Meet the Newest New England Patriot: Lester Cotton

The New England Patriots made a switch at offensive guard on Tuesday. New England released Michael Jordan, who had started 11 games at left guard for the Patriots this season. The move was made to open a roster spot for Lester Cotton, who they claimed off waivers.

Get to know the newest member of the Patriots.

Meet Lester Cotton

Cotton ranked as a four-star prospect from Central High School in Tuscaloosa, Ala. He was ranked as the No. 2 interior offensive line prospect nationally, the No. 3 prospect in Alabama, and the consensus No. 56 prospect nationally. He committed to play collegiately for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Lester Cotton was part of the same recruiting class as former Patriots running back Damien Harris, and New England linebacker Anfernee Jennings.

Alabama played Cotton in four games as a true freshman, a season in which they would win the 2015 CFP National Championship. He made five starts the following year, establishing himself as a key player along the offensive line. Cotton started 13 games at right guard in 2017. Unfortunately, he was injured in the national semifinal game against Clemson. The injury forced Cotton to miss playing in the 2017 CFP National Championship, which Alabama won.

Cotton played in 13 games in 2018, starting 10 of them. He moved from right guard to left guard that season. Alabama returned to the championship once again but lost to Clemson. He declared for the 2019 NFL Draft following the game.

Lester Cotton played 1,912 offensive snaps during his four years at Alabama. He allowed only one sack. However, he did allow 16 pressures in 2018. It was a year in which he was dealing with a change of positions, recovering from his injury, and the birth of his son. The struggles affected his draft stock.

NFL Career

Cotton received an invite to the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine. He measured 6-foot-4 and weighed 325 pounds. Despite a solid pedigree and measurables, Cotton was not selected in the 2019 NFL Draft. He signed with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent.

Lester Cotton spent most of his rookie season on the Raiders practice squad, but was signed to the active roster for one game (he played one snap on special teams). He was released on Sept. 5, 2020 and spent the season out of the league. However, Las Vegas signed him to a future contract on Feb. 9, 20221. He spent the 2021 season on their practice squad once again but played in four games for the Raiders.

Cotton made the Raiders 53-man roster in 2022. He played in 10 games, including his first NFL start. However, Las Vegas released Cotton on Dec. 15, 2023. He signed with the Miami Dolphins practice squad but did not appear in any of the Dolphins remaining games.

The Dolphins kept Cotton on their 53-man roster out of training camp. Former Patriots offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn being unavailable helped pave the way for him to make the team. Cotton played in 11 games this season. He played a total of 60 snaps on offense and 46 on special teams.

New England Patriots Guard Situation

Mike Onwenu appears locked in at right guard for the Patriots. However, based on the team’s struggles at tackle, Onwenu might be moved to right tackle. There are still several options for New England to start at guard, despite the release of starting left guard Michael Jordan.

Cole Strange, the Patriots starting left guard in 2022 and 2023, started practicing with the team last week for the first time in 2024. He has yet to be activiated from the PUP list, though that could happen within the next two weeks.

Guards already on New England’s 53-man roster include Layden Robinson, Tyrese Robinson, and Sidy Sow, in addition to Onwenu. There will be competition to earn a starting spot for the remainder of 2024. But based on Patriots’ 3-9 record, the end of this season will also serve as an audition to see which players will fit into the team’s plans beyond this season.

Lester Cotton joins his third NFL franchise with the New England Patriots. Adding a 28-year-old at a position of need is a low-risk proposition for the Patriots. It gives Cotton a chance to showcase the skills that once made him a highly sought-after prospect. Can the veteran make the most of the opportunity? Stay tuned.