Patriots Free Agency Outlook, Tackles

Steve Balestrieri Senior Writer · PatsFans.com since 2011

Feb 23, 2016 at 8:28 am ET 6 min read 2.8k views

6 min read Patriots Commentary

Mitchell Schwartz
Schwartz is hitting free agency at the perfect time; his value has never been higher and with the talk of the league all about the pass rushers dominating the playoffs, he’s set to cash in. Schwartz had an outstanding 2015 season allowing a combined 12 sacks and pressures in 260 dropbacks. That averages out to one pressure every 22 dropbacks.

Schwartz is also a very good run blocker rating at #9 according to PFF. While Cleveland LT Joe Thomas gets the lion’s share of the press…and rightfully so, Schwartz had the fourth best pass-blocking grade of any tackle in the league. The 26-year old will turn 27 in June and has proto-typical size at the position at 6’5, 320 pounds.

He was taken by the Browns in the 2^nd round of the 2012 NFL Draft with the 37^th overall pick from the University of California – Berkeley and played in all 51 games of his college career. His durability has carried over to the pros having started and played in all 64 games of his pro career.

Schwartz scored a 35 on his Wonderlic test where the average NFL players scores a 21.

He’s a guy that would be a perfect fit for the Patriots offense. And in a move signing him would set the edges of the Patriots offensive line for years to come. They could address the replacement of Vollmer sooner rather than later and be able to move him to the swing position which would put them in fantastic position.

And for those wondering how Schwartz fared against Von Miller, who seemed to be in Brady’s grill on every snap? Miller had one pressure for the game. The only thing that could hold up the Patriots on being a landing spot for him is money. He will be highly sought after once free agency starts and the bidding may quickly get too expensive for New England with a limited cap amount to work with.

Next up…a former Seahawk who is coming off of an injury

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About Steve Balestrieri

A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)

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