Two Patriots Came Down On ESPN’s All-Value NFL Team For 2021 Season

The New England Patriots packed their 2021 roster with great talent. Head coach Bill Belichick has to think of a few solutions for his injured players but this is nothing in comparison to the problems he had to deal with in 2020.

Belichick spent a lot of time, money, and assets to build his new roster. He rarely spends a lot of money on a single player. This year was different.

ESPN added two players to their all-value NFL team for the 2021 NFL season. Shaq Mason is one of them. He is one of the best interior offensive linemen in the NFL. Mason inked a five-year deal worth $45 million. His contract runs through the 2023 season.

“The Patriots signed Mason to this extension in August 2018, one full year before he could hit the free-agent market,” Mike Tanier wrote. “It looked like a whopper at the time, especially for a former fourth-round pick at the least glamorous (and perhaps least impactful) position on the field. But top guards now make upward of $14 million per year, while Mason will cost the Patriots roughly $10 million per year over the next two seasons. And he is one of the best in the business.

“To repeat the chorus, it pays to get young core veterans on long contracts before they get a chance to test the market.”

Patriots look great in 2021

Mason stands in the offensive line right next to David Andrews. The veteran re-joined the Patriots this offseason and has a four-year deal worth $19 million. Andrews missed entire 2019 season due to blood clots in his lungs. He also suffered a thumb injury in 2020. There’s nothing to be worried about at this point.

“Andrews missed the 2019 season with blood clots in his lungs and part of 2020 with a thumb injury,” Tanier wrote. “Rather than test a free-agent market likely to be wary of his health history, Andrews re-signed with the Patriots for what sure looks like a hometown discount.

“Andrews and Mason have helped the Patriots’ offensive line rank in the top 10 in Football Outsiders’ adjusted line yards metric every year since they entered the NFL together in 2015. Their affordable contracts will allow them to provide stability for years to come.”

The Patriots will have one of the best offensive line in the upcoming season. Mason and Andrews will give the O-line an excellent boost and we can’t wait to see them on the field.