With the Patriots now out of the Brandon Aiyuk sweepstakes, the team will pivot to improving other offensive positions. According to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, the Patriots are expected to “turn their full attention” to acquiring offensive tackle depth. The organization could consider a number of different routes as they seek reinforcement, including a trade, a veteran free agent, or an inexperienced tryout player.
[RELATED: Latest On Patriots G Cole Strange’s Knee Injury]
With Trent Brown now out of the picture, the Patriots lack experience at both offensive tackle spots. At the moment, there are four clear candidates for the two starting gigs (per Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald): Chukwuma Okorafor, Vederian Lowe, Calvin Anderson, and rookie third-round pick Caedan Wallace. One team source told Kyed that Okorafor and Lowe are likely in the lead at the moment, although Anderson was recently playing with the starters while Okorafor nursed an undisclosed injury.
As Kyed notes, Jerod Mayo is hoping to have his Week 1 starters locked in before the team’s third preseason game. So, if the Patriots plan to bring in another option at the position, the acquisition will only have a couple of weeks to make a good impression.
The current free agent market includes the likes of Donovan Smith, David Bakhtiari, D.J. Humphries, and Jason Peters. If the rebuilding Patriots intended to bring in one of these veterans, they probably would have already done so. More likely, the Patriots will continue to explore the trade market for some depth, and they could also hold out for players who shake loose at the end of the preseason (although that won’t help their starting lineup uncertainty).
Whatever combination of players the Patriots settle on for their offensive line, it’s unlikely to stick throughout the entire regular season. Former first-round guard Cole Strange will eventually return from a torn patellar tendon in his left knee. Whenever Strange comes back, the Patriots could consider moving Michael Onwenu back to offensive tackle, although the recent extension recipient has exclusively played guard throughout training camp.
What an absolute dumpster fire..
Jets have been a dumpster fire ever since BB left.
They’re going to find their starting LT, maybe even their RT as well in next years draft.
Depth? How about one competent LT?
Jason Peters? Does he bring his own sideline tent? He spends more time there than anywhere else.
With or without Aiyuk, they needed to do this. This shouldn’t be a market for depth, either, but a quality starter. The right side of that line featured some of the worst play that I had ever seen, even in comparison to the Steelers’ epic collapse in Roethlisberger’s final years. Vederian Lowe has one of the greatest names and worst tape that I can think of in football, in my opinion, and he wasn’t the only issue. Andrews played well, as always, and when Strange was on the field, he was a good run blocker, but the tackle spots and the depth was pretty bad in NE last year, and for the last couple.
Honestly, they really should just move Onwenu back to right tackle for the time being and start Sow with Strange (when healthy) at guard.
This also contributes to the argument that Maye should sit to begin the year in favor of Brissett, just for the sake of health
I agree 100%.
Larry Borom and a 3rd for Judon
Who?
Bears swing LT