Karen Guregian: Patriots rookie O-line pairing sure to be targeted

FOXBOROUGH – Joint practices act as a reality check for NFL teams.

If there’s an area of weakness, or an area suspected of weakness, it’ll be exposed.

For the Patriots, they have a few spots that qualify under that heading, but one is more glaring than the others.

The offensive line once again looks like a trouble spot. It looks like it might sabotage Drake Maye and the offense by extension.

There are questions all across the line. But for the purposes of Wednesday’s joint practice with the Washington Commanders, there will be plenty of eyes on the two rookies who are currently poised to be Maye’s blindside protectors.

First round pick Will Campbell, who has been at left tackle from the outset, and 3rd-round pick Jared Wilson, a center who has taken over at left guard, will be under the microscope.

Whether it’s the Commanders, or any team the Patriots face during the preseason or regular season, there’s little doubt what side of the line they’ll try to exploit.

It’ll be the side where one rookie is next to another rookie.

And they know it’s coming.

“We just talk about how fun it’s going to be,” Wilson said of that dynamic on Monday. “Like you said, there are two rookies next to each other, left guard and left tackle, on the blindside. We know it’s going to be a challenge every day. Teams are going to bring their best to us. Just got to be ready.”

The Patriots are taking a gamble with that pairing. They’re rolling the dice.

Mostly, they’re hoping Campbell can figure it out over the course of the next few weeks.

Thus far, he’s struggled a little too often to have any comfort with him manning such a vital position on the line.

Internally, they don’t seem as stressed about Campbell as their fan base.

But what if they’re wrong, and Campbell, who isn’t blessed with favorable arm length, isn’t able to adjust? What if the 4th-overall pick ultimately can’t handle the position?

Will they give the baton to Demontrey Jacobs, the current swing tackle? Or Vederian Lowe, last year’s starter who just came off the PUP list?

Or, might they use some of their $60 million in extra cap space to sign someone, or make a trade?

As for Wilson, he’s been impressive. The former Georgia standout has been much steadier and much quicker to adapt to the pros.

He and Campbell actually did their pre-draft training together and got to know each other pretty well during that span.

With Campbell riding a rookie roller coaster, however, it might have made more sense for the Patriots to have a veteran playing left guard, as opposed to a rookie.

But that’s not how it’s worked out.

Mike Onwenu, the team’s starting right guard, believes the left-side duo will surprise people.

“Regardless of what year they are, they are good players,” he said Tuesday. “I’m sure they’ll compete and show that they belong there.”

Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, who was asked about his rookie left-side tandem last week, doesn’t believe either are miscast. And for now, they will man the left side from here on out.

“They’ve earned the right to be out there,” Vrabel said Friday. “Whether they’re 20 years old or 40, I don’t – I mean, that doesn’t – we look at whether they can play and whether they’ve earned a right to be out there, and I think that those two have right now.”

Wonder if he’ll have the same view after Wednesday’s joint practice with the Commanders, or Friday’s opening preseason game?

Or a week later after joint practices with the Minnesota Vikings?

Former Patriots Super Bowl-winning offensive lineman Damien Woody, who started his rookie year in 1999 for Pete Carroll, likes both Campbell and Wilson, and isn’t predicting gloom and doom.

“I think the biggest thing is communication. How well do they communicate,” Woody said when reached Tuesday. “If you’re communicating, and everyone’s on the same page, then you have a chance to be successful.

“Obviously, they’re rookies, and they’re going to have their growing pains, but the way I look at it, they’re all going to be growing together . . . it’s like anything with these rookies, what they are in September is not what they’re going to be in December and January?

“What you hope is the trajectory continues to go up as they gain more experience. For me, I don’t have a problem with it. Trial by fire, put them in there, let them play and gain experience, let them make mistakes, learn from it, and I think they’ll be all the better for it.”

Second-year QB Maye, and his rookie left side could be a fixture for a long time if it all works out. But as Woody said, there will be growing pains.

And how much damage will come with those growing pains if the Patriots stick with the duo?

They’re going to have a bullseye on their backs. Defensive coordinators will be licking their chops. Right out of the gate, they’ll have to deal with Maxx Crosby & Co. with the Raiders Week 1.

“I’m sure the (Patriots) coaches will do things schematically to help them out,” Woody said. “You only learn through experience. You have to go through the fire to get better.”