared in 34 games with 22 starts at Michigan, opening every contest over his last two seasons after suffering a torn ACL in preseason camp ahead of the 2019 campaign.

“Andrew Stueber is an offensive lineman, a Michigan Man, likes to play football, likes to play tough, fast — how it’s meant to be played. And someone who’s smart, caring. I care about the people that are close to me a lot,” Stueber said on the ‘Big Boys Club’ podcast when asked to describe himself.

“[Being a Michigan man] is something [U-M head] Coach Harbaugh always praises to us. You hear it all the time when you go to Michigan. It’s just someone that goes about their day in the very best way they can. They’re nice to others, they’re accountable for their actions and they’re dependable. I think that’s something you learn throughout your four, five years at Michigan, and it’s definitely something that I’ve learned.”

Stueber Flashed Versatility At Senior Bowl

Stueber played in the Reese’s Senior Bowl Senior Bowl, and was a big winner coming out of the week. Both analysts and coaches were impressed with his performances at both practices and in the game. He was named to Sports Illustrated’s 2022 All-Senior Bowl National Team and drew praise from The Athletic.

“Detroit’s certainly familiar with Stueber and saw the Jets rep the former Michigan right tackle at both guard and center last week,” the site’s Nick Baumgardner and Chris Burke wrote, naming the former Michigan lineman as a member of the ‘All-Senior Bowl Team for the Detroit Lions’ needs.’ “Stueber is a smart, experienced mauler. He won’t be physically bullied by anyone in his square, and he’s smart enough to know how to work around his mobility issues.

“If that reminds you of a larger-framed [Lions offensive lineman] Jonah Jackson then, well, you’ve been paying attention. Stueber could be a swing tackle in a pinch, though it’s unclear whether his foot speed will hold up on the edge. He did play guard early in his career at Michigan.

“He played in 34 games at Michigan and was part of the Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line in 2021.”