The New England Patriots have a couple of spots locked in for their 2024 offensive line at organized team activities with David Andrews starting at center and Michael Onwenu starting at right tackle.
Left tackle is a battle between rookie Caedan Wallace and veteran Chukwama Okorafor while both guard spots are open for competition.
If everyone was healthy, Cole Strange would probably be the starting left guard this year, but he’s currently recovering from a knee injury he suffered last season.
Strange, 25, was a first-round pick in 2022, but he’s yet to live up to his draft position. When he’s out there, he hasn’t looked like one of the league’s best.
Pro Football Focus’ Thomas Valentine recently ranked the top 32 guards in the NFL, and Strange landed at the last spot.
Here’s what Valentine had to say:
“Despite being a surprise pick for the Patriots in 2022, Strange has emerged as a force and improved his 54.6 PFF overall grade in his rookie season to 64.6 in 10 games this past year.
Strange has started every game he’s played since being drafted and will look to continue to develop into a strong starting offensive lineman in New England.”
That feels about right for Strange. He’s a borderline starter at this point.
The worst part of the rankings for the Patriots is that Shaq Mason, who Bill Belichick traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers back in 2022, was listed higher at No. 19.