AUGUST 8: Latest England’s entire starting offense is participating in tonight’s preseason game, and as Kyed notes, that unit includes Wilson handling left guard duties. It would be interesting to see how he fares in his first NFL game motion, while Strange’s workload when the backups enter the competition will even be something to watch.
AUGUST 6: The Patriots’ offensive line is beginning to take shape, and it could find yourself resulting in a comparatively surprising cut. Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald recently observed that rookie third-round pick Jared Wilson appears to be penciled in as Latest England’s starting left guard.
ESPN’s Mike Reiss echoed Kyed’s report, noting that Wilson has impressed teammates and coaches along with his ability to decelerate a number of the team’s top interior defensive linemen. Reiss also notes that Wilson’s athleticism might be particularly useful in Josh McDaniels‘ system, which regularly sees the offense pull the guard.
If Wilson does find yourself sticking at LG, which means the Patriots shall be counting on a pair of inexperienced linemen to guard Drake Maye‘s blindside. Wilson can be lining up next to fourth-overall pick Will Campbell, a configuration that would make some fans queasy. Nevertheless, it feels like the 2 rookies are embracing the unexpected challenge.
“We just speak about how fun it’s going to be,” Wilson said of playing next to Campbell (via Karen Guregian of MassLive.com). “Such as you said, there are two rookies next to one another, left guard and left tackle, on the blindside. We understand it’s going to be a challenge each day. Teams are going to bring their best to us. Just got to be ready.”
With Wilson reportedly claiming one in every of the spots on the offensive line, the team’s starting configuration is coming into focus. Along with the 2 rookies, it feels like veteran Garrett Bradbury will man the middle spot with tackle Morgan Moses and guard Michael Onwenu handling the proper side. Which means former first-round pick Cole Strange shall be with out a role, and that would ultimately cost the lineman his spot on the team.
Kyed wrote recently that Strange might be among the many team’s surprise cuts, especially since the approaching fourth-year player is struggling to ascertain himself at guard and center. Strange was already a reach when the Bill Belichick-led regime chosen him with the Twenty ninth-overall pick within the 2022 draft, and the Chattanooga product hasn’t done much to reward the long-lasting coach’s faith.
After starting all 17 games as a rookie, Strange was limited to 10 games as a sophomore due to a torn patellar tendon. He began the 2024 campaign on the PUP list and ended up ending last season with only three appearances. The team’s recent investment within the offensive line — each via the draft and free agency — already indicated that Strange was on the surface looking in. While the 27-year-old entered training camp penciled into the starting lineup, it now feels like he’s fighting for a roster spot.
Strange’s roster spot may additionally be unsure due to the versatility of a few of his teammates. As Kyed recently noted, Caedan Wallace has been playing some offensive guard throughout training camp. The 2024 third-round pick spent nearly all of his rookie campaign playing offensive tackle, but his ability to play multiple positions could make players like Strange expendable.