Patriots positional rankings: offensive tackle

An inside look at the offensive tackle position

Author:
Jackson Dean
Publish date:
Jun 18, 2019 1:25 PM EDT

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots' offensive line was a pleasant surprise during the 2018 season following the departure of veteran left tackle Nate Solder, who signed with the New York Giants last offseason. The Patriots then traded a seventh-round draft pick to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for then 25-year old Trent Brown. Although New England had the rest of the line intact with four returning to the roster, the left tackle position was still a big question mark heading into the season.

The Patriots had the fourth-ranked offensive line in the league with all five starters ranked among the top-75. The line performance was primarily driven by the play of the offensive tackle position. It also helps to have arguably the best offensive line coach in the NFL in Dante Scarnecchia.

This offseason, Brown signed a contract with the Raiders, making him the highest paid tackle in the league. In order to fill the void, the Patriots will look to Isaiah Wynn, the team’s first-round draft pick from a year ago. Opposite him on the right side is veteran Marcus Cannon, who did not disappoint following an injury-plagued 2017 campaign. Filling out the roster include Cole Croston, Dan Skipper, Yondy Cajuste, Cedrick Lang and Tyree St. Louis.

All seven will be competing for a spot on the active roster, so here is an inside look at the offensive tackle rankings.

7) Tyree St. Louis

Tyree St. Louis was signed as an undrafted free agent from the University of Miami shortly after the 2019 draft. He started at both left and right tackle during his college career. The 6-foot-5, 315-pounder first entered the starting lineup as a sophomore in 2016 when he started the final eight games at right tackle.

Verdict: The Patriots usually keep no more than four offensive tackles on the active roster, so St. Louis could be on the outside looking in.

6) Cedrick Lang

Cedrick Lang has great size with a 6-foot-7 frame but has yet to see time on an active roster. He originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with the Giants out of Texas-El Paso in May of 2016. He was later released by New York at the end of training camp. Lang then signed with Denver in 2017, but was released prior to the start of the regular season, Lang was signed by Minnesota to the practice squad, where he spent the entire 2017 season. Lang actually began his college career as a basketball player before using his fifth year of eligibility to play football as a tight end, where he played in 12 games and caught 11 passes for 72 yards with one touchdown.

Verdict: Lang looks to be in the same boat as St. Louis, but his size his something to keep an eye on when training camp begins next month.

5) Dan Skipper

Dan Skipper split time between the Cowboys and the Lions practice squads before signing with the Patriots in January. He spent his collegiate career at the University of Arkansas where he earned a pair of All-SEC honors.

Verdict: With a few more years of experience under his belt than Lang, he ranks slightly higher. But he is unlikely to make the active roster due to who is ahead of him on the depth chart.

4) Yodny Cajuste

Yodny Cajuste shows the most promise of all of the rookies as a third-round pick out of West Virginia. He was a three-year starter and has a 6-foot-5, 312-pound build.

Verdict: Cajuste should be a lock to make the active roster due to the investment the Patriots have made in him and his potential playmaking ability in the trenches.

3) Cole Croston

Cole Croston has been with New England for the past two years. He appeared in three games during the 2017 season and two games this past season.

Verdict: With the depth of the offensive line thinning, Croston should be thrust into a primary backup role behind either Wynn or Cannon due to his experience in the Patriots system.

2) Isaiah Wynn

IsaiahWynn was drafted in the first round and was projected to be fighting for a starting job. However, early the preseason, he went down with an achilles injury that kept him out the remainder of the year. Although he was not a full participant in minicamp, he is expected to make a full recovery and carry a bigger workload heading into July and August.

Verdict: Although he has a much smaller frame than Brown, Wynn is projected to fill the vacant left tackle position this year. It’s just a matter of if he can get back to full health and make a strong impact during the preseason to solidify that decision.

1) Marcus Cannon

Marcus Cannon has been a staple at the right tackle position since he signed a long-term deal with New England back in 2016. He has taken full advantage of his opportunities ever since the retirement of long-time Patriot Sebastian Vollmer. Having recently turned 31, Cannon is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Verdict: He is a lock to retain his starting right tackle role and should still be considered one of the best offensive tackles in the league.