AUGUST 8: New England’s entire starting offense is taking part in tonight’s preseason game, and as Kyed notes, that unit includes Wilson handling left guard duties. It will be interesting to see how he fares in his first NFL game action, while Strange’s workload when the backups enter the contest will also be something to monitor.
AUGUST 6: The Patriots’ offensive line is starting to take shape, and it could end up leading to a relatively surprising cut. Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald recently observed that rookie third-round pick Jared Wilson appears to be penciled in as New England’s starting left guard.
ESPN’s Mike Reiss echoed Kyed’s report, noting that Wilson has impressed teammates and coaches with his ability to slow down some of the team’s top interior defensive linemen. Reiss also notes that Wilson’s athleticism could be particularly useful in Josh McDaniels‘ system, which often sees the offense pull the guard.
If Wilson does end up sticking at LG, that means the Patriots will be relying on a pair of inexperienced linemen to protect Drake Maye‘s blindside. Wilson would be lining up next to fourth-overall pick Will Campbell, a configuration that could make some fans queasy. However, it sounds like the two rookies are embracing the unexpected challenge.
“We just talk about how fun it’s going to be,” Wilson said of playing next to Campbell (via Karen Guregian of MassLive.com). “Like you said, there are two rookies next to each other, left guard and left tackle, on the blindside. We know it’s going to be a challenge every day. Teams are going to bring their best to us. Just got to be ready.”
With Wilson reportedly claiming one of the spots on the offensive line, the team’s starting configuration is coming into focus. In addition to the two rookies, it sounds like veteran Garrett Bradbury will man the center spot with tackle Morgan Moses and guard Michael Onwenu handling the right side. That means former first-round pick Cole Strange will be without a role, and that could ultimately cost the lineman his spot on the team.
Kyed wrote recently that Strange could be among the team’s surprise cuts, especially since the impending fourth-year player is struggling to establish himself at guard and center. Strange was already a reach when the Bill Belichick-led regime selected him with the 29th-overall pick in the 2022 draft, and the Chattanooga product hasn’t done much to reward the iconic coach’s faith.
After starting all 17 games as a rookie, Strange was limited to 10 games as a sophomore thanks to a torn patellar tendon. He started the 2024 campaign on the PUP list and ended up finishing last season with only three appearances. The team’s recent investment in the offensive line — both via the draft and free agency — already indicated that Strange was on the outside looking in. While the 27-year-old entered training camp penciled into the starting lineup, it now sounds like he’s fighting for a roster spot.
Strange’s roster spot might also be in doubt because of the versatility of some of his teammates. As Kyed recently noted, Caedan Wallace has been playing some offensive guard throughout training camp. The 2024 third-round pick spent the majority of his rookie campaign playing offensive tackle, but his ability to play multiple positions could make players like Strange expendable.
Strange’s ability to play guard and center will likely keep him on the roster. There is no monetary savings to cutting him. With him being the clear #2 LG with C capability, it makes sense to keep him.
You can’t praise Caedan Wallace for having positional versatility when he’s proven to stink at LT, RT, and hasn’t earned anything at G, all the while being hurt most of the time. And while it’s small, cutting him would save money each of the next 3 years.
Don’t know about that. Ben Brown seems like the backup at C and will likely make the team considering he’s been in and out of the first team line during practice. I think Strange is battling with Sidy Sow and Layden Robinson as the backup guard. Ill imagine Layden Robinson is the leader of that group considering he probably has the most upside in a Josh McDaniels offense that fits his game well
Well see but Sow and Robinson seem to be on the outside looking in. Both are taking snaps at RG but are even behind Tyrese Robinson.
Strange as LG2 and C3 even has a leg up on them still. But id still bet he’s LG2 and C2 in the end.
That’s true about Tyrese Robinson. If Pats cut Layden, Polk, Baker already; MANNN that draft class was a bust
This is still a bad group on paper.
The good news is they have a pretty favorable schedule.
It’s why they’re favored in 11 of their games. I don’t think it’s going to work out near that amount though. This is still a bottom third of the league roster. The Dolphins should be terrible though, and the Jets are going to hinge on what Glenn and company can get out of Fields.
Four wins this season, tops.
I think six, eight if everything breaks right, but that’s very optimistic. It’s a bad team.
I have them with 6.
Tough to say right now, but it seems like he just doesn’t fit the offense. The center experience is nice, but now a lot of teams are teaching their guards how to snap in case of a run of injuries. I haven’t checked their training camp news in a few days, but it would be interesting to see if they’re cross training any of their other guards at C.