Cole Strange’s return could come with a position change
With the New England Patriots facing uncertainty at center, 2022 first-round pick Cole Strange could get a look at that position once he’s healthy.
Following David Andrews’ season-ending shoulder injury, the New England Patriots are facing uncertainty at center. That’s in large part because team lacks experience at the position overall. Nick Leverett made just his second career start at the position last week. Practice squad member Bryan Hudson played center in college but has yet to log an NFL snap.
This week the Patriots made some moves to address that lack of depth, signing Ben Brown to the active roster and Sincere Haynesworth to the practice squad. However Brown has just one game of NFL experience – when he played guard – and Haynesworth is a rookie.
Those will be the options the Patriots have to juggle at center in the immediate future. However more help could be coming later on this season – from a familiar name.
Prior to getting drafted by the New England Patriots in the first round in 2022, Cole Strange was a standout at the Senior Bowl. Not only did Strange work at his natural position of guard during that week, but impressed scouts at center as well.
With Andrews established as the starting center, Strange played his first season and a half with the Patriots at guard. Strange started gaining momentum late last year but a serious knee injury (a torn patellar tendon) ended his season early. That same injury has kept him off the field so far this year as well, and he remains on PUP through Week 6.
When Strange does return, it will be to a Patriots offensive line that has more certainty at guard but the previously noted questions at center. Given that, would the Patriots look to move him inside once he’s fully healthy?
“100 percent,” head coach Jerod Mayo said on Friday when asked that question. “I mean, any of those interior spots. He can play a guard, and he can play center. And we have to get the best person out there. And I think he has the ability, the physical tools to be able to do it.”
Of course for that to happen, Strange has to get back on the field. Mayo’s update on Friday didn’t add much clarity to the timeline.
“He’s starting to look like an NFL player and he’s getting better,” Mayo said, referring to Strange’s rehab process. “We’ll see what happens as we go forward.” Mayo added Strange isn’t yet at the point where he’s on the field working on snaps.
Given that it could be a bit until Strange makes his return. Still, his eventual return is something to keep in mind when it comes to the Patriots’ center position moving forward.