Patriots 90-Man Roster Spotlight: Center David Andrews

The New England Patriots can have up to 90 players under contract during the offseason. Patriots Football Now will profile all 90 of these players (though there are currently only 88 on the roster) over the upcoming months. Today’s profile is on center David Andrews.

David Andrews

The New England Patriots signed Andrews as an undrafted free agent following the 2015 NFL Draft. Andrews played his college ball for the Georgia Bulldogs. He was a three-year starter at center and a team captain in 2014. Andrews helped block for future NFL running backs Todd Gurley, Nick Chubb, and Sony Michel.

Andrews was considered a potential backup along the interior of the offensive line. However, New England had a rookie starting center returning from their 2014 Super Bowl team in Bryan Stork. They also used a pair of fourth-round picks in 2015 on guards Tre’ Jackson and Shaq Mason. But despite facing an uphill battle to make the roster, Andrews had a believer in Bill Belichick, who had personally worked him out at Georgia’s Pro Day.

Also Read: New England All-Time Staff and Roster of the Bill Belichick Era

David Andrews did not just make the 2015 Patriots 53-man roster, he ended up starting Week 1 as a rookie when Stork began the season on injured reserve. Stork would ultimately get his job back that season, but Andrews appeared in 14 games, starting 11. He impressed enough that the team parted ways before the 2016 season, and the job has been Andrews ever since.

Despite never making a Pro Bowl, Andrews has been incredibly valuable during his tenure in Foxboro. He’s played in 120 regular season games, 12 playoff games, won two Super Bowls, and been a team captain for the past seven seasons.

Unsung hero of Super Bowl LIII: #Patriots C David Andrews

Watch Andrews hold his block in one-on-one pass protection for five seconds on this play, then fall on Tom Brady's fumble. Rams could've had possession in NE territory… pic.twitter.com/mjWiwKpq6M

— Kevin Boilard (@KevinBoilard) February 5, 2019

Pro Football Focus gave David Andrews a grade of 71.2 for his 2023 performance. It was his lowest grade since 2020, but still a solid season. Andrews’ highest grade (83.5) came in 2017. His run-blocking graded out significantly higher than his pass-blocking last season. He allowed 30 QB pressures and six sacks. Andrews had previously never allowed more than two sacks in a season.

Contract Status

David Andrews has one year remaining on his contract with the Patriots. He accounts for $8.425 million against the salary cap this season if he makes the 53-man roster. Andrews will be an unrestricted free agent in 2025.

Center Depth Chart

David Andrews is the starting center for the New England Patriots. There is no expectation of that changing for the 2024 season. Last year New England used a fourth-round pick to draft center Jake Andrews, a possible replacement for their captain down the road. However, it is unclear if Jake Andrews was a “Bill Belichick pick” the current regime would be comfortable moving on from. This year’s rookie class has two more potential centers in fourth-round pick Layden Robinson (who played guard exclusively in college) and UDFA Charles Turner III.

Outlook for David Andrews

Andrews heads into his tenth NFL season, tying him with Joe Cardona for the longest tenure on the team. It is unclear whether Andrews will consider retirement after this coming season, return to Foxboro for more, or exit in free agency (possibly to rejoin Bill Belichick?).

Rookie Drake Maye can help bring excitement back to not only Patriots fans but his teammates as well. His new center said of Maye, “He’s got some good energy about him.”

While Drew Bledsoe recently pointed out the benefit of Maye getting to work with offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, the chance to learn from a veteran like Andrews should also help the rookie quarterback develop. For his part, Andrews has no intentions of taking it easy on his new QB.

“I think it’s a long year for a lot of the rookies, and as a veteran, you’ve got to be tough on them. You’ve got to help them try to achieve,” said Andrews. “I believe that cause a lot of the veterans were hard on me. They pushed me a lot. That’s how you learn: Getting pushed and challenged.”

Andrews added, “I’m super excited to get to work with him.”

David Andrews is entering his tenth NFL season. The 31-year-old has been an invaluable asset to the New England Patriots, both on and off the field. If New England gives Drake Maye playing time as a rookie, Andrews needs to improve his pass protection from a year ago. Despite his incredible leadership and advice, keeping his young quarterback upright is still the most important part of his job. Fans would love to see Andrews have a big year, and then sign an extension to enable him to finish his NFL career in the same place it began.