New England Patriots: Key offensive line upgrades for 2023
The New England Patriots offensive line is the key unit on the team. It commands attention before any other position than quarterback. Yet, even the very best dual-threat quarterbacks will be hindered by an underperforming offensive line.
This unit, especially at tackle, needs major attention this offseason. Last offseason, the New England Patriots dismantled 40 percent of their starting line by inexplicably jettisoning Shaq Mason and Ted Karras. They paid a heavy price.
Those poor moves also cost a first-round pick, when they felt compelled to reach for the sky to select average rookie guard, Cole Strange. That pick was wrong on a whole host of levels.
So, as the focus now is on 2023, who shapes up as the New England Patriots’ key offensive lineman, and is he on the team yet or a potential free agent or draftee?
The New England Patriots need to add offensive tackles
It behooves the New England Patriots to add big-time to their offensive tackle ranks this offseason while jettisoning those unproductive ones who now litter the roster.
The team needs to draft a top young tackle early on in the 2023 draft. If a top-rated left tackle is available at No. 14, it will behoove the team to take him right then and there.
That young tackle may be an instant starter depending on the player and what moves the team makes in free agency. Top tackles include Paris Johnson Jr. of Ohio State (who’d require a trade-up), Peter Skoronski of Northwestern, Anton Harrison of Oklahoma, and Broderick Jones of Georgia.
One or more of the above should be available when the Patriots pick at pick No. 14. If they do not sign a starting-caliber free agent left tackle, then they have to draft one of the four top players noted. He may or may not start.
If that rookie does start at offensive left tackle, he will immediately be the team’s most important offensive lineman. It goes with the turf. It’s the second most important single position on the most important unit on the entire team.
Will New England Patriots Trent Brown be the key offensive lineman?
Should the Patriots sign a top free-agent left tackle, that player will be the team’s most important offensive lineman. Someone like Orlando Brown Jr. would step right into the left tackle position.
That would be that. It would be a terrific signing and allow the team to wait a bit to draft an offensive lineman like Dawand Jones later on.
Absent that level of signing or drafting a top left tackle (Johnson or Harrison) from among the four noted who’ll start on the left side immediately, the most important offensive lineman will of necessity be Trent Brown.
A favorite in this space, Brown when healthy is a massive obstacle at either left or right tackle. If Brown plays the left as he did in 2022, he’ll be the key guy.
Next. 3 massive offensive tackles Patriots should target in free agency. dark
Hopefully, if that’s the plan, the team will still add one of the top tackles in the draft and also sign a quality right tackle like Mike McGlinchey in free agency to start immediately. That provides both a quality starter and depth. That’s the direction in which the team should go.
Who do you think will be the New England Patriots’ top offensive lineman in 2023? We’d like to hear your thoughts on this.