Don’t Be Surprised If Patriots Finally Start Rookie Vs. Jets
The Patriots already have started two rookies on the offensive side of the ball through two weeks, and it looks like that list could continue growing.
Layden Robinson earned his job out of training camp, starting at right guard in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Ja'Lynn Polk joined him in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks, being added to the fold after it became clear he was one of the three best receivers on the roster.
Caedan Wallace could be next.
New England is dealing with some uncertainty at left tackle, with Chukwuma Okorafor looking like he's on his way out of the organization after leaving the team and Vederian Lowe suffering an injury that took him off the field for a trio of snaps Sunday. The Patriots didn't need injuries to force a potential change, either, as it has become clear that the duo isn't going to cut it protecting Jacoby Brissett's blindside, even if they are ready, willing and able.
Wallace, who was the top option to fill in for Lowe against Seattle, looks like a very real candidate to start Thursday's matchup with the New York Jets.
"We'll have to see. He's had some good snaps for us, and that's what it's all about," Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said Monday, per team-provided transcript. "It's next man up mentality. I know it sounds very cliché or very corny, but that's the world we live in. This is the roster that we have, and we're going to make do with it."
The Patriots have sprinkled in some opportunities for Wallace, who has totaled 29 snaps between his roles as the sixth offensive lineman and a reserve. It's obviously a lot different to start at left tackle, but the third-round rookie clearly feels he's ready.
"I'm super prepared," Wallace told Dakota Randall of Pro Football Network on Sunday. "It's what I've been doing since I got here, so, I'm excited. Ready to get after it."
"... I've improved on my mental stuff -- pre-snap, during the snap, different reads I have to do. Getting better and faster at those. Things I want to improve on: honestly, everything. I come out every day, pick something new to work on. Just continue to work with my hands, feet placement. Things like that."
Wallace is confident he can make the switch, despite having spent his entire college career on the right side. Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf even agreed when meeting with reporters on draft night. Zach Thomas and Demontrey Jacobs still haven't even learned the offense after being picked up on waivers.
New England needs to find some consistency on the blindside, and with hits mounting on Brissett, there's no better time than now to pull the trigger.