Patriots' 6 Biggest Priorities After 2024 Minicamp
2. Solidify a starting offensive line
One of the bigger points of emphasis this offseason for the Patriots is going to be solidifying the starting offensive line. There have been a number of changes made this offseason to the starting five, both by choice from the team as well as things that are completely out of their control.
Specifically, the Patriots are likely going to have to start the 2024 regular season without 2022 first-round pick Cole Strange, who suffered a major knee injury in December. Strange is rehabbing his way back from a torn patellar tendon, and is expected to be months away from playing again.
The Pats were able to bring back Mike Onwenu this offseason, and from the sounds of things at OTAs, Onwenu is going to be playing the right tackle position with free agent acquisition Chukwuma Okorafor on the left side. The Patriots added Caedan Wallace in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but it sounds like Okorafor has all but solidified himself in the lineup for this season.
"We'll see how it works out but their decision seems to be Chuks Okorafor at left tackle and retaining Ownenu and drafting a potential swing tackle/starter behind them...
- Patriots.com
...So far Okorafor has been a fixture at left tackle for the offense and will be one of the focal points when things start to get more physical in training camp. The protection generally had a hard time without pads in the spring."
That certainly isn't going to help anyone sleep at night, but offensive lines can get better over time if they can remain a cohesive unit. The Patriots need some type of continuity up front regardless of who is going to be playing quarterback.