The New England Patriots reinforced the offensive line this offseason with the selection of Will Campbell with the 4th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and signing Morgan Moses to a three-year, $24 million deal.
With answers to the tackle positions down and right guard positions answered, the Patriots need to fill the remaining interior spots
Former first-round draft pick left guard Cole Strange could find himself being the key for the O-line, but Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report believes the Pats should put Strange on the trading block.
“The New England Patriots surprised plenty of folks when they took a first-round flier on Chattanooga offensive lineman Cole Strange in 2022. While the 27-year-old has started 29 games for the Patriots, he missed most of last season with a knee injury, had his fifth-year option declined and appears to be on the roster bubble,” Knox wrote for B/R.
“With Caeden Wallace, free-agent addition Garrett Bradbury and rookie Jared Wilson all pushing for playing time along the interior, now might be a good time to pivot off of Strange. He isn’t likely to bring much in return via a trade, but his starting experience and draft pedigree might generate some interest.
“The Patriots are highly unlikely to get a compensatory pick if they allow Strange to walk in the spring—barring a stunning change in his role and performance—so any return to go with $2.4 million in cap savings could be viewed as a win.”
Playing A New Position
Cole Strange has played the majority of his collegiate and professional career at the left guard position, and will have the opportunity to play in another spot in the line.
The former UT Chattanooga Moc has been getting snaps at the center position throughout spring training.
“Cole’s worked hard at center the last couple weeks of the season. It was pretty impressive considering he hadn’t spent much time there,” Vrabel said, via Pats Pulpit. “He’ll work on the interior three, but I think you give him an opportunity to compete at center and build off of what he did at the end of last year.”
The offensive lineman believes he can play at both positions whenever needed.
“There’s definitely things that you focus on similarly at center and guard, I feel like I’m capable of that,” Strange said.
Cole Strange Working Up
Strange suffered a patellar tendon that forced him out of the final 3 games of his second season in the NFL and the majority of his third season — the lineman was able to play limited snaps the final three weeks in the 24-25 season.
While entering training camp healthy, the additions to the Patriots roster see Strange lower on the depth chart.
Rookie Jared Wilson, drafted as a center out of Georgia, has been seeing snaps at the starting left guard spot.
The O-lineman can use the preseason to help cement his spot on the Patriots roster, or it’ll help New England boost his trade value.
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