New England Patriots: 3 biggest issues to address post-minicamp
No. 1: Reinforce and rearrange the New England Patriots offensive line
The Patriots offensive line quality has been praised highly in this space.
Their starting five plus one is potentially outstanding. Isaiah Wynn and Trent Brown at tackle (more on that later), Michael Onwenu and Shaq Mason at guard, and David Andrews at center are a top unit in the NFL.
In addition, they have a ready-made plug-and-play backup at all three interior positions in Ted Karras. That’s a real plus in game-day roster selection for certain.
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The problem is depth at offensive tackle. There’s not much and they need to get stronger there. They recently added a young veteran, R.J. Prince.
Prince had been on and off the Ravens roster and has never played in an NFL game so don’t expect much there. They need to make a move for someone with talent. Maybe they can sign a veteran as a backup using some cap space.
Alternatively, they could just make a trade with a team with a surplus for a mid-round draft pick. Please avoid any Jermaine Eluemunor‘s or Corey Cunningham’s, please. They can’t play. Whatever way they achieve it, they need to make a move at offensive tackle for depth.
New England also should seriously consider rearranging their starting offensive line. Trent Brown should be the main quarterback protector at offensive left tackle. That would benefit the entire offense with him and Michael Onwenu on the left. They’d pose a Great Wall of China-like barrier on that side with sheer size.
Together you’re looking at over 700 pounds of blocking excellence. In addition, moving Isaiah Wynn to the right may also help him stay on the field. They won’t do this, but they should.
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Another issue that comes into play if Gilmore is traded is cornerback. Yet, if the suggestion here is taken, they would have cleaned up the receiver issue if he goes.
They then can proceed to address that position with some depth, and that person should be Richard Sherman. So those are the suggestions. There is still work to do. should the team strengthen these three positions, then watch out AFC East, AFC, and NFL. As former Boston Celtic Kevin Garnett once said, “Anything is possibllllle!!!