Patriots Holding O-Line Competition, But Not Where Many Expected

FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots seem to be hosting a competition on the edge.

No surprise, right?

Arguably the biggest question mark this offseason was New England’s left tackle situation, after all. The current competition, however, does not appear to be on the left side. It’s right tackle where the Patriots have thrown out different bodies and featured different combinations during the first two days of training camp.

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Chukwuma Okorafor has served as the left tackle when expected starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett is behind center. It’s been that way throughout the two sessions, and was that way for much of the spring. Given that workload, and given Jerod Mayo’s previous sentiments about Okorafor, it’s fair to believe the veteran is inching closer and closer to cementing himself on the left side.

Right tackle, however, hasn’t featured one player more than another. Mike Onwenu, who played right tackle last season and during the spring, has not even played on the edge the last two sessions. Instead, Onwenu has played right guard and worked with a handful of right tackles.

Calvin Anderson worked with Brissett’s offense Wednesday. Vederian Lowe replaced Anderson with the first team Thursday.

Lowe started each of the two 11-on-11 competitive periods next to what figures to be the starting offensive line, from left to right, Okorafor, Sidy Sow, David Andrews and Onwenu. Those four all played alongside Anderson on Day 1.

Anderson on Thursday served as the second-string left tackle in front of Drake Maye during 11-on-11s. Third-round rookie Caedan Wallace was behind Lowe as the second-string right tackle. Onwenu played next to Wallace when Maye was behind center for the initial 11-on-11 period, but fourth-round rookie Layden Robinson was at right guard during the second 11-on-11 session.

Mayo and Patriots offensive linemen have all said that’s what happens during training camp. Onwenu, specifically, said he had no problem moving inside after signing a contract extension that paid him like a tackle. The more you know, Onwenu said. Both Okorafor and Anderson on Thursday indicated their content with the current shuffle, too.

As it currently stands, though, it’s clear the Patriots are searching for answers up front. And not at the spot many fans and media members expected this spring.