Despite probably losing his best player, the New England Patriots’ offense looks terribly strong as a free agency for two days.
In a surprise move, David Andrews, the longtime center-back, rejoined the Patriots after testing the free agency and signing a new four-year contract, according to a new report.
The retention of the perennial team captain enables New England to keep its O-line anchor in place and provides a major boost to the team’s domestic depth, which suffered a blow when striking left-back Joe Thuney left for ‘ to sign a five-year- $ 80 million. contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.
While Andrews remains, the Patriots will be free to use Ted Karras – who returned to New England this week as Andrews’ expected replacement after a season with the Miami Dolphins – as their best back-up in all three innings, giving the role he during his first three years with the franchise.
With the onset of the offense in 2018, with Trent Brown also returning in a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, the Patriots’ best choice this season may look like this:
LT: Isaiah Wynn
LG: Mike Onwenu
C: David Andrews
RG: Shaq Mason
RT: Trent Brown
Top iOL Reservation: Ted Karras
Third tackle: Onwenu
Fourth tackle: Justin Herron
Brown played on the left during his first tournament with the Patriots, but was a right-hander with the Raiders and San Francisco 49ers. Onwenu, one of the biggest steal points of the 2020 NFL draft (sixth round), was New England’s right-back approach towards the end of last season, but he is a natural guard and will probably be the best option to leave Thuney.
Wynn also has guard experience (though little at the NFL level) and could bump inward as the Patriots prefer to keep Brown on the left and Onwenu at the right tackle. Herron showed a rookie in the sixth round last season and should be a valuable reserve.
The current depth map of New England is the innings, Ross Reynolds, Marcus Martin and Najee Toran, and tackles Korey Cunningham and Yodny Cajuste. They will be competing for roster spots this summer. The Patriots can also direct an approach or wait prospect in next month’s draft.
The loss of Thuney – who has started every game for the past five seasons – undoubtedly hurts. But if this current group remains healthy and intact, it has an elite unit.
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