Two issues will be true about Trent Brown’s departure from the New England Patriots:
1. It’s not a shock to see Brown go away.
2. The Patriots simply misplaced the highest offensive sort out nonetheless obtainable.
Brown on Tuesday signed a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, as introduced by the group.
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It grew to become more and more clear the Patriots would transfer on from Brown this offseason. Earlier than the authorized tampering window opened final week, Brown advised SiriusXM NFL Radio he and the Patriots have been “trying elsewhere.”
The second half of the 2023 marketing campaign noticed Brown put forth inconsistent tape and poor effort whereas behind-the-scenes drama contributed to the fracture of the player-team relationship. That behind-the-scenes drama included a report about how the Patriots struggled to inspire Brown and one other which famous his tardiness served as a constant problem.
Brown refuted these damning studies, referring to them as a “smear marketing campaign” throughout an interview with NESN.com. Brown’s transparency in early January hinted he wouldn’t be again in Foxboro, Mass.
That’s No. 1.
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However número dos?
The Patriots at the moment have a worse offensive line than they did in 2023. Teaching may assist that, however from a expertise perspective, New England simply misplaced considered one of its finest.
When motivated and wholesome, the 6-foot-8, 370-pound Brown served as a key contributor. He impressed throughout an unimpressive 2022 season and acquired off to a superb begin in 2023 earlier than a mixture of an ankle harm, effort points and mentioned off-field drama saved him sidelined.
Brown nonetheless has the power to be a superb beginning sort out and arguably was the highest obtainable choice after Tyron Smith (Jets) and Jonah Williams (Cardinals), amongst others, signed elsewhere.
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In line with Subsequent Gen Stats, Brown allowed strain on simply 7.1% of snaps when he was in 1-on-1 conditions. It marked the second-lowest strain charge amongst left tackles regardless of the very fact no participant on the place noticed extra extra 1-on-1 conditions. Brown had 1-on-1 matchups on 88.3% of snaps, per Subsequent Gen Stats.
Moreover, Brown allowed 17 quarterback pressures and three sacks in 334 pass-blocking snaps, per Professional Soccer Focus. He concluded because the Eleventh-ranked sort out by PFF.
NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal now views Josh Jones, who was No. 83 on its high 101 free brokers, as the most suitable choice. Donovan Smith (No. 98) is the one different sort out nonetheless listed.
Ought to the Patriots have pursued both Smith or Williams, or one other sort out along with re-signing proper sort out Mike Onwenu, they wouldn’t be on this place. As an alternative, New England has put strain on itself to land a starter both within the second wave of free company or within the draft. There choices for a non-rookie, although, have turn out to be few and much between. And given the chance they draft a quarterback with their first choose, it’s no certain factor the Patriots will be capable of land a plug-and-play draftee.
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