3 Most Likely Patriots Targets After Jerod Mayo's Latest Comments
By Ryan Bunton
2. Max Mitchell, New York Jets
Max Mitchell, a fourth-round pick by the New York Jets in 2022, could provide additional options for the Patriots on their offensive line. Mitchell has appeared in 20 games for the Jets, including 12 starts.
The 24-year-old primarily projects at right tackle, where there is a bit of a roadblock on New England's depth chart. Standout Michael Onwenu was rewarded this past offseason with a three-year, $57 million contract extension. The Patriots also used a third-rounder on Caedan Wallace in the 2024 Draft, while Calvin Anderson is hopefully able to contribute following a courageous life-threatening battle with Malaria that kept him out of the Patriots final 11 games.
But if the 2023 Patriots taught us anything, it is that there are no guarantees on the offensive line. New England fielded the most offensive line combinations of any team last season. Having additional options at their disposal could help the Patriots coaching staff navigate these challenges.
Mitchell has fallen down New York's depth chart. The Jets used their 11th overall pick in April's draft on offensive tackle Olu Fashanu and signed eight-time Pro Bowler Tyron Smith in free agency. They further beefed up their offensive line by trading for 10-year vet Morgan Moses in March. Needless to say, it is hard to envision where Mitchell slides into that position group.
The Jets might show some hesitancy about trading Mitchell within the division to the Patriots, but Mitchell isn't exactly a gamebreaker and his lower standing on the depth-chart could make an intra divisional trade a moot point to New York.