Patriots Trend Could Suggest Potential David Andrews Replacements

The Patriots said goodbye to one of their franchise legends Thursday but also face multiple questions at a key position group.

New England released David Andrews after 10 seasons. The move marked a culture shift with Mike Vrabel at the helm, and it also created another hole on the offensive line. The Patriots don’t have clear answers at left tackle, left guard and center and will have free agency and the draft to address those issues.

The Patriots do have Cole Strange, Ben Brown, Jake Andrews and Lecitus Smith as center options on the roster. Strange and Brown are the current favorites to replace David Andrews. However, Strange is not a sure thing at the position despite playing it in the final games of the season and in college. And Brown was an unproven journeyman before he arrived in New England last season.

It would be foolish not to at least try to bring in depth to give the offensive staff options to address the offensive line. Given the remaining free agents as of Thursday morning, the players New England could consider are Andre James, Daniel Brunskill, Nick Harris and Corey Levin.

Why those four? Well, the majority of the Patriots’ reported agreements this week had one thing in common: a connection with the coaching staff. James played with the Las Vegas Raiders when Josh McDaniels was the head coach. Brunskill and Levin played for Vrabel on the Tennesse Titans. The Patriots head coach was only a consultant for the Browns, but he did overlap with Harris in Cleveland.

Those aren’t the most inspiring options since the best center free agents like Drew Dalman, who the Patriots reportedly were interested in, already reportedly agreed to deals. Beggars can’t be choosers, and New England must exhaust all options to do what it can to help out Drake Maye heading into his sophomore season.