The New England Patriots need a major offensive line makeover among other needs, especially in the offensive tackle position. One way to remedy that blatant deficiency in the most important unit on the team is through the 2023 NFL Draft.
There are some great options that may be available to the team when they select in the first round at pick No. 14 in late April. Unless they decide to trade down to gain more picks, the choice has to be the best offensive tackle available at pick No. 14.
Alternatively, if they can move up to around pick seven (held by the Las Vegas Raiders, a team that may be a trade candidate for the Patriots’ Mac Jones), then the pick is clear, it’s Paris Johnson of Ohio State.
He’s the best fit for the New England Patriots and checks all the boxes for a starting NFL left or right tackle either immediately or in the near future.
New England Patriots missed the ball on the offensive line in 2022
The team whiffed on a chance to add to the position in the 2022 offseason and it cost them dearly. With a quarterback who lacks escapability like Mac Jones, it’s critical to have top pass protection.
Should they trade down for more picks, then an interesting choice would be a massive bookend to Trent Brown, Dawand Jones also of Ohio State. But all things considered, taking the best available offensive tackle with their first pick in the first round is the choice.
In addition to the draft, the team also needs to secure a starting offensive tackle in free agency. Let’s take a look at three who would fit the bill.
New England Patriots free agent target: Mike McGlinchey
The offensive line is the key to the entire team’s success. After the quarterback, no component of the entire operation is as critical to get right. In 2022, the New England Patriots flopped there. They traded guard Shaq Mason and let guard (and center) Ted Karras walk.
They then felt obligated to reach way up to waste a first-round pick on a guard, Cole Strange, to replace one of them. Meanwhile, the dire need for an offensive tackle or two remained. Mike McGlinchey of the 49ers has to be a top option.
Free agent Mike McGlinchey is an immediate starter on the right side for New England. He’s a big tackle at 6’8″ tall weighing 310 pounds with huge 10″ hands. McGlinchey would slot right into that position as Isaiah Wynn likely departs in free agency. He’d be a huge improvement.
McGlinchey is Pro Football Focus’s (PFF) second-ranked free-agent offensive tackle. Here’s part of what they say about the 49ers McGlinchey,
"McGlinchey hasn’t quite lived up to his top-10 pick billing coming out of the 2018 NFL Draft, but he is a quality starter at right tackle who has returned to form after suffering a torn quadriceps in 2021. He’s dealt with various minor injuries over the years but has done well to avoid missing much time overall."
Mike McGlinchey would be a great addition.
New England Patriots free agent target: Taylor Lewan
PFF lists Taylor Lewan of Jacksonville as the third-best OT in the free agent market. Pass protection, a key need for the team, is Lewan’s forte.
PFF notes,
"Taylor had a career year as a pass protector, earning his highest pass-blocking grade with a 76.4 mark that landed him in the top 25 among tackles on the year. Taylor allowed pressure on just 2.5 percent of dropbacks, the third-lowest mark among tackles in the NFL, though quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s lightning-quick 2.51-second average time to throw certainly helped. However, Taylor’s 76.7 pass-blocking grade on true pass sets still ranked 14th among tackles and his 5.2% pressure rate allowed was a top-10 mark."
Lewan with his 6’7″ frame at 305 pounds is another long tackle for the outside. As the team learned the hard way with Wynn, length at tackle is essential not an option.
Lewan is 31 years old, making him a bit less attractive. Yet, should the New England Patriots actually defy the odds and do the right thing by drafting a young tackle in the first round, then Lewan can be an excellent transitional player until he’s ready to step up into the starting lineup.
That could eventuate sometime this season or if the team doesn’t re-sign Trent Brown to an extension beginning in 2024. Regardless, the rookie would be a terrific first backup off the bench in a position that sees injury attrition every season.
New England Patriots free agent target: Orlando Brown Jr.
Should the Patriots decide to go all-out and all-in for a free-agent tackle, then PFF’s number one guy is Orlando Brown Jr. Brown is a massive 6’8′ tall, weighs 340 pounds, and will be beginning only his age 27 season. He’s just entering his prime, a huge added incentive.
Here’s what PFF has to say about Brown,
"After threatening to hold out for the 2022 season following a franchise-tag saga that didn’t culminate in a long-term deal, Brown turned a slow start into a strong second half protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes. From Week 10 to the end of the regular season, Brown’s 88.7 pass-blocking grade ranked third best among left tackles. He may not become one of the game’s true top tackles given his much-maligned athletic limitations, but he’s a very reliable blindside protector who has succeeded in two diametrically opposed offensive schemes."
The Patriots could do a lot worse than signing Brown, the Super Bowl-winning left tackle from the Champion Chiefs if he becomes a free agent. It will take big bucks to do so but you can’t skimp on the team’s top unit, especially on the second most important single position on your entire team.
Make cuts elsewhere if you have to, but spending on a top left tackle like Brown can’t be anything but a huge positive if he’s healthy. Add Orlando Brown Jr. to a top draftee and the offensive tackle situation could be strong for years.
Those are three top options at offensive tackle in free agency for the New England Patriots. They can go really big in the draft and a bit lesser in free agency or vice versa. Either way, they need at least two starting-level tackles, and now is the time to get them.