FOXBORO, Mass. — Jerod Mayo is hoping one particular New England Patriots place group will profit from the second-year leap.
The Patriots have three offensive linemen getting into their respective sophomore seasons: fourth-rounders Jake Andrews and Sidy Sow together with fifth-rounder Antonio Mafi.
“There isn’t a different level of their careers the place they will make a large soar like they will going from yr one to yr two,” Mayo mentioned at Gillette Stadium on Monday, earlier than the Patriots’ first OTA follow. “You take a look at the linemen that we’ve got going into yr two — we’re leaning on these guys to essentially make these jumps. They’ve to essentially perceive that and put within the additional work.”
New England’s offensive line was one of many largest query marks getting into the offseason. The Patriots re-signed proper sort out Mike Onwenu, prolonged veteran heart David Andrews and drafted offensive sort out Caedan Wallace and offensive guard Layden Robinson. However with no surefire reply at left sort out and unproven gamers on the inside (apart from Andrews), the Patriots are taking a threat with the group. Particularly since Cole Unusual reportedly may miss the beginning of the season.
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Ought to the Patriots get contributions from their second-year linemen, they’d be in a a lot better place. They’re all competing for jobs.
Sow, who was first-team left guard throughout Day 1 of OTAs, performed 85% of offensive snaps with 13 begins in 2023. Mafi apparently has labored at heart and is within the combine for both of guard spot after he performed 44% of offensive snaps in 2023. And Jake Andrews, who noticed simply 7% of offensive snaps in 2023, labored because the second-team heart in the course of the open-to-media follow. With David Andrews comfortability penciled in because the beginning heart, Jake Andrews could possibly be within the combine at guard, too.
Offensive line coach Scott Peters has cross-trained the group at a number of positions.
“They’ve to essentially — don’t fear about final yr,” Mayo mentioned. “Now you perceive what we are attempting to do from a scheduling standpoint, from what you bought to do to go on the market and play. And so, we’re on the lookout for these guys to make an enormous soar.”
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The Patriots host their third of 10 OTA periods Thursday with media set to return to Gillette Stadium on Could 29. The offensive line, together with these second-year gamers, will likely be a focus all through the spring and coaching camp.
