Despite arguably losing its best player, the New England Patriots’ offensive line is looking terribly strong after two days at the free agency.
In a surprise move, longtime star David Andrews returned to the Patriots after testing the free agency, signing a new four-year contract on Thursday night, according to several reports.
Keeping the team captain for several years allows New England to keep its O-line anchor in place and provides a great boost to the team’s internal depth, which suffered a blow when top bodyguard Joe Thuney left to sign a contract five-year, $ 80 million contract with Kansas City chiefs.
With Andrews remaining, the Patriots will be free to use Ted Karras – who returned to New England this week as Andrews’ expected replacement after a season with the Miami Dolphins – as his primary reserve at all three indoor locations, repeating the role that he played during his first three years with the franchise.
With Trent Brown starting in 2018 also returning in an exchange with the Las Vegas Raiders, the Patriots’ first-choice offensive line this season could look something like this:
LT: Isaiah Wynn
LG: Mike Onwenu
C: David Andrews
RG: Shaq Mason
RT: Trent Brown
Main iOL reserve: Ted Karras
Third tackle: Onwenu
Fourth tackle: Justin Herron
Brown played on the left side during his first spell with the Patriots, but was a right-wing tackle with the Raiders and San Francisco 49ers. Onwenu, one of the biggest steals in the NFL Draft 2020 (sixth round), was New England’s top right tackle at the end of last season, but he is a natural guard and would probably be the best bet to replace Thuney who left.
Wynn also has a guarding experience (albeit little at the NFL level) and can hit the inside if the Patriots choose to put Brown on the left tackle and Onwenu on the right tackle. Herron showed potential on the swing as a rookie in the sixth round last season and should be a valuable reserve.
Completing the current New England depth chart are interior strikers Ross Reynolds, Marcus Martin and Najee Toran and face Korey Cunningham and Yodny Cajuste. They will compete for places on the list this summer. The Patriots may also target a tackle or guard perspective in next month’s draft.
Losing Thuney – who started every game in the past five seasons – certainly hurts. But if this current group remains healthy and intact, it will have the characteristics of an elite unit.
Miniature photo via Greg M. Cooper / USA TODAY Sports Images