The New England Patriots have parted ways with 2022 first-round pick Cole Strange after three seasons, making him a free agent before the end of his rookie contract.
Cole Strange, the No. 29 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, faced scrutiny since his selection, with many questioning the decision. Despite initially being hailed as a developmental Day 2 pick, Strange’s performance fell short of expectations, leading to his release by the Patriots.
During his rookie year, Strange started all 17 games but struggled, earning a modest 54.6 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. His subsequent two seasons saw him plagued by injuries, including a significant torn patellar tendon, limiting his playing time and impacting his on-field performance.
Despite playing a total of 30 games with 29 starts for the Patriots, splitting his time between guard and center positions, Strange failed to solidify his role within the team’s lineup. The emergence of rookie third-round pick Jared Wilson as a replacement further diminished Strange’s prospects with the franchise.
Regarded as an unexpected selection towards the end of the Bill Belichick era, Strange’s departure marks a transition as Mike Vrabel takes over as the new head coach of the Patriots. With his release, Strange now enters the free-agent market, looking for a fresh start in his NFL career.