This is the fourth part of our series on free agency. Today, we look at guards.
Giardi, are you really writing about guards? Yes. Yes, I am. The Patriots' offensive line was a colossal disappointment, and despite Pro Football Focus shaking their ass about Sidy Sow, guard was as much a part of the mess as tackle was.
There was a definite trickle-down effect with all the injuries, and moving Michael Onwenu out of his customary right guard spot to right tackle was necessary, but fixing one problem created another. That problem wouldn't have been as big initially had the Pats just started Sow where he proved he might have a future, at guard. Instead, they wasted months of his development by trying to force-feed him at tackle and then insisting that he played it in college. Never mind that it was as a freshman in college and at a non-power five program.
Once Sow settled in, he and Onwenu were rock solid as a run-blocking duo. However, the rookie's pass blocking left something to be desired, and he will need to improve that aspect considerably if he is to be a longer-term solution in New England. Enter new line coaches Scott Peters and Robert Kugler. We'll be watching their work closely. This unit has been subpar for multiple years under multiple coaches - Matt Patricia, Adrian Klemm, and Billy Yates.
Left guard is a more significant concern than right. Cole Strange blew out his knee late in the season, and there has been very little talk about where he's at physically following the surgery. If he is not ready for the start of training camp/beginning of the regular season, can the Pats afford to hand over the gig to either Jake Andrews or Atonio Mafi? Mafi got far more playing time than Andrews but looked overmatched mostly. His conditioning was a problem, and he wasn't ready for prime time, which makes sense, considering he converted from the defensive line at UCLA. As for Andrews, he learned at the feet of another Andrews, David, and appears to be the heir apparent at that position (though maybe Strange finds himself there as a way to salvage what has been a very average start to his career). He did start the final game of the regular season at left guard and handled himself reasonably well. But that's a small sample size.
We talked to offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt on Wednesday, and when asked about what he wants in an offensive line, he said, "You know, it depends. It depends on what scheme we run, quite honestly. And that again will come down to those puzzle pieces: is this guy a guard that can pull? Then we'll have some more gap schemes, and we'll get them on the perimeter. Is he more of a downhill thumper? We'll put those pieces together once we get those - once we know who's on our roster. But athletic guys are good. Smart guys are good. Obviously, tough guys."
Signed: Strange ($3.34 million), Sow ($1.1 mil), Mafi ($998k), Andrews ($1.1 mil)
MONEY TO BURN
1. Robert Hunt, Dolphins: He's played multiple spots since coming into the league but has settled in as a damn good right guard who has improved year after year. Hunt is a moose. 6'6", 335 pounds. But he has excellent quickness and thrived in Mike McDaniel's zone-blocking scheme.
After being an ironman the first three years of his career, Hunt missed a handful of games this year with a hamstring problem but has started 55 games since coming into the league as a 2nd rounder out of Lousiana-Lafayette. There is no question Miami would like the player back, but with their pending cap crunch - if you believe in that sort of thing - extending a guard for eight figures a year seems foolhardy. You might say something similar if the Pats were to pursue Hunt, but there's no question he'd fit and make the line better. So, if you have money to burn and can't find takers, this is an option.
Over the Cap estimates $70 million over four seasons ($42 million guaranteed).
2. Dalton Risner, Vikings/Ezra Cleveland, Jaguars: If the Pats' decide left guard is a need, either of these two would be the more expensive place to turn. Risner got surprisingly shunned in free agency and didn't sign with Minnesota until the season started. He eventually kicked Cleveland to the bench, then in a trade to Jacksonville. Risner is an excellent pass-blocker and is technically sound. He's three years older than Cleveland.
Cleveland is less polished as a pass protector but is a force in the run game. He played tackle at Boise State and, at times, has practiced there in the NFL.
"I've always kinda been a team player, and I'll play wherever I'm needed," Cleveland said when he was in Jacksonville. "I was a left tackle; I played right guard in my rookie year. I'll play wherever. Just wherever the team needs me, I'll try to do my best."
PFF projects $24 million over three years for Risner ($15 million guaranteed). For Cleveland, $28.5 mil over three seasons ($17.25 mil guaranteed).
BARGAIN STARTER
1. Greg Van Roten, Raiders: The veteran allowed just 21 total pressures while starting every game at right guard for Vegas, playing over 1000 snaps. As the numbers indicate, he is a good pass blocker but also an adept run blocker. Van Roten is well-traveled. He was drafted by Green Bay, becoming a starter six years later (!) in Carolina, then in New York with the Jets before spending a season as a reserve in Buffalo, then reestablishing his starter credentials for the Raiders.
His former coach, Josh McDaniels, had nothing but praise for Van Roten in August.
"Greg's a tough guy. Very smart. Kind of fits the mold of what we like up front. Aggressive, on the same page, good communicator, can play multiple positions, and just he's a fighter inside, which is what you want. Really good addition. Love the guy in terms of what he brings to our team and the makeup of our locker room. He's been a seamless fit in our offensive line room."
PFF projects him at $2.75 million for a single season.
2. David Edwards, Bills: He had a stretch with the Rams where he started 46 of 54 games (including in the Super Bowl win over the Bengals) before his final year in LA was cut short by injury. He signed a one-year deal to join the Bills this offseason and appeared in 17 games, though he did not register a start. He was often used as the 6th offensive lineman, excelling as a jumbo tight end, especially in the run game. That's keeping in line with the book on him throughout his career - above average in the run game, middling (but useful) in pass protection.
There is no contract projection. Think vet minimum.
Others of note: Nick Allegretti (Chiefs), Jordan Meredith (Raiders), Ben Bartch (49ers), Austin Schlottmann (Vikings)
