There might not be a better change of scenery candidate on the New England Patriots roster than offensive lineman Cole Strange.
The former first-round pick has struggled to stay healthy in his three NFL seasons, and he hasn't been especially effective when he plays. Despite his status as a first-round pick, it wouldn't be surprising to see New England cut bait sooner than later.
NFL.com's Eric Edholm believes Strange is an obvious cut candidate as the league's roster cutdown deadline approaches.
"Strange was a curious first-round selection in 2022, viewed primarily as a developmental Day 2 prospect then, and his NFL journey has been rife with setbacks, injuries and struggles," Ehholm wrote for NFL.com.
"The Patriots have tried him at guard and center, and Strange really hasn't stuck at either spot. And it's not as if the offensive line is completely sorted out either. It just feels like Strange is in need of a fresh start."
Strange played just three games in 2024, as he dealt with a knee injury. He began the season on the physically unable to perform list while recovering from surgery to repair a torn tendon in his left knee and returned to make just two starts late in New England's lost campaign. He played 10 games in 2023.
As Edholm notes, Strange was put in a tough spot by virtue of being a first-round pick. Former Patriots coach Bill Belichick drafted the lineman out of Chattanooga with the 29th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, despite projections that he was a second-round talent -- at best.
That draft whiff -- one that was borderline mocked in the moment by NFL rivals -- likely sped up the end of Belichick's tenure in New England, further solidifying the notion that he had lost his fastball with drafting.
As for Strange, he might ultimately be a victim of the numbers game. The Patriots have a lot of offensive linemen, and if New England feels good enough about Ben Brown on the interior, it could spell a merciful end for Strange in Foxboro.
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