Locks: David Andrews, Mike Onwenu, Chuks Okorafor, Sidy Sow, Caedan Wallace, Layden Robinson, Cole Strange (PUP/IR Candidate)
Bubble: Calvin Anderson, Vederian Lowe, Jake Andrews, Nick Leverett, Atonio Mafi
In the Mix: Tyron Wheatley, Michael Jordan, Charles Turner (UDFA), Zuri Henry (UDFA), Liam Fornadel
Besides when the Patriots will pass the torch at quarterback, the offensive line is the biggest question mark with the team offensively.
During a bumpy 2023 campaign, the Patriots offensive line ranked dead-last, 32nd, with a pass-blocking win rate of 43%. New England also finished 22nd in expected points added per rush (-0.13) with an expected rushing yards per carry of 4.1 yards (23rd in the NFL). That's a statistically heavy way of saying that the Patriots offensive line was among the league's worst in 2023, contributing greatly to their offensive struggles. An alarming pressure rate eventually sank former quarterback Mac Jones, with his play under pressure plummeting to the point where his run in New England ended.
Along with the importance of protecting first-round QB Drake Maye, the run game, coupled with overall early-down success, is a significant piece to the puzzle for offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. If the Patriots offensive line play doesn't improve, it'll be an uphill battle for this new system to take hold, and it could also impact Maye's developmental timeline.
With that said, we should tell the whole story about the 2023 season as we project forward. Along with hiring former offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien, the Pats tabbed Adrian Klemm as the team's offensive line coach, replacing Matt Patricia, the offense's play-caller in 2022. Rumors swirled throughout the season that Klemm and O'Brien were at odds, with Klemm also unhappy with the front office due to the poor personnel at his disposal.
Then, Klemm took medical leave due to a significant health issue. For the final eight games, assistant offensive line coach Billy Yates ran the room with help from player/de facto coach James Ferentz. The team couldn't have predicted Klemm's health issues, but it was a dysfunctional situation, and the product deteriorated on the field.
Although there are still major questions about the personnel, Van Pelt brought former Browns assistant Scott Peters from Cleveland to coach the offensive line in New England. Peters is a disciple of highly regarded line coach Bill Callahan and is known as a technique guru who has trained under Callahan since 2020.
Peters will hopefully bring professionalism back to the offensive line, along with assistant Robert Kugler, who joined the Patriots staff after spending the last two seasons in the same role in Carolina. The coaching stability shouldn't be overlooked as a big piece of the puzzle. Still, the talent on the roster, particularly at tackle, remains a concern.
In his rankings of the 32 offensive lines across the NFL, expert Brandon Thorn ranked the Patriots as the second-worst unit in the league. Thorn points to concerns the offensive tackle position, mainly the plan for free-agent addition Chuks Okorafor to be New England's primary blindside protector. Okorafor, a career right tackle, fell out of favor in Pittsburgh last season and was eventually replaced by first-round pick Broderick Jones at right tackle. After signing with the Patriots this offseason, Okorafor will now flip sides, with skeptics such as Thorn believing it's a stretch for him to be a starting-caliber left tackle.
Veteran Calvin Anderson could push Okorafor at left tackle. The team acquired Anderson as a free agent last offseason, but a scary non-football illness derailed his 2023 season. Anderson is now healthy, and although he's a fringe starter, he was functional in seven starts with the Broncos in 2022. The Pats also have Vederian Lowe back in the mix, who struggled mightily at right tackle a year ago but was more serviceable on the left side. Ultimately, Okorafor is the penciled in starter on the left side, with the left tackle situation being a major question mark for New England.
At the other tackle spot, the Patriots right tackles allowed an 11.9% pressure rate last season, ranking 26th out of 32 teams. Out of necessity, the Pats eventually kicked standout lineman Mike Onwenu outside. After looking solid at right tackle, the Patriots retained Onwenu on a lucrative three-year deal in free agency this offseason, with the plan being for him to find a permanent home at right tackle. However, those plans might already be changing.
During spring practices, the Patriots experimented with Onwenu back at his natural position, right guard, with third-round rookie Caedan Wallace at right tackle. Wallace, the 68th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, was also billed as someone who could flip to left tackle. Although he repped at both tackle spots in the spring, Wallace saw far more practice reps on the right side by the end of minicamp, which is where he played at Penn State.
According to NextGen Stats, the Pats OTs ranked 21st in total pressures allowed (143) and 26th in average time to pressure (2.8s) last season. Most believe New England didn't do enough to upgrade the position this offseason, so time will tell if EVP of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf's plan will prove the naysayers wrong or if tackle will be an Achilles heel once again in 2024.
On the interior, the Patriots are hoping for a second-year leap from guard Sidy Sow, who improved throughout his rookie season and was a standout run-blocker on the right side. According to head coach Jerod Mayo, the team expects to be without 2022 first-rounder Cole Strange for the foreseeable future, reportedly due to a torn patellar tendon. That likely means Sow will begin the year at left guard, where he made 31 career starts during his collegiate career at Eastern Michigan.
Following an up-and-down first two seasons, Strange's spot in the starting five is not necessarily waiting for him when he returns. The 29th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft fits the mold of a wide zone guard with high-end athletic traits. But his play has been streaky, while various injuries have stunted his development. There's a strong possibility that Strange will open the season on a reserve list (IR or PUP), meaning he'll have to miss at least the first four games of the regular season.
The Patriots depth options on the interior include veteran guard Nick Leverett, who saw plenty of opportunities in the spring at right guard, sometimes with the top offensive line. Leverett made ten career starts in three seasons with Tampa Bay, with a squatty build in a mauler mold. New England could also turn to another mid-round rookie in Layden Robinson at right guard. Robinson made 33 career starts at Texas A&M as a right guard, with many scouts believing he is close to pro ready.
The team also hasn't given up on 2023 draft picks Jake Andrews and Atonio Mafi. Andrews is a potential long-term option at center, while Mafi repped at all three interior spots in the spring as he tries to carve out a role – those three will be in a battle to make the team as the top interior backups.
Lastly, in the dark-horse to make the roster column, the Patriots took an extended look at guard Michael Jordan in the spring, while C/G Charles Turner is an interesting roster candidate as an undrafted rookie. Turner made 26 career starts in the SEC, and some scouts around the league believe he was a draftable talent as a center.
With captain David Andrews and second-year guard Sidy Sow locked in as starters on the interior, the top camp battle to watch is between the two mid-round rookies, Wallace, and fourth-round pick Layden Robinson. New England will likely start a rookie lineman somewhere, so it comes down to whether Wallace is a better option at right tackle than Robinson is at right guard. Looking at possible scenarios, here are two potential starting fives:
- Option 1: LT Okorafor, LG Sow, C Andrews, RG Robinson (R), RT Onwenu
- Option 2: LT Okorafor, LG Sow, C Andrews, RG Onwenu, RT Wallace (R)
Sidebar: This scribe hopes that option two prevails as the best five-man unit.
New England's top decision-makers have hitched their wagon to quarterback Drake Maye as their third overall draft choice. Currently, Maye is on track to push for playing time early in his rookie season. However, with Maye sharpening his footwork and mechanics, there's some trepidation about putting Maye on the field behind a shaky offensive line.
The offensive line's play is a huge determining factor in the offense's overall success, but it could also play a significant role in Maye's development. If there are still significant question marks about the line's performance following camp and the preseason, New England might need to sit Maye behind bridge starter Jacoby Brissett, even if Maye is ready.
Although things could always fall into place, the offensive line is arguably the weakest area of the Patriots roster.
DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer
