The New England Patriots needed to reinforce their offensive line after giving up 52 sacks last season.
New Pats head coach Mike Vrabel prioritized that in the offseason, with the selection of Will Campbell with the 4th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. New England also signed Morgan Moses to a three-year deal in the offseason and selected another lineman in this year’s draft.
With a revamped offensive line, the Patriots have to let go of the players who are no longer needed. Either cut them to make room for the 53-man roster, or get some value from them in a trade.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay believes the Patriots could get something in return for former Bill Belichick first-round selection Cole Strange.
Cole Strange to Indianapolis?
GettyCole Strange of the New England Patriots
The former 29th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft hasn’t lived up to the first-round expectations the New England Patriots had.
Strange, who played primarily at the left guard position during college and the early part of his NFL career, will have a tough fight back for a spot in the offensive line.
The Patriots drafted center Jared Wilson in the 2025 NFL Draft, who has been receiving some snaps in training camp and preseason at left guard.
Kay believes the Patriots could trade Strange to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick in next year’s draft.
“The Patriots overhauled their offensive line this offseason, making a series of acquisitions that could lead to Cole Strange being dealt… After three relatively unproductive seasons—including missing most of 2024 with a knee injury—and regressing from starting guard to backup center, it’s time for New England to move on,” Kay wrote.
“The Pats could at least recoup a fraction of the value they utilized to acquire him by shipping him off to a team desperate for OL assistance such as the Colts.”
Possibly Remaining In Foxborough
GettyNew England Patriots offensive lineman Cole Strange
Cole Strange only played in 3 games last season after suffering a torn patellar tendon in the 2023-24 season.
In his limited action at the center spot, he appears to have impressed new Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, with the HC saying that Strange at center was impressive due to him not playing at that position at the professional level.
This could leave Strange the opportunity to make the Patriots roster as a possible starting or backup center, considering what Vrabel does.
In all, Strange has one last opportunity to prove he belongs in the league, either with the Patriots or the Colts.
“With the 27-year-old playing out the final year of his rookie deal and market set to be underwhelming when he hits free agency next year,” Kay mentioned.
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