Insight from PJ Fleck on Potential Patriots Draft Prospect

Minnesota’s head football coach, PJ Fleck, offers valuable insight into what Mike Vrabel and the New England Patriots aim to achieve. Fleck, the 2019 Big Ten Coach of the Year, has coached two recent Patriots signings, Robert Spillane and Jack Gibbons, during their college years at Western Michigan and Minnesota, respectively.

Fleck believes these players exemplify the qualities Vrabel seeks. Additionally, he highlights Aireontae Ersery, who started 38 games at left tackle for the Golden Gophers, as another player that fits this description. “They all possess that football mentality,” Fleck shared during a video interview with NESN.com. “The free agents Vrabel is recruiting give clues about potential draft picks.”

Ersery is projected to be selected in the late first or early second round and has been mentioned as a viable option for the Patriots, who need tackle support. Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 331 pounds, he has shown impressive athleticism with a 40-yard dash time of 5.01 seconds—the fastest for a player of his size recorded since 2003.

Fleck recalls discovering Ersery at a camp in St. Louis, noting his athleticism even though he was relatively small compared to others. “At one point, we even told him to leave because we didn’t want others to notice his talent,” Fleck remarked. Despite receiving eight college offers from various programs, Ersery committed to Minnesota soon after visiting the campus.

During his time with the Golden Gophers, Ersery evolved from a three-star recruit into the 2024 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, and a First Team All-Big Ten honoree. Fleck cited a game against Penn State where Ersery didn’t allow a sack as a moment that showcased his readiness for the NFL, stating, “He’s like a unicorn.”

“He’s like a unicorn.”

Fleck emphasized Ersery’s potential for on-field development, a quality that could be attractive to Patriots fans. He noted, “Aireontae was going to have to develop on the field… but he was so athletic that his strength would eventually catch up.” Over the five seasons at Minnesota, Ersery did not miss any practices, demonstrating his commitment and resilience.

Experts consider Ersery skilled in both outside zone schemes and power-running gameplay, with substantial pass protection capabilities as well. Fleck noted, “He’s seen every front and every blitz imaginable. His durability, reliability, and passion for football are standouts.” He believes Ersery’s combination of size, experience, and ability to adapt makes him a strong candidate for a tackle position in the NFL.

Even though projections suggest he may not be drafted as high as some others, Fleck believes in Ersery’s versatility to adapt across offensive line positions. Ultimately, he insists that the right coaching and culture will allow Ersery to thrive. Fleck is confident that under Vrabel’s guidance, Ersery could emerge as a key contributor for the Patriots, fitting seamlessly into their culture-building approach.