New England Patriots top two draft picks in 2022 under scrutiny

The New England Patriots first-round pick in the first half of the season

Euphoria reigned supreme in Patriots Nation early in the season when first-round pick Strange earned the starting left guard spot from the get-go and started the Patriots first seven games. Unfortunately, the wheels then fell off his first half.

Patriotswire quotes Head Coach Bill Belichick,

"“I think Cole’s a good player, and he’s going to be a better player as he gains experience and learns how to play in the league,” said Belichick."

Strange was summarily benched by Coach Belichick for the eighth and ninth games. For a team that is depth-challenged on the offensive line, this was a drastic measure especially after having lost two starting interior linemen, Shaq Mason to trade and Ted Karras to free agency in the offseason.

The critics of critics who had panned the Strange pick at that point in the draft (an important aspect to center upon) have gone completely silent now in light of the recent benching of Strange.

Picking Strange, considered a solid player was never the issue. It was always where in the draft he was selected and/or even in selecting a guard in the first round when a tackle was and should have been a much higher priority, as the season’s unfolding has clearly borne out.

So after a nice start to the season, his play has fallen off to the point of his not playing. This would certainly bring his overall grade to date down from a nice B+ to a C.