FOXBORO — Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels spent Thursday afternoon talking up his offensive line.
The group includes rookie starters at left tackle in Will Campbell and left guard in Jared Wilson.
“I think, generally speaking, our pass protection has been pretty sound,” McDaniels said.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye also defended his offensive line this week, saying the majority of the 34 times he’s been sacked have been his fault.
The stats and film back that up.
Wilson, a college center, won the starting job at left guard this summer over players like Ben Browns, Caedan Wallace and Cole Strange. He’s started eight of the first nine games of the season and let up four sacks, five QB hits and 12 hurries.
It’s possible that Wilson’s future might still be at center, but he’s been good enough at left guard to start on a 7-2 squad. If the 6-foot-3, 310-pound offensive lineman can continue to build up his playing strength, the Patriots also could elect to keep him at left guard and eventually find a center to replace Garrett Bradbury, who’s 30 years old and on a two-year contract.
The Patriots have perhaps the fastest left side of the offensive line in the NFL. Wilson ran a 4.84-second 40-yard dash, which ranks in the 99th percentile among guards. Campbell’s 4.92-second 40-yard dash ranks in the 92nd percentile among tackles, and Bradbury’s 4.92-second 40-yard dash ranks in the 97th percentile among centers.
Outside of pass protection, the Patriots’ run blocking also has improved in recent weeks. The Patriots rushing attack struggled to begin their six-game winning streak, but they’ve rushed for over 100 yards in three straight games now.
The offensive line has its work cut out for itself this week against the blitz-heavy Buccaneers, who rank high in pressure rate.
Get to know Wilson more on and off the field in our latest New Patriots Q&A installment.
First football memory?
“That’s a good question. I don’t really know. Probably high school sometime. Probably freshman year (at West Forsyth High School in Clemmons, N.C.), because that’s when I started playing. Probably, yeah, my freshman year of high school, and then meeting my buddies that are still my buddies today.”
Were you always an offensive lineman?
“Like the first two weeks of my freshman year, summer workouts, I was a D-lineman, but then it was like, ‘OK, you’re going to tackle.’”
Top high school football memory?
“Probably my first offer.”
Who was that from?
“Syracuse.”
Top college football memory.
“Winning the SEC championship (over Texas) last year.”
What made Georgia so special?
“Its history. I mean, it’s Georgia. You hear Georgia, and it’s just like, ‘Yep, that’s Georgia.’”
What would you be doing if you weren’t a football player,
“Video games, construction, something like that.”
Favorite athlete growing up?
“Basketball, like Steph Curry. Football, Cam Newton.”
Do you have a favorite movie?
“Probably ‘Sinners.’”
Who have you been closest with on the team so far?
“The O-line.”
Who’s the funniest player on the team?
“Maybe Marcus Bryant. You got Christian Barmore, Mack Hollins. There’s a lot of good guys.”
What do you like the most about the New England region so far,
“It’s quiet where I’m at. Medfield is really quiet.”
Do you have a hidden talent?
“No. I’m pretty good at video games. I don’t think that’s hidden. But, yeah.”
What’s your top game?
“‘Call of Duty.’”
Is there a topic you know more about than anyone else in the locker room?
“Snakes.”
Do you have a snake?
“I used to. I’m gonna get another one.”
And one last question I heard Garrett Bradbury and Will Campbell were debating who’s faster between them? Are you faster than both of them?
“Oh yeah.”
So, you’re the fastest offensive lineman?
“Oh yeah.”
