New England Patriots - NESN.com
Cole Strange’s hold on a New England Patriots roster spot is slipping fast.
Speculation about his chances of making the Patriots’ roster, which surfaced last week, has only grown stronger in recent days.
The former first-round pick, once viewed as a cornerstone of Bill Belichick’s offensive line, now faces the real possibility of being left off the New England Patriots’ 53-man roster. As Sara Marshall of Musket Fire put it, “It’s not looking good for Cole Strange to make the Patriots’ 2025 roster.”
Strange’s path has been bumpy since his surprising selection by former Patriots coach Bill Belichick at No. 29 overall in 2022, a pick many analysts considered a reach.
After starting every game as a rookie, his career was slowed by a torn patellar tendon late in 2023. He opened last season on the physically unable to perform list before returning for just three games.
Now, a strong camp from rookie Jared Wilson has pushed Strange out of his starting role. Wilson, initially drafted as a center, has impressed at left guard and taken most of the first-team snaps.
By the end of last week, Strange was working as a second-team center, according to Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston, who noted that Garrett Bradbury’s injury created the shuffle. When Bradbury returns, Strange projects as the third-string center.
Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald has already left Strange off his latest roster projection, citing his slide down the depth chart and the emergence of more versatile linemen.
With starters like Mike Onwenu and Morgan Moses locked in and depth pieces such as Ben Brown and Sidy Sow offering flexibility, Strange’s fit is increasingly unclear.
Roster cuts are still weeks away, but the writing may already be on the wall. For a player drafted well ahead of projections, a release this summer would be a harsh end to a tenure that never met expectations.
