Patriots Eying David Andrews Replacement in NFL Draft?

The New England Patriots are widely expected to seek improvements to their ailing offensive line in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft. 

Though several analysts are projecting the team’s interest to be at the tackle position, one notable member of the Pats beat has suggested that the choices at center should also be within their consideration. 

Per a Sunday morning report from ESPN’s Mike Reiss, the 2023 Draft class is considered to be “stronger-than-usual, from a quality depth standpoint.” As such, New England might be tempted to use mid-round, or perhaps early Draft capital for a potential offensive line anchor for the foreseeable future. 

“It wouldn’t be a shock if the Patriots explore the possibility of securing the future at center, where 30-year-old incumbent David Andrews returns for his ninth NFL season,” Reiss wrote. “This is a good year to do it.” 

To further enhance his point, Reiss quote his colleague Todd McShay, who recently praised this year’s stable of interior o-linemen. “It’s a weirdly good center class that no one wants to talk about because it’s centers,” McShay said.

While Andrews is expected to remain a stalwart along the Pats line for at least the next few seasons, there are a handful of potential starting centers which may pique the Patriots interest. Both McShay and Reiss listed Wisconsin’s Joe Tippmann and Ohio State’s Luke Wypler as possible targets. However, the most prototypical Patriot at the position might be Minnesota’s John Michael Schmitz. 

The 6-3, 301-pound center earned AP All-American and all-conference honors for the Golden Gophers in 2022. By all accounts, he has both the size and savvy (a.k.a. ‘Football IQ’) to be a starting caliber center in short order. Schmitz is at his best in an inside zone and between-the-tackles gap running system. However, he has also displayed some adaptability to outside zone concepts as well. Still, the 24-year-old’s greatest asset is his ability to identify pressure and set his body to absorb it. To his greater credit, Schmitz can turn the tables on his opponents at the point of attack. 

Filling Andrews’ shoes, however, is a nearly insurmountable task. Since joining the team in 2015, the former Georgia Bulldog has been the exemplar of a team player. Throughout his career, the former undrafted free agent started 100 regular season games (110, including the postseason) for New England, providing stout protection for the Pats’ quarterbacks. Andrews has won two Super Bowls with the franchise and is a six-time team captain. He is also one of the Pats’ most durable players. Save for missing the entirety of 2019 due to the discovery of blood clots in his lungs, Andrews has missed just 11 games in seven years.

In terms of cost, Schmitz is among the top interior offensive linemen in this class. As such, some have projected him being taken as early as a mid-to-late first-round selection. If New England believes there to be no alternative for using such valuable capital to secure his services, they are likely to pass on him. However, should he fall to the late first-round, or perhaps early in the second, head coach Bill Belichick and new offensive line coach Adrian Klemm may be willing to trade up — especially  if they have filled a more pressing need at offensive  tackle or cornerback with the No. 14 selection. 

Ultimately, Schmitz may be a bit against the grain for many draft analysts. Yet, the move makes sense for a few undaunted and forward-thinking teams — of which the Patriots may find themselves atop the list. 

More Patriots coverage from Sports Illustrated here.