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Bill Belichick knew the New England Patriots needed help at offensive tackle, even if it meant sacrificing a member of the running back rotation, so the head coach went to his former team the Cleveland Browns for help.
The Patriots traded running back Pierre Strong Jr. for tackle Tyrone Wheatley Jr. on Sunday, August 27, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Wheatley, who went undrafted in 2020, converted from tight end to tackle during a collegiate career that took in stops with both Michigan and Stony Brook. The 26-year-old was on the practice squad for the Browns in 2022.
Strong, New England’s fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, carried the ball 10 times as a rookie, rushed for 100 yards and scored a touchdown. He also chipped in with seven catches for 42 yards, but his versatility was no longer needed after the Patriots signed former Dallas Cowboys’ Pro Bowler Ezekiel Elliott to complement lead workhorse Rhamondre Stevenson.
Elliott’s arrival settled the pecking order in the backfield, but Belichick, who coached the Browns from 1991-95, still needed reinforcements at the edges of the offensive line. That need had been compounded by tackles Trent Brown, Calvin Anderson and Riley Reiff have all dealing with injuries this offseason, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
Patriots Couldn’t Ignore OL Issues
Belichick couldn’t roll into the regular season with his current options along the front. Not after the O-line was savaged during the 23-7 loss to the Tennessee Titans in preseason on Friday, August 27.
As NESN.com’s Zack Cox put it, “the Patriots’ patchwork O-line struggled even against backups this preseason (six sacks allowed Friday night).” He also pointed out how the situation needs to change ahead of facing the Philadelphia Eagles, who led the NFL with 70 sacks last season, in Week 1.
Cox ran down the list of walking wounded, including Reiff, who injured his leg against the Titans. He joins Anderson, guard Michael Onwenu and center Cole Strange as the notable absentees.
Injuries have left the Pats relying on inexperienced tackles such as this year’s fourth-round pick Sidy Sow. There’s also Bill Murray, Andrew Stueber and Conor McDermott, although Taylor Kyles of Patriots on CLNS wonders where the latter stands after this trade.
Wheatley may not provide immediate help, especially since he’s yet to start a regular-season game in the pros. Yet he has attributes the Patriots could use.
The son of former New York Giants’ running back Tyrone Wheatley, the 17th player drafted back in 1995, offers imposing size as “a developmental/depth tackle with plus size/strength (6-6, 320),” according to Reiss.
Acquiring Wheatley at least bolsters depth at a key position. Ironically, while the Patriots needed more solutions at tackle, the team will welcome trimming the backfield.
Running Back Finds Better Fit Thanks to Deal
Strong can consider himself a winner of this trade. At least based on his potential better fit in the Browns’ ground-based schemes.
That fit involves effectiveness in a zone-style running game, according to NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry.
Strong can earn the carries in Cleveland he was unlikely to get in New England. Not when Stevenson and Elliott will lead the way.
There’s also the presence of veteran Ty Montgomery, who is versatile enough to take on the role of pass-catching back in sub packages. A Stevenson, Elliott and Montgomery trio should power the Patriots’ run-first offense, although it’s possible Strong’s speed will be missed.
The latter offered breakaway potential on the ground, something the Pats lack elsewhere in the rotation. It raises questions about whether this deal represents the best value for a team that gave up a mid-round draft pick for a player who is still trying to get onto the field.
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