6 Patriots Whose Stock Has Fallen Ahead of Training Camp

4. Cole Strange, Guard

Former first-round pick Cole Strange is recovering from an injury that cut his 2023 season short, and the thinking is right now that he won't be available for the start of the 2024 season.

The Patriots were blasted for selecting Strange in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft anyway, but then he struggled in his first two NFL seasons and now is dealing with an injury/recovery that could cost him dearly.

The Patriots have a new offensive scheme being installed by new coordinator Alex Van Pelt. It was revealed in June that Strange is recovering from a torn patellar tendon in his knee, an injury the Patriots kept under wraps for most of this year. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported back in May that Strange would miss the start of the season and could be out until the middle of the 2024 campaign.

While Strange is eligible for an extension after this season, this news is detrimental for a variety of reasons. First, the Patriots need their best five out there blocking for Brissett or Maye. Second, anytime a player is eligible to come back in the middle of the season, you always run seemingly a greater risk of setback.

The arrow is pointing down for Strange at the moment. The Patriots need to make sure they take things slow with him as this kind of injury has cost some players their career in the past.