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New England Patriots: Offensive line drops in Pro Football Focus rankings

By Nick Ziegler

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 01: Georgia offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn speaks to the media during NFL Combine press conferences at the Indiana Convention Center on March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 01: Georgia offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn speaks to the media during NFL Combine press conferences at the Indiana Convention Center on March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Pro Football Focus recently ranked all of the offensive lines in the NFL heading into the 2018 season. For the New England Patriots, they saw themselves drop from last season.

Over the past few seasons, the New England Patriots have had one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. In the NFL, protecting the quarterback is one of the most important things for a team to do and the Patriots have done it well.

Even though Tom Brady is one of the greatest of all-time, even he needs to be properly protected in order to succeed. Since Brady isn’t a mobile quarterback, the Patriots have also done their best to give him a solid offensive line. When he gets time, the Patriots’ offense truly becomes unstoppable. However, Brady and the Patriots have been vulnerable when teams are able to get pressure on him.

Last season, the Patriots had the third-highest ranked offensive line in the league according to Pro Football Focus. However, this season, they are starting out ranked eighth. Here’s what PFF had to say about the offensive line.

"While the interior for the Patriots is solid, the big questions come at tackle. Marcus Cannon is coming back from an ankle injury that placed him injured reserve last year and has only one season graded above 80.0 in his career. Trent Brown on the other hand is currently penciled in at left tackle after having spent his career in San Francisco on the right side and only cracking an overall grade above 70.0 in 2017. First-round pick Isaiah Wynn could be the dark horse here to win the starting left tackle job as he allowed all of four pressures last season at the position for Georgia."

Coming into the 2018 season, there are certainly question marks on the offensive line for the Patriots. This offseason, the Patriots lost left tackle Nate Solder in free agency, which was certainly a blow. With a right-handed quarterback, Solder played at the most important position on the offensive line for New England.

Replacing Solder will not be an easy task, but the Patriots used a first-round pick on Isaiah Wynn and also traded for Trent Brown this offseason. With a couple of options at the position, the Patriots will be hoping that one of them is able to replace Solder.

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While the loss of Solder did knock the Patriots down a bit in the rankings, they still have the 11th ranked offensive line coming into the season. Even though it might take some good coaching and work, the Patriots should have a good unit in front of Brady next season.

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