New England Patriots select LSU offensive lineman Chasen Hines in 2022 NFL Draft

Chasen Hines helped anchor the LSU offensive line the last few seasons. He’ll try to do the same in the NFL.

The New England Patriots drafted Hines in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He joins Ed Ingram as former LSU offensive lineman taken in this year’s draft.

Hines started seven games and made eight appearances for LSU in 2021, including the Texas Bowl. During his career, he started at right guard and left guard for the Tigers while also serving as the team’s backup center. He’s versatile, which could be key as he tries to break in at the NFL level.

Out of high school, Hines was a four-star recruit and the No. 32 recruit in the state of Texas from the Class of 2018, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Chasen Hines

Given Hines’ ability to play multiple positions, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein said he could help with NFL run games. However, he might need to start as a backup and possibly work his way to a starting job down the road. NFL.com gave Hines a 6.10 grade, which puts him in the “good backup with potential to develop into a starter” category.

“Burly, strong center/guard prospect whose strengths lend themselves to a fit with a power-based rushing attack,” Zierlein wrote. “Hines can create run lanes as an aggressive drive blocker and is effective hitting targets on the move on pin-and-pull reps. He needs to drop some weight and improve his hand placement in order to sustain blocks as a pro.

“He protects the pocket with decent technique but might not have enough mirror to keep the gaps clean as a full-time guard. Hines has early backup value along the interior line with eventual starting talent that is best-suited at the center spot.”