The Patriots have made their second trade of the week relating to their offensive line.
On Sunday, they reportedly dealt right tackle Marcus Cannon to the Texans and the two teams will swap picks in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds. Houston has a higher draft selection than the Patriots, so New England likely will move up in each of these rounds — or at least one (exact details haven’t been announced).
Cannon, 32, opted out of last season and had a cap hit of $9 million this coming season. There was a thought he would be released in a move that would save the team around $7 million. It made sense given the team has several pieces in place that made him expendable.
Getting anything for a player who otherwise would have been released should be viewed as a win.
So, what does this mean for the offensive line?
With Joe Thuney more than likely to depart via free agency, Michael Onwenu seems like a good bet to move inside to replace him at left guard. This signals Trent Brown, who was acquired last week, could play right tackle like he did with the Raiders (in his one season with the Patriots he played left tackle). Then Isaiah Wynn would stay at left tackle, which he’s played the bulk of his career.
This would have an offensive line of Wynn-Onwenu-David Andrews/free agent-Shaq Mason-Brown. There's nothing wrong with that, especially with depth pieces like Justin Herron and Yodny Cajuste still in the mix.
With the trade, the Patriots get some clarity up front and also get something in return for a player who otherwise would have been released.
