With injuries adding up, will Patriots look externally for help at tackle?
During his press conference on Monday morning, New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo didn’t rule out the team adding a veteran offensive tackle.
Just four weeks into the 2024 NFL season, the New England Patriots’ tackle position is being tested – in more ways than one.
In terms of production, left tackle has been a weak spot for the Patriots. They’ve allowed 21 pressures on that side – the most in the league per PFF (pending Monday Night Football). On the ground they’re averaging just 3.88 yards per carry running behind the left tackle – which ranks 22nd in the league per NFL GSIS stats.
Part of that is due to injuries. Through four games, the Patriots have used four different starting left tackles – Chuks Okorafor, Vederian Lowe, Caedan Wallace, and most recently Demontrey Jacobs on Sunday against the 49ers.
After four weeks Lowe, Wallace, and Jacobs are all hurt and Okorafor left the team. In the second half of Sunday’s game against the 49ers Mike Onwenu was the only available tackle who was with the team in camp – a camp that he spent a good chunk of at guard. Jacobs – who was a waiver claim by the Patriots after final roster cuts – was the only true tackle that was healthy.
Meanwhile, Onwenu has started all four games at right tackle, after spending a good portion of the summer working at guard. Onwenu looks like he’d be best at guard right now, but the lack of options at tackle could be preventing the Patriots from making that move. The only other true tackles in the building are Caleb Jones and Jalen McKenzie, who are both on the practice squad, neither of whom have appeared in an NFL regular season game.
Given those issues, some have wondered why the Patriots haven’t looked outside the organization for tackle help. There are some established veterans available in free agency. With tackle talent so sparce in the NFL right now, a player being available at this point in the season at that position could be seen as a red flag. Yet at this point, should the Patriots take a chance?
That’s what head coach Jerod Mayo was asked during his Monday morning press conference. “Eliot [Wolf, EVP of Player Personnel] and I have those conversations all the time. We actually‑ we’re going to meet today,” Mayo said. “We are always trying to find ways to improve our roster, and so that’s always under consideration.”
While that’s not a guarantee, Mayo also didn’t rule out the team making a veteran tackle signing. That’s not something he’s against doing either – last week he directly dismissed the idea of the team adding a veteran quarterback behind Jacoby Brissett to avoid having to play Drake Maye earlier than planned due to injury.
If the Patriots do look to sign a veteran tackle, there are a few names to know. Most are players coming off of significant injuries. The main one is longtime Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari, who was drafted when Wolf worked in Green Bay’s personnel department. Bakhtiari, who turned 33 on Monday, is a five-time All-Pro, but last received a nod in 2020.
Since tearing his ACL late in that 2020 season Bakhtiari has played just 13 total games in three years as he’s dealt with a string of injuries. He played just one game last year before suffering another season-ending knee injury that led to his fifth knee surgery since December 2020.
Another longtime starting left tackle still available is D.J. Humphries, who was released by the Arizona Cardinals in the spring after eight years with the team. Over the last two years Humphries, 30, performed well when on the field but suffered a season-ending back injury two years ago, and right now is coming off of a torn ACL that he suffered in Week 17 last season.
Charles Leno is another name that has come up with nine years of starting left tackle experience. Leno, who turns 33 next month, was placed on IR late last year due to a calf injury causing him to miss his first games since 2015. Leno also underwent hip surgery in March, after being released by the Commanders.
As for options who are not coming off of injuries, the choices are slim. The most common name that gets brough up there is Donovan Smith, but the 31-year-old is coming off of a season in Kansas City where he was one of the worst left tackles in football. In 13 games he allowed 42 pressures on 506 pass blocking snaps and was called for nine penalties – the 11th-most by any tackle in the NFL despite missing a quarter of the season.
42-year-old Jason Peters is also still looking to play, and met with the Seattle Seahawks last week. Peters was a career left tackle before moving over to the right side in Seattle last year.
If the Patriots do end up making a move, they have the flexibility to do so. The team has an open roster spot at Week 5 begins.
