Finally: 5 NFL OT's

[mgteich]

Way overcomplicated, guys. Lomu has been acquired to be our top swing OT for this season. The kid is a plus athlete, and he literally has a full season and an off season to learn to play RT. Meantime he picks up valuable reps and learns his craft. The kid, like Campbell last season is just 21 and not even full grown yet. Quite frankly, I don't even want him playing significant minutes this season.

As for Campbell, there have been a lot of VERY good OTs in this league who have had very choppy first seasons before coming fully into their own. But they all "flashed" in their rookie year. just like Campbell did and then grew into top notch players. I'm fully expecting Campbell to come back to camp stronger, heavier, healthier and a LOT smarter this season. I'm betting we will see a noticeable difference, and he's coming off a pretty good rookie season until he was hurt (13 games) Also, btw, we DID win 3 playoff games last season.

So, we will now have an OL of Campbell, AVT, Wilson, Owenu, Moses starting and Lomu, Bryant, Brown, Wallace, and Crownover as the backups. I actually see Crownover getting some time at RG this August as well. BTW- I wouldn't see too much in Lomu getting snaps a LT this summer, he IS being trained to be our swing OT for this season

I wonder what the betting line is against us carrying 5 OT's.

I find it to be very, very unlikely.

 

[ahmed]

How about D. None of the above. It's amazing how this season hasn't even begun and you're making ridiculous projections for 2027. Are you really that hard up to post that you have to do that?

Better yet, why don't you speculate if Devito or Morton will be the starter in 2028 with Maye being traded.

Could not believe it when I saw 2027

 

[The Gr8est]

I wouldn't be so quick to throw Crownover in as the backup right tackle. He's really wide, and had a decent forty... but that's about it. Doesn't mean he'll be bad, but it also doesn't mean he'll instantly be good or not need some development. Vederian Lowe was really wide and a little athletic.

I hope Marcus Bryant is busting his tail this offseason. If he comes ready to play he could provide some depth at tackle which would allow Lomu the freedom to sit or provide depth across the line the way Nate Solder did as a rookie. Lomu could get reps at guard if a player gets dinged up for a few plays, or tackle. Ideally you want him to watch and learn, but there's also the distinct possibility he is too talented to keep off the field. Kid's 21 and already a stud.

People may be too quick to dismiss Bryant.

He’s only marginally smaller than Crownover and I actually liked what I saw from him when he played.

He has a year under his belt now so let’s see how things shake out.

 

[mayoclinic]

I agree with Ken that some of this discussion is making things much too complicated.

Teams move linemen around all the time. It doesn't always work, but with top talent it frequently does.

Detroit drafted Taylor Decker in 2016. He was an RT his entire college career, but Detroit moved him to LT and he played 10 years there.

In 2021 Detroit drafted Penei Sewell at #7 overall. He played LT his entire college career, but Detroit moved him to RT to keep Decker at LT. Sewell has been probably the best RT in the NFL.

Now, with Decker retiring, Detroit drafted RT Blake Miller at 17. They now have 2 RTs. They could have drafted LTs like Lomu or Monroe Freeling. They don't seem to think this is a dilemma.

I don't know what the "best fit" will be, but I am comfortable that a RT successor to Morgan Moses is on the roster.

I agree with MgT that the OL coaching staff has a year to sort things out. Having a lot of talent OL is a good thing.

 

[everlong]

The thing we have going into this year which we did not last year is depth. The odds of Campbell, AVT, Wilson, Owenu, Mosses and Lomu being healthy for the entire year is unlikely at best. Every line gets dinged at some point. The fact that all of these names can play multiple spots on the line will be important at some point during the season. So I wouldn't use a pen when filling out the line up.

That's without getting to Bryant, Brown, Crownover, Wallace and potentially a dark horse to make the roster.

Last year having to rush back Wilson and Campbell the line was never the same as it was before their injuries.

 

[Ring 6]

Why so critical of a guy making new threads just to do so? It's not like he's looking for legit conversation. How is it "interesting to entertain" when they haven't even done Rookie Mini-CAMP yet? It has as much legitimacy as a $3 Bill does as legal tender.

Maybe if the season had started it MIGHT be interesting to entertain. Right now, it's asinine and has zero foundation in reality.

Him having a topic he wishes to post about and discuss is not subject to your approval, agreement or understanding.
Why are you bullying the guy?
If you think it’s a bad thread, stay TF away from it.
You aren’t in charge of what threads are allowed.

 

[Vindicate]

Why would a person make a new thread if they aren't interested in conversation? It isn't like it can be used as a pick up line or something. There's nothing to be gained other than engagement with other people.

Wait, you mean you don't rifle off your 2026/2027 OL predictions as a pick-up line?!

 

[BennyBledsoe]

Bruce Armstrong played multiple years at RT before switching over to be the cornerstone left tackle that he was. And there even was early speculation he was going to play guard.

Like others have said, guys with a ton of talent can play either tackle position.

In Armstrong's day, the right side of the line was typically where you'd put your run blockers. But Armstrong could do both.

 

[imahobgoblin]

TO BE 100% CLEAR
I expect Campbell to be out 2026 starter at LT
===============================
LT: Campbell, Lomu, AVT
RT: Moses, Crownover, AVT

My suspicion for 2027
LT: Lomu
LG: Campbell
OC: Wilson
RG: AVT plus draftee
RT: Crownover or Moses
IOL backup: Brown

WHICH IS A BETTER TRANSITION?
1) Lomu to RT
2) Campbell to RT or
3) Campbell to LG

Of course, the bonus is having 5 young starters already on our roster. This also makes more sense than making Crownover a permanent backup.

I think the common understanding is that your LT is the swift feet and athletic while the RT is the road grader type. I have heard David Andrews say this. So I would not be surprised to see Will go to RT and Lomu LT in the future. I also have no issue with Lomu at LT and Will at LG. I have no idea how long it will take Crownover to come up to par for RT.

 

[Water Boy]

According to Phil Perry Lomu was the 7th rated tackle on the Patriots board who happens to play LT. If RTs Miller or Max were available, they would have been the pick.

They didn't draft Lomu with the idea that they would move Campbell.

We'll see what happens. I'm sure they're default position is Campbell at LT and Lomu to replace Mo Mo at RT with swing tackle duties as necessary. If Campbell really struggles, maybe things will change in the future, but I'm sure they are going to give him a very long leash.

 

[patfanken]

I wonder what the betting line is against us carrying 5 OT's.

I find it to be very, very unlikely.

That's why I see Crownover get some time at RG. Historically that's the side where the road graders go to die in the AP system. We might as well start getting him started to begin to compete with Wallace to see who will replace Owenu next season

 

[imahobgoblin]

Using the #4 overall pick on a LG would have been a poor use of draft capital

I am pretty sure they stick with Campbell at LT unless he flat out fails like he did in SB

Didn't you go back to the Jets forum after that huge temper tantrum? And no it was not a waste. If he goes to LG, we still have a great LG. You act as if we wouldn't even have a player.

 

[rabidfireweasel]

Using the #4 overall pick on a LG would have been a poor use of draft capital

I am pretty sure they stick with Campbell at LT unless he flat out fails like he did in SB

Once you draft a person, it’s a sunk cost. After that, you simply have to balance what is best for your team in the short/medium and long term.

The Patriots had a better investment in terms of draft capital when McCourty played CB and not safety. However, the decision was made that they were a better team with him at safety. So he moved. Ronnie Lott moved from corner to safety. Larry Allen played RT and got moved to guard. Most people don’t think of that move as disappointing. John Hannah was a guard drafted at 1.4. I rarely hear Patsfans talking about that as a poor use of draft capital.

I have no idea what happens with Will Campbell. For me, he gets an incomplete due to injury. We have no idea how much that limited him. But, we will have a better sense of who he is at the end of the year. I think in 2027, he’ll play wherever Vrabel thinks makes for the most effective line.

 

[Zuma]

Using the #4 overall pick on a LG would have been a poor use of draft capital

I am pretty sure they stick with Campbell at LT unless he flat out fails like he did in SB

I think those are reasonable statements.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I got my popcorn ready after reading the OP and wasn't disappointed. Lol at the usual suspects getting triggered over someone else's opinion on the OL. And it's as if some bozo's didn't even watch the 2025 season or most importantly - the postseason. Maye was one of the most sacked QB's in the league and was dead to rights in the playoffs. We are lucky the Pats even made it out of the WC round.

Pats drafted Lomu for a few reasons: to replace Morgan Moses as early as this season or in 2027 and Campbell insurance. It's not that complicated. Just because they drafted Campbell, doesn't mean they are automatically set for the next 10 years at LT. This isn't Madden and busts also apply to the Pats - not just the 31 other teams. Lol.

All eyes will be on Campbell when training camp starts. Get used to it. We'll see how he responds to the pressure. The Pats will give him every opportunity to hold down the LT spot because that's the ideal situation.

 

[Ring 6]

Your plan requires three things
1) Lomu or Campbell being able to switch to RT.
2) Crownover to be an adequate LT backup (really not very likely), and
3) Finding a starting RG (if it were so easy, we would have signed on instead of paying Onwenu $17M.

My plan requires
1) Campbell moving to LG
========================
Part of the issue is Crownover. If he doesn't work out, I can see us being forced to move Lomu or Campbell to RT. I think that it is possible that a year of mentoring might bring him to the level of a starter. If not, we would need to have a backup LT and backup RT active in every game, which is not the best use of an active roster spot.
==========
So, my BOTTOM LINE is to allow the OL coaches to work with the linemen through camp and through a year of practices. We can then decide where we are and our best plan going forward. I think that Crownover is the key open question mark. If he can't start or play LT as a swing RT, we will need a RG and a backup LT.

Campbell is not moving to G under any circumstances.

 

[Ring 6]

The team didn't draft Crownover just to cut him in favor Bryant without giving the coaches a year to work with Crownover.

Crownover doesn't even need to be active this year, although I think that he will be (perhaps as a jumbo 6th OL).

They also didn’t draft him to guarantee him a spot if he doesn’t earn it by beating out Bryant.
Lomu will be the 6th OL.

 

[mayoclinic]

Lomu will be the 6th OL.

I would not be surprised if Lomu is the #1 reserve in 2026 for every OL position except for center.

 

[Salsalife]

Let's not do this experiment please. We already have experimented with trying to put a right to a left with horrible results a couple of years ago..

 

[Water Boy]

Just so everyone remembers, last year the Pats tried to get Ronnie Stanley in FA as option 1 and couldn't and we're forced to take the top rated OT in the class to fill the position as a rookie.

That same team that was 4-13 the year before went to the mother ****ing Super Bowl with that rookie LT who acquitted himself quite well before the injury despite playing next to a very green rookie playing out of position at LG.

The recentcy bias of the Super Bowl needs to be put into perspective. Maye's shoulder was ****ed, Brown should have started at LG over Wilson and given the injury, Campbell should have gotten more TE help on the edge. JMcD's game plan/ in game adjustments were pretty piss poor.