FOXBORO — Patriots training camp kicked off Wednesday, but it could be argued that “real football” won’t start until next week.
NFL teams are not permitted to hold padded full-contact practices until Day 7 of training camp, so it’s difficult to gauge offensive and defensive line play before Week 2. But on paper, the Patriots’ offensive line should be much improved this season compared to last season’s struggles, when injuries and poor play caused a constant rotation across the line, where 16 different players received snaps. Of those 16 players, nine remain on the Patriots’ current roster.
The Patriots selected left tackle Will Campbell with the fourth overall pick, signed veterans Morgan Moses and Garrett Bradbury at right tackle and center, respectively, and added guard/center Jared Wilson in the third round.
The Patriots’ top offensive line through two days of camp, when they’ve surrendered nine would-be sacks (which are difficult to fully project in non-padded practices) has featured Campbell at left tackle, Cole Strange at left guard, Bradbury at center, Michael Onwenu at right guard and Moses at right tackle.
But there has been some mixing and matching. Wilson has filled in for Strange and Bradbury on the first team, receiving opportunities to rise up the depth chart at left guard and center. Demontrey Jacobs has spelled Moses, who’s been eased back into practice after being limited in the spring. The backup line has consisted of rookie Marcus Bryant at left tackle, Caedan Wallace or Wilson at left guard, Wilson or Ben Brown at center, Sidy Sow at right guard and Jacobs at right tackle. Linemen who played snaps last season for the Patriots like Layden Robinson and Tyrese Robinson have been more buried on the depth chart. Last season’s starting left tackle Vederian Lowe began training camp on the PUP list.
“We got an unbelievable, talented room, and we’re growing every day,” Moses said of the offensive line. “And we got some guys that played a lot of football in that room, and some guys, the young guys, that are willing to learn and eager to learn.”
Moses has been a valuable asset for younger offensive linemen, going over technique with players after practice and studying practice film in the locker room.
He sees Campbell as being “eager to learn.”
“He’s hard on himself. I tell him, sometimes you got to give him grace. And he’s like, excuse my language. Like, (expletive) that, man. And it’s good to see man, because obviously we come from two different types of football — not saying that I’m older or anything like that, but just to be able to see that attitude and aggression to get better. It makes me want to come in every day and get better. When you got somebody like that’s pushing you on the opposite end, man, that’s when you become bookends.”
Onwenu has been impressed by Wilson, as well.
While Wilson hasn’t been in the top offensive line group, it does feel like the Patriots will give him every opportunity to earn a starting role.
“Jared is doing good,” Onwenu said. “Smart guy, tough guy, really athletic. I’m excited to see him play.”
Campbell, Onwenu and Moses seem set to start at left tackle, right guard and right tackle, but there are still decisions to be made between Strange, Bradbury, Wilson, Wallace and others at left guard and center. The Patriots still have more than a month to firm up those spots.
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