New Patriots tackle Chuks Okorafor highlights patience in move from right to left side
As he begins spring practices as the Patriots top left tackle, Chuks Okorafor says it’s a process learning his new position.
During his pre-draft press conference last month, new New England Patriots VP of player personnel Eliot Wolf made it sound like free agent signing Chuks Okorafor would be penciled in to start spring practices as the team’s top left tackle – a major position of need. “I think if the season started tomorrow, I think it would be Okorafor,” Wolf said at the time, before adding “but that is probably more of a question for coach [Jerod] Mayo.”
Fast forward a month and that still seems to be the plan. Okorafor got most of the work at left tackle as the Patriots opened OTAs on Monday.
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For Okorafor, Monday also marked the start of a major adjustment. Through his first six NFL seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the 6-foot-6, 320-pound tackle played 3,974 snaps at right tackle, compared to just two at left tackle (and none since 2021) per PFF.
Being a true swing tackle is a unique skill and moving from one tackle spot to the other can be a significant undertaking. Basically, all movements have to be re-learned in the opposite to play on the other side. After practice on Monday, Okorafor spoke about the adjustment.
“I think it takes time,” he said when asked his comfort level in playing on the right side. “I played right my whole time in [Pittsburgh]. It’s obviously new. I’m trying to learn left as of now. I’m just trying to learn a whole new playbook. I’m trying to learn a whole new city, a whole new town. So, everything is kind of new to me now.”
“I’ve taken every single snap that I’ve taken in the last six years at right,” he continued. “So it’s learning how to set and use my hands. That kind of stuff.”
However, Okorafor isn’t jumping over to left tackle totally inexperienced. He did play his final two years in college at Western Michigan at left tackle, after starting his first two years on the right side.
Asked on Monday if moving back over to the left side ‘is like riding a bike,’ he said it’s too early to tell.
“It takes time. This is the first day to actually go against someone live, somewhat live,” he noted. “It’s obviously not real football yet, still – we don’t even have the pads on hyet. So it’s just gonna take some time.”
At the same time, Okorafor is getting what he wanted when he chose to sign with the Patriots back in March. He told reporters on Monday part of what drew him to New England was knowing he’d “have a chance to fight for a job.” At the same time, he said he wasn’t told definitively back then if it would be on the left or right side. Now that he knows it’s the left tackle job he’s competing for, he’s up to the challenge.
“f I knew I couldn’t do it, I wouldn’t have chosen to do it,” Okorafor told reporters on Monday. “It will take time, but I know who I am and what I can do.”
Okorafor’s process will be important to monitor as the Patriots go through the spring and summer. After Okorafor, the Patriots’ next top option at left tackle isn’t clear.
Third-year lineman Vederian Lowe – acquired via trade on cutdown day last year – was the next man up during Monday’s practice. More of a true swing tackle, Lowe played in 11 games making eight starts for the Patriots last year split almost evenly between the left (236 snaps) and the right (239) side. 14 of the 38 pressures and three of the six sacks Lowe allowed came while he was playing on the left side.
Rookie third-round pick Caedan Wallace also saw some time at left tackle on Monday. Like Okorafor, he’s working on switching sides after playing exclusively on the right side in college.
Keep scrolling for more on Monday’s Patriots OTA practice…
Patriots OTA notebook: Veterans get extended looks as spring practice begins
Footwork, footwork, footwork
May 11, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws a pass at the New England Patriots rookie camp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
It’s no secret that new Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt is a big believer in the importance of quarterback footwork. With Mayo saying last week Van Pelt will be the lead coach in rookie quarterback Drake Maye’s development, it shouldn’t be surprising that footwork is a focus early on.
For almost the first half of practice when the team was doing individual workouts, Van Pelt put all four Patriots quarterbacks through a variety of footwork drills. That included working on straight dropbacks, moving in the pocket, rollouts, and throwing on the run. Later in practice during team drills where were also periods that emphasized matching up footwork on under center handoffs and play action.
Watch the Patriots QB footwork drills here, here, here, here, and here.
While he still has a way to go, Maye’s footwork does look improved from where he was at while at UNC. Brissett also did a good job showcasing the natural pocket movement needed from a quarterback in Van Pelt’s system.
Throughout the day it was Jacoby Brissett leading off drills for the quarterbacks, followed by Bailey Zappe then rookies Maye and Joe Milton. Brissett and Zappe saw the majority of work in team drills although Maye did mix in later, often with the other rookies. That could be a case of the coaching staff trying to get the first-year players caught up, especially in the context of Mayo’s answer from Monday morning. We’ll see how they divvy it up during the next open practice next week.
Left tackle battle
Oct 30, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor (76) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Coming into the spring left tackle is the biggest question for the Patriots’ offense, in terms of who will be competing to play there. Monday offered the first glimpse into that battle.
Chuks Okorafor, who was mainly a right tackle during his first six NFL seasons, was the first one up during team drills. That should be expected, given Wolf told reporters prior to the draft he was the favorite to win the job.
Following Okorafor for most of the day was Vederian Lowe. After being acquired via trade during roster cuts last year Lowe played in 11 games for the Patriots and made eight starts, mostly at left tackle. It looks like the third-year pro will have a chance to compete for that job again this year.
Mixing in with Lowe was 2024 third-round pick Caedan Wallace. The Patriots said after drafting Wallace they hoped to develop him as a left tackle despite the fact he only played right in college, and started giving him reps on the left side on Monday.
It’s way too early to judge the performance of any of the tackles – it’s tough to get a real good look at linemen until the pads come on in the summer – but these seem to be the three leading candidates for the left tackle job.
At right tackle, Mike Onwneu unsurprisingly got most of the reps. Calvin Anderson saw some work over there as well.
On the inside
Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots guard Sidy Sow (62) on the line of scrimmage during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
It’s tough to get the full picture of the Patriots’ offensive line setup with Cole Strange missing practice as he works his way back from a knee injury. With him out, Sidy Sow saw the early reps at left guard.
Opposite Sow for most of the day was Nick Leverett, a free-agent signing who started 10 games over the last three years for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On the field, Leverett looks much bigger than the 6-foot-3, 310 pound frame his listed with. Rookie fourth-round pick Layden Robinson mixed in with Leverett, setting up what could be the battle for a starting guard spot opposite Sow with Strange out, or at least the top backup guard job.
2023 draft pick Atonio Mafi was busy as well. He repped at all three interior offensive line spots. That kind of versatility should help him try to win a roster spot.
JuJu Smith-Schuster back in the fold
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 24: JuJu Smith-Schuster #7 of the New England Patriots runs for a first down in the second quarter of a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 24, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
As we touched on in our OTA/Minicamp preview Monday morning, there’s going to be a major competition at wide receiver for the Patriots this year. DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, and rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker seem like roster locks, creating a tight battle for the fifth and potentially sixth wide receiver spots between veterans like JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Reagor, and K.J. Osborn.
Of that group, Smith-Schuster seemed to be the most involved on Monday. After practice he told reporters that he’s physically feeling “100 percent” after dealing with a knee injury last year. According to him, he was never better than “60 percent” last year as he managed that injury.
The other three receivers in that group got work as well. Reagor’s involvement was notable – his best case to earn a roster spot is probably primarily as a kick returner, but if he can offer the team true depth at wide receiver as well it would only help.
Meanwhile, Bourne did not take part in Monday’s practice and isn’t expected to be involved this spring according to Mayo. Bourne tore his ACL late last October. However, he did join the team on the field for most of today’s practice – but not in uniform.
Opportunities on the edge
Oct 29, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Keion White (99) reaches for the pass of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Most of the Patriots’ absences on Monday were at the linebacker position – especially on the edge. The team was without Matthew Judon, Anfernee Jennings, Jahlani Tavai, and Josh Uche on Monday. That lack of depth created opportunities for other players that were in attendance.
Two big beneficiaries of those extended opportunities were 2023 second-round pick Keion White and free agent signing Oshane Ximines. With White, there are questions about if he’ll be a defensive end or outside linebacker long-term at 6-foot-5, 285 pounds. On Monday he got a chance to experience playing standing up as an outside linebacker. Ximines is a true outside linebacker at 6-foot-4, 254 pounds and got an extended look on Monday.
Leading the way at corner
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 31: Alex Austin #28 of the New England Patriots intercepts a pass intended for Dalton Kincaid #86 of the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
Another thing we touched on in Monday’s preview is the battle at the boundary cornerback spot behind Christian Gonzalez. Gonzalez did take part in some team drills on Monday but did appear to be a bit limited as he works his way back from a season-ending shoulder injury. Jonathan Jones was there as well and worked on the boundary a bit.
After those two, the top two players getting looks at boundary cornerback were Alex Austin and Marco Wilson. Both were heavily involved, which could signal they have a step up on the one or two jobs open at that spot once camp begins.
Attendance
Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon (9) prepares for a game against the Philadelphia Eagles during the warm-up period at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
We’ve already touched on some players that weren’t in attendance on Monday. The full list of absences is…
LB Matthew Judon
LB Anfernee Jennings
LB Jahlani Tavai
LB Josh Uche
DT Davon Godchaux
WR Kendrick Bourne*
OT Zuri Henry
G Cole Strange*Bourne later joined the team on the field, but wasn’t in uniform and didn’t take part in any drills
“The attendance is great,” Mayo said before practice. “A handful of guys that aren’t here. At the same time, those guys that aren’t here are true professionals and they know what they have to do to get back and be in shape and ready to go.”
What’s next?
Aug 1, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; A general view of the New England Patriots practice fields during training camp with Gillette Stadium in the background. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
The Patriots will be back on the field on Tuesday for their second OTA practice. Their next practice that is open to the media is Wednesday, May 29.
