The New England Patriots need to strengthen their offensive line and solidify a foundation up front for the next decade for second-year quarterback Drake Maye, as protecting him has been emphasized by head coach Mike Vrabel this offseason.
In 2024, the Patriots allowed the eighth-highest pressure rate in the NFL at 23.7 percent. They also ranked at the bottom of the league in offensive protection overall, per Pro Football Reference.
- 56 Scramble Yards (2nd)
- 52 Sacks: (6th)
- 151 Pressures: (9th)
- 158 Blitz: (12th)
- 56 QB Hits (12th)
Vrabel has only made a few changes to the offense since his takeover. He cut David Andrews after ten years, and was an eight-time team captain. He also brought in Garrett Bradbury and Morgan Moses for additional depth along the offensive line.
A player that Vrabel will have to evaluate and make a decision on is Cole Strange. The 2022 first-round draft pick started every game at left guard during his rookie season.
The following year, he started in all 10 games he was available. He was injured in Week 15 against the Kansas City Chiefs with a torn patellar tendon in his left knee. This ended his season, and he was put on the physically unable to perform list to begin the 2024 season.
Strange wasn’t activated until Week 16 against the Buffalo Bills, only recording three snaps on special teams. In the next two weeks to end the season, he started at center in both of them and played well at the position for the first time in his career.
Cole Strange Impressed Patriots Head Coach Mike Vrabel With His Versatility Along Offensive Line
During media availability at the NFL Owners Meeting, Vrabel addressed the offensive line issues and how they want to fix it. He mentioned the need for a left tackle, which looks like that will be added in the Draft at No. 4 overall.
Vrabel also shared an update on the center position after the release of Andrews. He mentioned that he was impressed with Strange stepping in at center for the first time in his career last season, saying he composed himself well and earned an opportunity to compete for it in 2025:
“Cole worked hard at center the last couple weeks of the season, which he did and played there. It was pretty impressive considering he hadn’t spent a bunch of time there. … I think he’ll work on the interior three, but I think to give him an opportunity to compete at center and build off of what he did at the end of last year.”
When I watched the film on Strange playing center from Weeks 17 and 18, I noticed that it looks like he gets blown up and left standing upright in the pocket. But that’s not entirely the case with Strange, considering he’s on the taller side of the position at 6-foot-5. Strange can hold his own against the defensive tackles lining up across from him, who are upwards of 10 pounds heavier than he is.
In those games, he improved from week to week in both pass protection and run blocking, according to Pro Football Focus’ grades, but the run blocking is on the lesser end, despite improving:
- Pass Protection: 74.9 (Week 17), 78.8 (Week18)
- Run Blocking: 37.2 (Week 17), 51.2 (Week 18)
It’s also worth noting that his experience playing in the interior of the offensive line at guard is essential for blocking schemes and the setup of the offensive line as a unit, due to knowing how the guard is going to work and be set next to him.
It’s important to keep in mind that Andrews owned the position for ten years and that it’s going to look a little different without him. Andrews was 6-foot-2 as a center, and Strange is 6-foot-5. It’s going to look different with him there.
A few of the top centers around the league that Strange compares to in height and weight is Frank Ragnow (6-foot-5, 310 lbs) of the Detroit Lions, Ryan Kelly (6-foot-4, 307 lbs) of the Indianapolis Colts, and new teammate Garrett Bradbury (6-foot-3, 310 lbs).
The Patriots need to decide if they want to activate the fifth-year option on Strange’s contract for 2026 by the May 1 deadline. If they do, it would give him around $17 million for next season, according to Over The Cap.
It's important to note that Strange is slotted at that contract value regardless of his position along the offensive line because he was a first-round pick in 2022.
Another possibility would be for the Patriots to just re-sign him to a longer deal and avoid the fifth-year extension process while also saving a little money as well. Strange would have to agree to this, but the Pats would go this route to extend him for less money (maybe $15 million fully guaranteed would do the trick).
This is an important year for Strange for him to lock in a substantial contract increase, but also for his future in New England. Positional versatility is an important element for Vrabel, and Strange is very close to being a three-position offensive lineman.
It would be a great move for the Pats to retain Strange moving forward.