Predicting New England Patriots depth chart: Pre-minicamp edition

OFFENSIVE LINE (10)

Nate Solder (T)

Sebastian Vollmer (T)

Marcus Cannon (T)

Cameron Fleming (T)

Bryan Stork (C)

David Andrews (C)

Tre’ Jackson (G)

Shaq Mason (G)

Jonathan Cooper (G)

Joe Thuney (G)

Practice squad: Ted Karras

Cut: Josh Kline, Chris Barker, LaAdrian Waddle, Keavon Milton

When the injury bug crushed the Patriots’ offensive line last season, it signalled the beginning of the end. This season, an infusion of interior talent in the form of Cooper and Thuney will go a long way toward a better protected Brady (and Garoppolo in the first month).

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The nice thing about Thuney is the fact that he played all five positions on the offensive line in college, so if need be, he can swing out to left or right tackle. The Patriots didn’t take Thuney with their second selection in the 2016 NFL Draft without a reason. In fact, the Patriots have a versatile group of interior lineman overall, as Stork and Andrews can pull double duty at guard and center if need be.

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You see that Kline is projected to get cut, and the reasoning there stems from the history lesson of Logan Mankins. The Patriots like to shed aging offensive linemen, even if they were productive the year before (at times, Kline was the Pats’ best lineman). Plus, the Patriots are better off sticking with the younger guards and retaining draft pick Karras on the practice squad.

Next: Defensive line (8)