The New England Patriots don’t typically expect their rookies to step immediately into a starting role. They don’t typically give rookies snaps on the first team, even when they are the first-round pick. When the Patriots drafted Cole Strange at 29th overall in the 2022 NFL draft, Bill Belichick said what he always says about rookies.
“He’s got a long way to go like every player does when he comes into the NFL, but look forward to working with him,” the Patriots coach said of Strange on April 29.
Every rookie has “a long way to go,” according to Belichick. But it seems Strange is not like every other rookie. During the offseason program, he had been practicing with the first-team offense. He has barely missed a snap while quarterback Mac Jones has been under center during organized team activities and minicamp.
