Yea when you put it in that perspective the line was dearth of talent.
One huge question is what are we likely to get from Andrews/Stork/Jackson/Mason in terms of improvement. Stork will be in his third year, clearly regressed from his rookie season, and yet he was very good his rookie year. So there's talent there. Mason has tons of physical ability, but never played in a passing offense, so this year was a huge adjustment for him. Can he get to the next level? Who knows. I think it's quite possible. Jackson...not sure. Andrews was an adequate backup this year and think he can continue to be that.
The problem is that in every spot on the line this year the Patriots were playing backup caliber players.
LT - Vollmer - solid at RT, but backup level at LT (because Solder was out)
G - Kline or Jackson - backup level
C - Stork or Andrews - backup level (Stork in 2014 was starter material, but he had a backup level year)
G - Mason - backup level
RT - Cannon or Fleming - good grief, they were AWFUL
So Solder and Vollmer being healthy alone takes the tackles from LT (backup) and RT (godawful) to LT (quality) and RT (quality). That is a MASSIVE improvement from this year.
On the interior, without any additions, you're hoping the young guys improve and that Stork gets at least back to his 2014 form. I think Mason can improve and I think Stork can return to form, which means you're talking quality LT, starter C, quality RT, and then hoping the two guard positions can be improved by Mason improving and also by adding a quality veteran (which is what I think they should do).
The injuries KILLED this offensive line.