Patriots considering former first-round pick at new position when he's healthy

The New England Patriots have struggled to protect quarterback Jacoby Brissett through the first five weeks of the season, which has led to their passing offense being one of the worst in the league.

In Week 6, they're expected to start the same group that they did in Week 5, making it the first time all year that they'll have continuity on the line in back-to-back weeks.

New England may be getting some reinforcements in the near future, as guard Cole Strange should be returning from a torn patellar tendon suffered late in 2023.

On Friday, Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo provided a small update on the former first-round pick.

"He's starting to look like an NFL player," Mayo said. "He's getting better. We'll see what happens as we go forward."

Mayo also said the team would consider moving him to center.

"100%," Mayo said. "Any of those interior spots, he can play guard and he can play center. We have to get the best person out there, and I think he has the ability, the physical tools, to be able to do it."

New England lost both starting and backup centers David and Jake Andrews for the year and have been rolling with Nick Leverett since. They also have Ben Brown, who was signed on Thursday, on the active roster and Bryan Hudson and Sincere Haynesworth on the practice squad.

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