Patriots top 5 positional needs to address in the new league year

Upgrading the New England Patriots offensive tackles

No, that is not a typo. It’s obvious to New England Patriots Nation that Mac Jones needs to be protected better. Usually that means a new left tackle. But in this case, Jones needs a fresh pair of bookends to keep him clean.

According to Pro Football Focus, left tackle Trent Brown tied for most penalized at his position with 13. He was also tied for fifth in sacks allowed with eight.

Opposite of Brown was Isaiah Wynn, flipped from left last year to right. Wynn failed in the first metric: availability. He started just nine games, barely half the season. And when he played, Wynn was flagged nine times and allowed four sacks. If Wynn played a full season, the penalties and sacks would be almost doubled.

Wynn is also a free agent. It would be practically shocking if the Patriots bring him back.

The offensive line as a whole didn’t have a good season. Run blocking was inconsistent, particularly in short yardage situations. And they allowed 41 sacks. So it’s not only Brown and Wynn’s fault. But the interior line play wasn’t as bad as what the Patriots got on the outside.

New England is in great position to select a very talented tackle, if they use the 14th pick overall on one. Whether he plays left or right doesn’t matter. The question becomes will the Patriots draft two. It’s possible Brown anchors the blind side for one more year while his replacement is groomed on the right. It’s also possible a veteran is acquired for one of the two spots.