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Concerning Reports Come Out of OTAs on Patriots First-Round Pick

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Michael Hanich | Last updated Jun 1, 2025 8:08 PM ET

The New England Patriots are taking a serious approach to the 2025 season with competitions lining up on both sides of the ball.

The offensive line is an area that the Patriots needed to address after last season’s latest disastrous performance. New England added some new veterans and used three picks on the offensive line, including drafting former LSU Tigers star Will Campbell with the No. 4 overall pick.

While reports are positive for Campbell, there is one former first-round pick of New England who is failing to exceed expectations. Cole Strange has not only not locked up the starting left guard position, but he is reportedly letting other competitors look better for the position.

Tyrese Robinson over Cole Strange?

“One of the surprising developments at the Patriots' most recent practice open to reporters was seeing Tyrese Robinson at left guard, aligning next to Campbell, who has been a fixture at left tackle.

The 6-foot-3, 319-pound Robinson was… pic.twitter.com/lck1RSBlIN
— Pats-Planet.com (@patsplanet__) June 1, 2025

Former New York Jet Wes Schweitzer has had some good looks in OTAs for the Patriots. ESPN reporter Mike Reiss says that Tyrese Robinson has been taking multiple first-team reps in practice.

This is bad news for Strange, who was the Patriots’ first-round pick (No. 29 overall pick) in the 2022 NFL Draft. Strange is in the final year of his rookie contract while the Patriots declined his fifth-year option. He is on the road of being considered as a bust for the Patriots.

In 2022, Strange started and played in all 17 games for the Patriots posting an overall grade of 54.6 by Pro Football Focus. Since then, Strange’s career has been derailed by injuries. In 2023, Strange played and started 10 games and only played three games (two starts) last season.

There is still a great opportunity for Strange to re-enter the starting lineup. He is, however, off to a poor start if he is allowing a much older veteran in Schweitzer and a player who only played in the regular-season finale last year in Robinson to take his reps.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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