Offensive Tackle Tabbed as Patriots Biggest Need Before Camp

New England Patriots veterans report to training camp on July 23. While camp is approaching quickly, there is still work that can and should be done before it gets underway. This applies to all 32 NFL teams, even those seemingly in good shape. CBS Sports attempted to identify each team’s biggest need ahead of 2024 training camp. For New England, the selection came down to two positions.

The heavy lifting for roster building was largely done through the NFL Draft and free agency. Despite offseason work of front offices, teams can still make adjustments. In many cases, they still should. Josh Edwards of CBS Sports chose “the most pressing need” for each franchise.

Edwards settled on offensive tackle, though the decision was not easy. He wrote:

“The choice between wide receiver and offensive tackle was a knock-down-drag-out fight. Both are critical needs, but it all starts up front with the offensive line.”

Also Read – Patriots Pick Caedan Wallace at No. 68 in the 2024 NFL Draft

Did CBS Sports get this correct?

New England’s Offensive Tackles

The Patriots have no issues with the quantity of offensive tackles. Options include Mike Onwenu, Chukwuma Okorafor, Caedan Wallace, Calvin Anderson, Vederian Lowe, Tyrone Wheatley Jr., Liam Fornadel, Zuri Henry, and guard Sidy Sow. The quality of the group is still TBD.

Edwards touched on two of the tackles in his write-up:

“They signed Chukwuma Okorafor from Pittsburgh in free agency, but the Steelers already deemed him not good enough to start in the Steel City. He is a viable third tackle option for a team. Mike Onwenu is penciled in as the starter at right tackle, which is a role he has adequately filled in the past.”

However, while starting Okorafor at left tackle and Onwenu on the right side is the popular thinking, it is far from a lock. Rookie Caedan Wallace could start at right tackle, moving Mike Onwenu inside to guard. There is also a chance of Wallace starting on the left side, though that seems unlikely given his lack of experience there and where he lined up in minicamp. Anderson, Lowe, and Wheatley Jr. could also compete with Okorafor for the starting spot at left tackle.

If New England needs to turn to outside help, there are still free options available. Among the most intriguing are Charles Leno Jr. and David Bakhtiari.

New England’s Wide Receivers

Since CBS Sports discussed that it was a toss-up between offensive tackle and wide receiver, it’s worth taking a look at the New England Patriots wide receiver room. In deciding on offensive tackle as the most pressing need, Edwards wrote, “Wide receiver also has a few young players, such as Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker that should at least be entertaining.”

The time to add a marquee wide receiver seemed to pass once it didn’t happen at the NFL Draft. Making a move for Brandon Aiyuk, Tee Higgins, Devante Adams, or another elite option would have been fun. However, the timeline for New England to compete for championships might not line up with investing big on a wide receiver just yet. And the salaries of wide receivers has increased astronomically this offseason as well.

In addition to the two rookies referenced by Edwards, the Patriots have veterans Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, K.J. Osborn, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, and Kayshon Boutte. There will be a lot of competition in camp.  However, at wide receiver, it does not appear there is anything else for New England to do before training camp. The key will be how players perform once camp begins.

Another Option for the New England Patriots

Aside from offensive tackle, two other positions where the Patriots could still boost their roster via free agency are defensive end and cornerback. It is unclear if New England has any edge players who can play with a hand in the dirt aside from Deatrich Wise Jr. and Keion White. The depth behind them is short on NFL experience.

Cornerback is another position that could be bolstered by an addition from the open market. Christian Gonzalez and Jonathan Jones are presumed starters. Behind them on the depth chart is a lot of players with potential, but the range goes from potential starter to not making the 53-man roster. Nine corners are fighting for perhaps three jobs. Is New England content seeing how the competition plays out between Alex Austin, Isaiah Bolden, Marcellas Dial Jr., Kaleb Ford-Dement, Azizi Hearn, Marcus Jones, Mikey Victor, Shaun Wade, and Marco Wilson?

For both of these positions, there are still quality unsigned NFL free agents worth exploring.

Final Thought

When addressing the “most pressing need” for the Patriots before training camp, it could be argued that none of those positions is the correct answer. What is most important for both 2024 and beyond is getting extensions completed with core players set to hit free agency in 2025. The New England Patriots should be working on extending Davon Godchaux, Matthew Judon, Jabrill Peppers, and Jonathan Jones before training camp gets underway.