The Patriots offensive line struggled last season under the direction of former play caller Matt Patricia. After the season, Bill Belichick hired former Patriots offensive lineman and veteran offensive line coach Adrian Klemm to help fix this unit.

Klemm’s first order of business is to figure out who his right tackle will be. With Conor McDermott and free agent additions Calvin Anderson and Riley Reiff all in the mix to start, the competition to figure out who starts will last all of camp.

Pass protection was a problem for this group last season. The sack numbers weren’t terrible but Patriots quarterbacks were under duress all season long. Klemm will need  to fix that.

Here are my thoughts on each player in camp.

David Andrews, C, 6-3 300, Georgia: Andrews is the linchpin of this offensive line and while he has battled injuries the last two seasons, he is still one of the best centers in the game. He plays with great leverage, power and technique. Andrews is also one of the leaders of the team. His leadership will be pivotal for the development of the young lineman on the roster.

Trent Brown, OT, 6-8 370, Florida: Brown had a tough season in 2022. He led the NFL in penalties by an offensive tackle. He needs to be much better this upcoming season. He knows that and he has put in the work this off-season to be better. Brown is not an elite level left tackle but if he is in shape and in a better frame of mind, he can still be a very good player at the position. The offensive line goes as he goes. If Brown is better, this group will be better collectively.

Michael Onwenu, OT, 6-3 350, Michigan: One of the top guards in the game, Onwenu was terrific last season despite the unit’s overall struggles. Onwenu is a pro bowl caliber guard but he can also step into the right tackle spot and play the position at a high level. Don’t let his size fool you. Onwenu is athletic, explosive and he wins with technique. He has developed into a terrific player.

Cole Strange, OG, 6-5 310, Tenn-Chattanooga: Strange had an up and down rookie season. We saw flashes of what he could do at times but he also looked like a rookie at other times. When he played well, we saw the power and athleticism he possess first hand. When he struggled, he looked overmatched and committed too many penalties. The talent is there. Klemm is going to have to find a way to get it out of Strange more consistently. The Patriots need Strange to be better. He cannot struggle or get benched again. He is too talented.

Calvin Anderson, OT, 6-5 305, Texas: Anderson comes over from Denver. He actually was with the Patriots to start his career and bounced around before settling into a role with the Broncos. He can play left or right tackle if needed. Anderson is long, athletic and plays with good bend for his size. He will be in the mix to start but might be best suited being the first guy off the bench because he can play multiple positions.

Riley Reiff, OT, 6-6 310, Iowa: The veteran is expected to be the starting right tackle. Reiff has played at a pro bowl level for a long time and like Anderson, can play both tackle spots. He is a proven veteran who is a good pass protector and plays with good positioning and technique as a run blocker. Reiff will also bring some leadership to an offensive line that needs another veteran voice.

Conor McDermott, OT, 6-8 310, UCLA: McDermott did a good job last season considering the fact that he was thrust into the starting right tackle role. He plays with good bend and te unique for his size and is an effective run blocker. McDermott holds his own against wide 9 technique pass rushers but does struggle against wide 5 techniques with get off that can bend. Despite that, he will be in the mix to start once again and is in good position to make the final roster.

James Ferentz, C, 6-2 290, Iowa: Ferentz has managed to stay on the Patriots roster because he is versatile and technically sound. He will have to stave off Kody Russey and rookie Jake Andrews this summer however if he wants to either end up on the practice squad or the 53 man roster. The Patriots value his experience in the system and his versatility.

Kody Russey, C, 6-2 295, Houston: The offensive staff really likes Russey and he will have every opportunity to make the team but he will have to beat out James Ferentz and rookie Jake Andrews. Russey is smart, tough and plays with good technique but he will need to show that he can play more than just center.

Jake Andrews, C/G, 6-3 308, Troy: The rookie was coached by former Patriots offensive line coach Cole Popovich at Troy so he has some sense of the Patriot Way. Andrews was an all-conference performance at center but has played guard as well and could ultimately settle in there down the road. Andrews temperament, toughness and fundamentals along with his versatility could land him on the final 53.

Sidy Sow, G, 6-5 318, Eastern Michigan: Sow was primarily a guard at Eastern Michigan but he will play guard and ta Joe with the Patriots. Sow is a bigger version of Mike Onwenu. While he might not be as athletic, he is pretty athletic for his size and plays the game with good fundamentals. Smart and experienced, Sow is well positioned to make the final roster with a good camp.

Atonio Mafi, G, 6-3 300, UCLA: Mafi is a road grader, plain and simple. The coaching staff at UCLA loved him. Based on his college tape, I think he is future starter in the NFL but he needs to marinate a little. A season on the practice squad would help him. With a strong camp, he can make the final 53 but it will be tough. He might better served on the practice squad first.

Chasen Hines, G, 6-3 320, LSU: Hines spent time on the active last season but we have yet to really see him play. Hines is big, athletic and moves well laterally. He has the physical tools necessary to be a good player but he will need more reps if he wants to stick.

Andrew Stueber, OT, 6-6 318, Michigan: Stueber missed last season due to injury but the Connecticut native has a shot to stick because of his size and athleticism. He can play right or left tackle but profiles more as a right tackle. He is a player worth watching in camp because he could surprise. Especially if he gets enough reps to be in the mix on the right side.