The New England Patriots had a middle-of-the-pack offensive line, allowing the 5th-fewest hits, the 14th-fewest hurries, the 16th-lowest pressure percentage, and the 9th-most sacks in 2023.
Their starting left tackle departed in free agency.
The starting left tackle of the New England Patriots signed with an AFC North team
Trent Brown became an unrestricted free agent after the Patriots did not extend him when his contract officially voided on February 19. Brown then signed a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, leaving a vacancy at the left tackle position.
The Patriots signed a right tackle to a contract.
The New England Patriots signed a right tackle to a contract
The Patriots signed Chukwuma Okorafor to a one-year, $4 million contract worth up to $8.25 million in incentives.
The director of scouting said this offensive lineman would be the starting left tackle if the season started today
Eliot Wolf told reporters that Chukwuma Okorafor would be the starting left tackle if the season started today.
“I think if the season started today, which I get on the guys about using that phrase because that can sometimes lead to bad decisions,” Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf told reporters during his Thursday press conference at Gillette Stadium. “If we had a game tomorrow, we don’t have a punt returner. Stuff like that. If the season started tomorrow, I think it would be Okorafor. But that is probably more of a question for Coach [Jerod] Mayo.”
The New England Patriots lack a definitive starter at left tackle
According to Ourlads, the Patriots have four left tackles on their depth chart, including Conor McDermott, Vederian Lowe, Tyrone Wheatley Jr., and Andrew Stueber.
McDermott will be in his eighth year in the NFL and has played in 55 games, starting 17 in his career. He played in six games and started five at left tackle in 2023, with three penalties, two sacks allowed, and a 67.8 PFF Grade.
Lowe will be in his third year in the NFL and has played in 15 games, starting eight in his career. He played in 11 games and started eight (four at LT and four at RT) in 2023, with two penalties, six sacks allowed, and a 41.7 PFF Grade.
Wheatley Jr. will be in his fifth year in the NFL and played in two games in 2023.
Finally, Stueber will be in his third year in the NFL and has yet to play a game in the NFL.
Will the New England Patriots draft a tackle in 2nd round?
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