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We’re back with another edition of Patriots Depth Projection - a new article series here on WEEI.com where over the next several weeks leading up to training camp I'll be taking an in-depth look at each of New England’s ten position rooms, naming trade candidates, predicting highs and lows, projecting who makes the team, and grading each room heading into 2023.
Here are the one’s we’ve done so far:
- Depth projection: Linebackers
- Depth projection: Defensive line
- Depth projection: Specialists
Today’s task is the offensive line room. Here’s a look:
The Rundown:
The Patriots’ offensive line room is, without a doubt, the shakiest room on their roster heading into this season. Especially at tackle.
Trent Brown, who we’ll get to later, missed the majority of the teams’ offseason training program, Calvin Anderson and Riley Reiff are veteran journeymen on short contracts who are just here hoping to latch on, and Conor McDermott was a practice squader for most of 2022 but may now be tasked with either starting or being the critical swing tackle just one year later. Not great!
While the outside is certainly an issue, ESPN argues that the Patriots' interior line is actually their greatest strength. Here’s what Mike Clay had to say on the unit:
“Strongest unit: Interior offensive line. Center David Andrews' 97.5% pass block win rate last season trailed only Creed Humphrey for best at the position. RG Mike Onwenu was a stellar find in the sixth round in 2020, and the 25-year-old has settled in as one of the league's top guards. Cole Strange struggled as a run blocker as a rookie, but the 2022 first-round pick was solid as a pass-blocker and a candidate for a second-year leap.”
While what Clay says about the interior may be true, David Andrews is now on the other side of 30, and expecting a huge leap from Cole Strange (an over-drafted, under-sized guard from UT-Chattanooga) may be wishful thinking.
New England seemed to try and get ahead of this in the draft when they selected center Jake Andrews and guards Sidy Sow and Atonio Mafi to help bulk up the middle. It'll be interesting to see if any get thrown into the mix sooner rather than later.
Who we’re sleeping on:
Sidy Sow.
Speaking of Sow, the Patriots drafted the IOL out of Eastern Michigan with the 117th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and although he's listed as a guard, has also played tackle in the past. Something New England may lean on.
In fact, Patriots director of player personnel spoke to Sow’s versatility after they selected him and according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the plan is to “try [him] at tackle, where he actually played as a true freshman in 2018."
They’ll likely trust Sow to do a lot as a rookie, which will give him an opportunity to make an immediate impact in Foxborough.
6 rings: Is Dalvin Cook dropping hints to Patriots fans?
Trade candidate:
Trent Brown.
Oh, Trent.
The 6-foot-8, 30-year-old offensive tackle has had quite the roller coaster ride with the Patriots over the last five seasons. Right now? He’s back at the bottom.
After skipping voluntary OTA’s this offseason, Brown was late to minicamp due to a “canceled flight” according to Mass Live’s Mark Daniels, and a limited participant once he showed up, leaving his lone practice early. No bueno for the guy who the Patriots are counting on to man the left side of their offensive line.
While the idea was to piecemeal the right side together with the signings of Calvin Anderson and Riley Reiff, if Brown continues to not buy in and either one of them shows that they’re at least capable of playing the left side, it wouldn’t shock me to see Belichick trade Brown away for the right price.
Surprise cut:
Calvin Anderson.
Anderson could also just as easily be a cut candidate.
While I currently have him making the roster - if Trent keeps his head on straight, Reiff wins the battle on the right, and either McDermott or Sow can prove to be a trustworthy swing tackle, the Rubix-cubing veteran could be on the outside looking into the Patriots depth chart come September.
Full roster projection:
In: Trent Brown, Cole Strange, David Andrews, Mike Onwenu, Riley Reiff, Calvin Anderson, Conor McDermott, Jake Andrews (R), Sidy Sow (R), Atonio Mafi (R)
Out: James Ferentz, Chasen Hines, Bill Murray, Kody Russey, Andrew Stueber
Grade heading into 2023:
D+.
While it looks like New England might be able to get by with the interior, the tackle position is going to be a doozie. Unless Dante Scarnecchia comes back or Adrian Klemm is the second coming of him, I expect the offensive line to once again struggle in 2023.
The tight ends are next. Keep it here at WEEI.com as we continue Patriots Depth Projection and count down the days until Pats camp.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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