With Patriots camp set to open Thursday, we wanted to reset the roster at each position and give you a few things we’ll be keeping an eye on down in Foxborough. So far, we’ve previewed the quarterbacks, running backs, tight ends, and receivers. Now, let's take a look at the offensive line.
The right side -- Shaq Mason and Marcus Cannon -- appears solid. And if Joe Thuney is OK after offseason foot surgery, half of the left side should be set as well. The biggest question: Who will take over at left tackle after the offseason departure of Nate Solder? Will it be rookie Isaiah Wynn? Or are the Patriots going to try veterans LaAdrian Waddle or Trent Brown there out of the gate? It’ll be interesting to see how it all comes together. Our bet right now is one of the veterans has the job at the start of camp, but Wynn will be the starter before the halfway point of the season. (One more note: For purposes of this exercise — and no disrespect intended to the likes of Ulrick John or Jason King — we have our Top 12 offensive linemen listed here.)
No. 1: Shaq Mason
Position: Right guard
The good: Best pure offensive lineman on the team. Good feet, good hands. One of the most durable guys in the league — has played north of 90 percent of the snaps the last two years. Likely just missed out on All-Pro status in 2017.
The questionable: You can argue Brandon Graham’s key sack of Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII came because he beat Mason.
Skinny: Heading into a contract year, he could be a candidate for a late-summer trade. But if he ends up sticking around, his durability and consistently high level of play means he’ll be one of the best at his position again in 2018.
No. 2: Marcus Cannon
Position: Right tackle.
The good: After his weight loss and the return of Dante Scarnecchia, he evolved into a really impressive right tackle, one who was part of the Pro Bowl conversation in 2016.
The questionable: An ankle injury last October derailed his season, and the 30-year-old was placed on the shelf for good in December. Can he come back at 100 percent? Given the lack of proven depth at the tackle spot, the Patriots will be relying on him to stay healthy this year.
Skinny: If they’re healthy, Cannon and Mason represent a really solid right side of the offensive line for New England.
No. 3: David Andrews
Position: Center.
The good: Has gone from UDFA to unquestioned leader of the offensive line. As a captain, he has become more vocal with the media, and has gained the trust and respect of quarterback Tom Brady.
The questionable: With Thuney’s health a question mark and (maybe) some mixing and matching on the left side (with Wynn), can Andrews help guide the New England offensive line through what might be a transitional year?
Skinny: Barring injury, he should remain the centerpiece for Scarnecchia’s crew.
No. 4: Joe Thuney
Position: Left guard.
The good: Tough and durable (he played all but nine snaps on offense in his first two seasons), he forms an excellent complementary piece to the other two interior offensive linemen in Mason and Andrews. Good technique and form. Positive locker room presence, and a cost-effective guy still on his rookie deal.
The questionable: Can get overwhelmed on occasion by larger defensive tackles. Had offseason foot surgery — if he’s not ready to go at the start of camp, that could force some shuffling up front.
Skinny: If he’s healthy, he’ll be there for all 16 games and into the postseason. But if the foot is an issue — and Wynn isn’t ready to start out of the gate — his absence could create a domino effect for the rest of the offensive line.
No. 5: LaAdrian Waddle
Position: Left tackle with some right tackle flexibility.
The good: A solid swing tackle type who doesn’t make many errors, this 27-year-old veteran is one of the better locker room guys on the team. Can hold up nicely as a short-term starter either on the left or the right side.
The questionable: Had minor knee issues last season. Unclear if he can be a season-long starter — while he stepped in and did well after Cannon’s ankle injury in 2017, he’s never played more than 12 regular-season games in a year.
Skinny: From this perspective, Waddle will open camp as the starting left tackle, but if Wynn is ready to go (and Thuney is OK to play guard), he could return to his swing role sooner rather than later.
No. 6: Trent Brown
Position: Left tackle with some right tackle flexibility
The good: Guy is massive. Like, huge. When he was healthy with the Niners, he’s been the type who appears capable of blocking out the sun, not to mention opposing pass rushers. If he can play and keep the weight in check, he could be the Patriots’ next great reclamation project.
The questionable: He hasn’t been consistently healthy lately -- he was limited to 10 games last year in San Francisco.
Skinny: If the 6-foot-8, 359-pounder checks out, he should challenge Waddle for the left tackle/swing spot.
No. 7: Ted Karras
Position: Guard and center.
The good: One of the prototypical Patriots’ offensive linemen the franchise seems to churn out under Scarnecchia’s tutelage — really versatile, cost-effective, and good-natured. He’s not great at anything, but competitive enough in areas where it counts.
The questionable: He is what he is — a backup who shouldn’t be projected as anything more than a short-term starter.
Skinny: If he can stay healthy, he’ll have a spot on the 53-man roster.
No. 8: Matt Tobin
Position: Tackle with some guard flexibility.
The good: Not an overly flashy type, Tobin has been around the league since 2013, and has been a durable, steady presence (he’s played in at least 12 games every year for the last four years). Will be in the mix for a backup/swing tackle spot, but also has guard experience — that versatility will certainly help.
The questionable: He’ll be battling with a lot of different guys for a roster spot, and needs to do something to distinguish himself this summer.
Skinny: Part of a handful of offensive tackles added this offseason following the departure of Solder, his versatility — and his Iowa pedigree — will help his chances.
No. 9: Luke Bowanko
Position: Center and guard.
The good: A veteran who is an excellent depth option along the interior.
The questionable: It might come down to him and Karras, a guy who does some of the same stuff he does but has experience in the system. After starting 14 games as a rookie, Bowanko has made just one start over the past three years.
Skinny: Needs a few things to break in his favor — including a solid camp — if he wants to be around come September.
No. 10: Cole Croston
Position: Has experience at all three offensive line spots.
The good: He’s versatile. And he’s got the Iowa pedigree, which always helps out in New England.
The questionable: With a lack of playing time at the NFL level, no one is really sure how he’d respond if he was asked to play significant snaps.
Skinny: There has to be a reason they kept him around all last year on the active roster, despite the fact he took 13 healthy scratches during the regular season and two more in the playoffs.
No. 11: James Ferentz
Position: Center.
The good: Veteran who has bounced around the league, he spent last year in the New England system as part of the practice squad. Won a Super Bowl with Denver a few years ago.
The questionable: Part of a crowded picture, he needs a few things to break favorably for him to land a spot on the 53-man roster.
Skinny: The son of Kirk Ferentz (head coach at Iowa and buddy of Bill Belichick), he seems like a practice squad type, unless there's some sort of unforeseen personnel move.
No. 12: Isaiah Wynn (we put him last because he’s a rookie)
Position: Left tackle with some guard flexibility.
The good: He showed Mankins-esque a mean streak over the course of his college career. A solidly built guy who played all three offensive line spots in college, he figures to have an impact at either guard or tackle as a rookie.
The questionable: He’s a rookie. And when it comes to playing tackle, there’s a belief that he doesn’t have long enough arms to succeed on the edge. (But don’t tell that to Scarnecchia.)
Skinny: Scarnecchia seems intent at putting him at left tackle, but Brown and/or Waddle show they’re OK and Thuney struggles with health, could be line up at left guard? As we said previously, as a first-round pick, Wynn was already a guy worth keeping an eye on this summer. Given the nature of things along the offensive line, he now looms as one of the more compelling figures at camp.