The New England Patriots are reportedly exploring ways to fortify their offensive line, a critical unit for the team, which has faced injury challenges in recent seasons. As per insights from James Larsen of Pro Football Newsroom, Jerod Mayo and the coaching staff have organized a workout session with Liam Fornadel, a former offensive lineman for the DC Defenders in the XFL last season. Additionally, Fornadel is set to undergo a workout with the Green Bay Packers this week.
Fornadel, a standout player from James Madison University, amassed an impressive record of 55 appearances and 41 starts on the offensive line between 2017 and 2021. His stellar performance earned notable accolades, including First Team All-American honors in 2019 and Second Team recognition in 2021.
In the 2023 XFL season, Fornadel demonstrated his prowess by playing every snap for the Defenders without conceding a sack, showcasing both reliability and skill. His exceptional display led to his inclusion in the 2023 All-XFL team, highlighting his potential value to NFL teams in need of offensive line reinforcements. With a height of 6-foot-4 and weighing 312 pounds, Fornadel’s physical attributes combined with his proven track record present an appealing option for shoring up the Patriots’ offensive line.
Patriots Keep Up Their Offensive Line Rotation
Larsen’s report emerged shortly after the Patriots made adjustments to their offensive line depth. New England recently waived Andrew Stueber, a seventh-round pick from 2022, and filled his spot by signing undrafted free-agent wide receiver David Wallis.
The decision to consider Fornadel underscores the Patriots’ ongoing efforts to strengthen their roster and address vulnerabilities. Following a series of offseason maneuvers, the primary concern revolves around the offensive line, particularly the left side. Left guard Cole Strange is slated to miss a significant portion of the regular season, and last season’s starting left tackle, Trent Brown, is departing for Cincinnati in free agency.
At present, left guard responsibilities are likely to be shared by Atonio Mafi and rookie Layden Robinson. However, the most pressing issue lies at left tackle, arguably the most pivotal position on the offensive line. The Patriots acquired Chukwuma Okorafor from Pittsburgh, who is expected to start despite his struggles last year with the Steelers.
Okorafor faced benching during the 2023 season, but the Patriots are hopeful of extracting more productivity from him compared to his stint with the Steelers. The alternative option is rookie Caedan Wallace, who played on the right side at Penn State and was drafted by the Patriots in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft.
Offensive Line Concerns Linger in New England
ESPN writer Mike Reiss highlighted the apprehensions voiced by several former NFL linemen turned analysts regarding the Patriots’ offensive line. Ross Tucker, a former NFL offensive lineman and host of the “Ross Tucker Football Podcast,” expressed significant concerns, particularly about the left side of the line. Tucker emphasized that both players on that side, Okorafor and Wallace, are uncertainties, and moving them to the left doubles the uncertainty. He cautioned that while the Patriots might hope that at least one of them will excel, he has witnessed scenarios where neither did, leading to potential issues.
Damien Woody, another ex-Patriots offensive lineman now working as a football analyst, echoed similar sentiments when discussing the Patriots’ offensive line with Reiss. Woody conveyed serious worries, suggesting that the team has substantial work to do in that area. He pointed out a commonality among teams making playoff runs, emphasizing the importance of a strong offensive line. Woody stressed that successful teams often feature a top-tier quarterback and a solid offensive line, suggesting that poor offensive line performance rarely leads to deep postseason runs.
