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Patriots 2021 NFL Draft: How Michigan fullback Ben Mason fits the mold

By Michael DeVito

EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 20: Ben Mason #42 of the Michigan Wolverines scores a second half touchdown past Khari Willis #27 of the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on October 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan won the game 21-7. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 20: Ben Mason #42 of the Michigan Wolverines scores a second half touchdown past Khari Willis #27 of the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on October 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan won the game 21-7. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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In every draft, NFL teams draft players in lower rounds who may have a chance but weren’t necessarily heralded in college and the Patriots are no different.

One guy who may just fit into the New England scheme of things is a fullback from Michigan, Ben Mason.

New England struck gold in the sixth round last season with the selection of Wolverine Michael Onwenu who was not only one of the best rookie offensive linemen but also one of the best rookies at any position.

Michigan players have been good to New England Patriots and one or two more this season might also work.

Mason is a fullback with tremendous size for the position standing 6’3 and 254 pounds. That’s roughly former Patriots fullback James Develin‘s size.

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In addition, Mason has an asset that is always valuable at least for the old Patriots (who knows what the 2021 version will be like), that’s versatility. For the Blue and Maize, he played not only fullback and defensive line but also tight end.

Mason is what you’d call a football player.

How Ben Mason fits the New England Patriots

A better comment might be how doesn’t he fit in Foxborough. Mason and Jacob Johnson could be a great tandem at fullback.

Of course, last year’s third-round pick Dalton Keene may already be slotted in at fullback. He flopped at tight end. In any event, competition is a good thing.

The Patriots as has been stated previously need to augment their running game. It’s not good enough. A top fullback as the aforementioned Develin proved is a linebacker sweeping machine.

Johnson is one, but injuries to your lead blocker can wreck a running game in a hurry, as the team has learned previously. Having another road-grader like Mason would be a good resource to have.

In addition, Mason can step in as a motion tight end in a short-yardage situation along with Johnson and the two new very solid tight ends, Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith.

Add a big, bruising running back to that to that foursome in a run-heavy alignment to accompany the Patriot’s top offensive line, and you just may have a short-yardage solution there. Like the sound of that formation.

And another seemingly natural deployment of Mason for New England would be special teams. It’s no secret that the Patriots value that third aspect of the game as much or perhaps more than any other team. It’s critical, at least it’s represented that way.

Mason would be an absolute wrecking ball of a special teamer. He’d be shedding and shredding kick and punt blockers on defense and would be a pancake machine upfront when the Patriots have the ball.

If that isn’t a good fit, what is? So what’s being said about Mason? Here’s what profootballnetwork.com says about Mason,

"Additionally, Mason’s all-out mentality extends past his work as a blocker. Mason is also a willing special teams player, and he has the experience as a linebacker to be a solid tackler. Mason may not be a key contributor from a playmaking standpoint.Nevertheless, his near-elite blocking ability gives him a lot of appeal in rushing-heavy offenses, and his special teams’ utility increases his attractiveness for NFL teams."

They think he’s a low pick or may go undrafted. A perfect situation for one of those 6th or 7th round picks this writer has encouraged New England to amass in any of their pre or during draft deals. And we know there will be deals.

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Mason sounds just like a prototypical 46th or 47th player on a Patriots game day roster. He provides cover at several positions and will likely be a special team standout.

Ben Mason is not a game-changing on one-play player who’ll turn a game around by himself. But he’s capable of doing the little things that help win games without which you won’t.

Use a lower round and draft another Michigan guy, Ben Mason. Makes perfect sense.

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