In the last edition of “Patriots Free Agency Focus,” we took an in-depth look at the Patriots’ pass rush. Today we will focus on the group tasked with neutralizing the opponent’s pass rush and creating lanes for the run game: the offensive line.
If the Patriots want to continue to contend, they’re going to have to effectively protect Tom Brady. Although the offensive line play was solid all season and throughout much of Super Bowl LII, it was a compromised blocking assignment on Brandon Graham that led to the strip sack that torpedoed the team’s chances at a game-winning drive. Simply put, the trenches are where games are won and lost.
Patriots Free Agents
The interior of the Patriots offensive line consists of three young, established players who are currently under contract. The nucleus of David Andrews, Joe Thuney, and Shaq Mason will not be affected by this offseason, and right tackle Marcus Cannon will also return for 2018 after an injury ended his 2017 campaign. The team has three offensive tackles slated to hit free agency this year, including long-time starter Nate Solder and reliable backups Cameron Fleming and LaAdrian Waddle. Waddle and Fleming would both be inexpensive, but, given that the team has young tackles like Antonio Garcia and Cole Croston in the pipeline, either is expendable. At most, the Patriots would likely bring back one of these two players, with Fleming being the better bet on a team-friendly deal. On the other hand, Solder has given the team reliable left tackle play since being drafted in the first round back in 2011. Given the weak crop of tackles set to hit the free agent market, he is likely to command a huge price tag--potentially somewhere near $10 million annually. Although I would love to see him return, I feel as thought the team would be reluctant to dole out that kind of money, especially with the defensive trenches in such a sorry state. If Solder returns, expect it to be on a team-friendly deal. Otherwise, look for Cannon to slide over to left tackle in 2018 or for there to be open competition at the position.
Free Agent Targets
Considering that the Patriots’ best offensive lineman, second team all-pro Marcus Cannon, will return to his starting right tackle position in 2018 after finishing his 2017 season on IR and that the Patriots’ free agent tackles are some of the best on the market, I don’t necessarily covet any other free agent offensive linemen. In terms of offensive tackles to replace Solder (should he leave) or our swing tackles, there is one target I have my eye on: Greg Robinson. An ultra-talented 25 year old who was the second overall pick out of Auburn back in the 2014 Draft, Robinson never developed into a great player under Jeff Fisher, and he fell out of favor in the Sean McVay regime after the new-look Rams acquired tackle Andrew Whitworth. Traded to Detroit for a brief stint and now a free agent, the Patriots and Dante Scarnecchia could finally offer an opportunity for Robinson to capitalized on his immense talent. Otherwise, look for the Patriots to turn to the draft, their young guys already in the system, or one of their own free agent tackles to build the offensive line this offseason.
(Images via Patriots.com and Bleacher Report)
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