Things are not looking good for former first-round pick Cole Strange, and one analyst believes the New England Patriots could trade him in the coming weeks. Widely projected to be a third- or fourth-round pick, former head coach Bill Belichick surprised everyone when he took the Chattanooga product with the 29th-overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, consensus appears to have been right, as Strange has never come close to justifying his first-round draft capital. After missing most of 2024, early practice reports indicate he’s losing reps to career journeyman Wes Schweitzer.
Because of this, Strange appears to be the odd man out in New England, especially since the current regime has no ties to the former first-round pick. With this in mind, Bleacher Report‘s Gary Davenport believes the team could shop Cole Strange and see what his trade market looks like. While he never should have been a first-round pick, he could find success with a more stable organization.
“Strange isn’t going to beat out veteran Garrett Bradbury at center, and his days in New England appear to be numbered,” Davenport writes. “If that’s the case, the Pats’ best bet may be to admit the mistake, get what they can, and give Strange a fresh start somewhere else.”
REPORT: Patriots Could Trade Cole Strange After Disappointing Tenure
Next Teams
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens have one of the league’s best rosters, and the offensive line is a big part of that strength. Ronnie Stanley and second-round pick Roger Rosengarten are a fantastic tackle duo, and center Tyler Linderbaum is one of the game’s premier players at his position. However, the left and right guard spots are major question marks the team must resolve before the start of the regular season. Cole Strange won’t make anyone forget about Marshal Yanda, but the trade candidate could upgrade an already dangerous offensive line.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals have an elite trio of Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins. However, they must do something to ensure Burrow stays upright and alive throughout the 2025 season. The Bengals have one of the league’s worst offensive lines and desperately need someone to step up at guard. With the NFL Draft done and all the good free agents already signed, a Cole Strange trade could be the best option for a team with Super Bowl aspirations and the offensive firepower to win any game in a shootout.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs traded Joe Thuney and could effectively replace one former Patriots guard with another. Cole Strange will never match Thuney’s elite level of play, but the trade target could provide some much-needed competition at the left guard spot. After a disastrous rookie season at left tackle, 2024 second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia has the inside track for the vacated left guard position. Maybe he’s up for the challenge, but Kansas City should invest in a proven veteran who can start in case the BYU product isn’t ready for a full-time role.
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