New England Patriots 2021: Early projections of team’s starting offense
New England Patriots offensive line
It has been suggested that this writer is a proponent of offensive line play. That is indeed the case.
If healthy, this unit on the Patriots will be one of the strongest on the entire team and will be the key to its overall success, as has been noted on numerous occasions in the past.
While the Patriots lost an All-Pro in left guard Joe Thuney, they performed a masterstroke in replacing his contribution (though not at his position) with another top lineman, a personal favorite, Trent Brown.
Brown should start at offensive left tackle, the second most important position on the team. Yet, all indications seem to point that he will instead be slotted in on the right side.
Wherever Brown is deployed, he’ll excel. But his dominating performance in 2018, the last Patriots Super Bowl-winning season says here that he should be positioned on the left.
That would shift the presumptive starter on the left, Isaiah Wynn, a great young talent with an injury history over to the right tackle.
This would seem to be a much more suitable position for him in light of his size and injury situation. he would have help on the strong side and thereby lessen the demands on him.
At guard, the Patriots will likely replace Thuney with last year’s best rookie, their sixth-round draft pick Michael Onwenu, who started mostly at right tackle last season.
Onwenu will be joined at guard by Shaq Mason an underrated bulldozing run blocker who is just a lunch-pail type, totally solid offensive lineman. Period.
The starters will be rounded out with the foundation stone in the middle, David Andrews who returns to the team after testing free agency. Another astute re-signing by the Patriots there.
The grade here is: A++. This is one of the best offensive lines in the NFL and the grade reflects it. Positioned correctly, this line could the best in the league.
Next. New England Patriots 2021 defensive starters: Early projections & reactions. dark
To sum up, here’s what the New England Patriots starting offense may look like when the whistle blows for the first offensive play on September 12:
Quarterback: Cam Newton; Running back: Damien Harris; Wide Receiver: Nelson Agholor; Tight ends: Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry; Offensive line: Isaiah Wynn, left tackle; Michael Onwenu, left guard; David Andrews, center; Shaq Mason, right guard; Trent Brown, right tackle
The overall Grade for the 2021 starting offense is: A-
What do you think the starting New England Patriots offense should look like? We’d like to hear your thoughts.