The New England Patriots simplified their depth at a key position Thursday when they briefly trimmed their 90-man roster.

The Patriots waived offensive tackle Yodny Cajuste, the final remaining member of their 2019 NFL Draft class, before signing defensive tackle Justus Tavai. The Cajuste release leaves the Patriots with six offensive tackles on their 90-man roster: prospective starters Trent Brown and Riley Reiff, top reserves Calvin Anderson and Conor McDermott, 2022 seventh-round draft pick Andrew Stueber and rookie fourth-round pick Sidy Sow. Sow primarily was a college guard at Eastern Michigan, but he reportedly is viewed as a tackle prospect in New England.

Releasing Cajsute freed up cap space for the Patriots, but it also provides a clearer path for Sow and/or Stueber to gain roles for New England.

As the roster currently stands, it’s easy to project Brown for left tackle and Reiff for right tackle. Anderson is an experienced swing tackle and McDermott is another tackle with left-right versatility.

Sow hasn’t regularly played tackle since his freshman year of college, but he has the size (6-foot-5, 323 pounds), arm length (33 5/8 inch) and athleticism (5.07-second 40-yard dash) to give him a shot as a developmental tackle. It seems unlikely but with an impressive summer, he could potentially push for a starting job. Brown and Reiff are solid starting options, but neither seems set in stone on the depth chart.

Stueber is as much of an unknown. He missed his 2022 rookie season with a torn hamstring but has the opportunity to earn a roster spot this summer. The 6-foot-6, 325-pound offensive lineman was Michigan’s starting right tackle in 2021.

Cajuste was viewed as a potential steal in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft but never found his footing in New England. He started two games at right tackle last season but played just 278 regular-season snaps over four years. 

He was a safe option to serve as potential depth on the Patriots’ roster, but perhaps new offensive line coach Adrian Klemm likes what he’s seen thus far from Sow and Stueber as prospective tackles.

Featured image via Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports