As part of a preview for New England Patriots training camp (first practice July 30) and to re-familiarize ourselves with the roster, it's time to bring back the "checking the locks" series. Today, we continue with offensive tackles, which complements a prior piece on interior linemen:
Sure-fire locks: Nate Solder, Sebastian Vollmer, Marcus Cannon, Cameron Fleming
On the bubble: Jordan Devey
Trying to get in the door: Kevin Hughes
Analysis: This is about as straight-forward as it gets. Top tackles Solder (left) and Vollmer (right) return and so the edges are accounted for; the only questions with those players are whether Solder will ultimately sign an extension as he enters the final year of his contract, and if Vollmer's offseason surgery for a labrum injury has any lingering impact. The feeling from here is that Cannon should exclusively play tackle, where he seems more comfortable than at guard (a position at which he struggled in 2014). Keeping Cannon at tackle, in theory, should help him build confidence to return to the level of play he showed in 2013 when subbing in for the injured Vollmer in the second half of the season. The Patriots still think highly of him, as evidenced by the two-year extension he signed last year. Meanwhile, Fleming carved out a niche as a jumbo tight end last season, as he was effective at the end of the line of scrimmage, and that should continue. Perhaps he also gets another look at guard. Devey, who was "on the bubble" as a guard as well, has flexibility to play tackle.
Checking the locks 2015
Cornerbacks in transition
Running backs closely bunched in competition
Safeties add infusion of youth
Wide receivers don’t have much intrigue with top six returning
Defensive tackles have a different look without Vince Wilfork
Tight ends measure up with a large catch radius
Quarterbacks will take shape based on what happens with Tom Brady appeal
Defensive ends were already strong, but Patriots aggressively added to the mix
Guards a top competition, with the question how quickly rookies might be able to emerge
