Welcome to Patriots Place Breakdown, a 10-part collection on NESN.com the place we dive deep into every of New England’s place teams previous to the beginning of coaching camp.
It’s in all probability already annoying to most, however we’re all going to need to rip our ears off by mid-August as individuals repeatedly query the Patriots’ decision-making course of on the offensive line.
We will’t not speak about it, although.
New England made a transparent selection in free company, utilizing middling sources to handle the issue at left deal with regardless of having a possibility to make a splash. Tyrone Smith, Jonah Williams and Trent Brown (it was by no means occurring) all regarded like choices on the open market, however the Patriots rolled the cube on Chukwuma Okorafor and second-round decide Caedan Wallace — who was, then wasn’t and now may make the swap from proper deal with. Cole Unusual’s harm was additionally revealed to be way more critical than many initially thought. Mike Onwenu then began taking part in guard within the spring.
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It’s bedlam.
The Patriots aren’t making roster projections straightforward, however we’re going to do our greatest to summarize what’s going on with the O-line.
Roster Overview
– Calvin Anderson
– David Andrews
– Jake Andrews
– Liam Fornadel
– Zuri Henry
– Michael Jordan
– Nick Leverett
– Vederian Lowe
– Atonio Mafi
– Chukwuma Okorafor
– Mike Onwenu
– Layden Robinson
– Sidy Sow
– Cole Unusual
– Charles Turner III
– Caedan Wallace
– Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
Onwenu and David Andrews are a part of the Patriots’ greatest 5, however what’s up with the remainder of the group?
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Wallace might be there. Okorafor appears to be like like the highest possibility at left deal with. Sow is a plug-and-play guard, on each side. Unusual has a spot on the roster each time he’s prepared. It’s type of a guessing sport from there, although.
Okorafor, Sow, David Andrews, Onwenu and Wallace (from left to proper) in all probability make up one of the best 5 early in camp, particularly since Unusual might be down. If he’s in a position to return sooner or later early within the 12 months, he’d plug again in at left guard whereas Sow strikes to the proper facet and Onwenu takes again over at proper deal with. It’s robust to prognosticate any additional than that, although, as we haven’t seen these guys with pads on.
It ought to grow to be loads clearer within the coming weeks.
Largest Query(s)
– Is Caedan Wallace able to making the swap?
Wallace is an efficient proper deal with, however as we’ve seen time and time once more, some gamers simply can’t replicate the identical degree of success on each side.
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Wallace ought to at the least be given an opportunity on the left facet throughout the preseason, although. If he can’t play left deal with, the Patriots higher make rattling positive of it earlier than giving up and discovering a spot for him elsewhere.
— Nick Leverett or Layden Robinson?
The Patriots really appear to be simply positive on the inside, with David Andrews, Sow, Unusual, Leverett, Robinson and Mafi all being able to taking up a beginning position. Leverett and Robinson are on the surface wanting in and can compete with one another to be the highest understudy.
Leverett regarded nice at factors throughout the spring, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see him earn extra reps early in camp. We may see each earn begins throughout the season.
— How lengthy will Cole Unusual be sidelined?
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo isn’t making any guarantees in the case of Unusual, and that’s in all probability the proper technique to strategy issues. We simply talked in regards to the depth of the inside, so he must be given time to work again.
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It sounds as if he could possibly be a PUP candidate, as Mayo positioned the “month-to-month” tag on him earlier this offseason.
Grade
– C+
If they will determine left deal with, this grade may leap significantly. It simply occurs to be a very powerful place on the offensive line, so till we have now solutions, it performs a serious position.
