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New England Patriots: Shaq Mason Named a Most Improved Second-Year Player

By Nick Ziegler

Dec 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots offensive guard Shaq Mason (69) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots offensive guard Shaq Mason (69) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Pro Football Focus recently released their list of the 10 most improved second-year players. New England Patriots guard Shaq Mason was on the list.

It was a great season for New England Patriots right guard Shaq Mason. After struggling a bit as a left guard in his first season, the move to right guard turned out to be a great move for him and the team.

For the Patriots, one of the most important things for them on offense is to protect Tom Brady. When Brady has time, he can pick apart a defense. Most notably against the Denver Broncos in the 2015 AFC Championship Game, the Patriots were unable to do that.

This season, the protection for Brady was much better, and it helped result in a Super Bowl win. In addition to the improved protection for Brady, the Patriots’ running game was much better. When Brady was suspended, the Patriots were able to rediscover their running game behind a much improved offensive line.

One of the players that really improved in the trenches for the Patriots was Mason. Harley Sherman of Pro Football Focus recently released the most improved second-year players in the NFL, and Mason came in ranked 5th. Here’s what Sherman had to say about Mason.

"With the Patriots’ offensive line in a state of flux for much of the 2015 season, Mason struggled to find his footing. He switched from LG to RG at the start of the 2015 postseason and hasn’t looked back since, grading at 84.0 in 2016 compared to his 50.7 grade in 2015. Mason was a run-blocking monster in college within Georgia Tech’s triple option offense, and he has formed one of the league’s most dominant and formidable double-team or combination blocks with RT Marcus Cannon. As a pair, they will move pretty much anybody off the line and open up space for the Patriots’ backs. His 2016 run-blocking grade finished 10th among all guards"

The right side of the Patriots’ offensive line really turned out to be a strength of the team in 2016. The combination of Mason and Marcus Cannon was one of the best in the league, and they contributed in both the running and passing offense.

For the Patriots, seeing the improvement of Mason is certainly a great thing. As a fourth-round pick in 2015, seeing Mason emerge as one of the best run-blocking guards in the NFL goes to show just how well the Patriots can develop a player.

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