Rookie offensive linemen already impressing Patriots veterans
That being said, veteran players are bullish on the team's new additions, and that includes rookies Will Campbell and Jared Wilson.
Through two days of camp, the Patriots have started with the same offensive line unit – Campbell (left tackle), Cole Strange (left guard), Garrett Bradbury (center), Michael Onwenu (right guard), and Morgan Moses (right tackle).
It's been noteworthy, however, that Wilson continues to rotate in at center and left guard during competitive team drills. The third-round pick from Georgia missed most of the offseason, but the team wasted no time throwing him into the fire to start training camp.
'Jared is doing good,' Onwenu said. 'Smart guy. Tough guy. Really athletic, so I'm excited to see him play.'
On Campbell, Onwenu said, 'Will's good. He's a good athlete. Smooth feet. Really good player. Smart. He's going to go out there and ball.'
The Patriots have also been rotating Demontrey Jacobs in at right tackle with Moses. That situation feels like the team has the 34-year-old Moses on a pitch count. He wasn't a full participant in OTAs or minicamp.
'I just do what I'm told. Those guys need reps, too,' Moses said. 'Obviously, in the trenches, things happen. I think last year they had a lot of injuries on the offensive line. It's good to get everybody those reps. We're moving forward and we're getting what we need. We're correcting things in the meeting room, and everything is going well.'
Patriots quarterbacks were sacked 52 times last season. That's why the Patriots signed veterans such as Moses and Bradbury, as well as drafted Campbell and Wilson.
Onwenu and Moses said they're excited to practice in pads and let their performance do the talking.
'The group has been good,' Onwenu said. 'There's a lot of experience in the room. Really, the young guys, I think they're really good. Everybody can really play. Everybody has had a good spring, so I'm excited to watch them play.'
Added Moses: 'It's hard to block them when there's no pads on.'
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