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McDermott

The Rams’ offensive line has taken some hits lately, prompting the signing of McDermott. The veteran lineman appeared in six games for the Patriots last season, making five starts, and split time between the Jets and Patriots in 2022. McDermott earned a PFF blocking grade of 67.8 last season while playing exclusively at left tackle; he can serve as a bookend tackle at either side for the Rams, who could run him with the starters sooner than later in camp.

McDermott signed a two-year, $3.6 million contract last offseason but was released in September before being re-signed to the team’s practice squad. He would eventually be signed to the active roster and wound up appearing in six games while making five starts. A seven-year veteran of the league, McDermott has spent most of his career as a backup but has made 17 starts over that span. He’s spent his entire career in the AFC East, splitting time with the Bills, Jets, and Patriots. Now a free agent at 31 years old, it’s possible McDermott latches on with another team before camp.

McDermott, who started the final six games of the 2022 season at right tackle, now has more incentive-based earnings in his deal with the Patriots. The team signed McDermott in November to replace Isaiah Wynn, who landed in Bill Belichick’s doghouse. New England’s offensive line was graded by Pro Football Focus as the 12th best pass-blocking unit and the 20th best run-blocking unit in 2022.

He’ll likely replace Isaiah Wynn, who hurt his foot last week, on the active roster. McDermott has never had more than 247 offensive snaps in the season and will probably back up Trent Brown unless Bill Belichick was really serious about benching Brown. McDermott played 76 snaps for the Jets this year and was on their practice squad.

Going on 30, McDermott made six appearances for the Jets last season. Also waived/released were CB Javelin Guidry, CB Rachad Wildgoose, CB Isaiah Dunn, DL Tanzel Smart, DL Bradlee Anae, DL Jabari Zuniga, DL Jonathan Marshall, FB Nick Bawden, LB Marcell Harris, LB Del’Shawn Phillips, LB Hamsah Nasirildeen, LB DQ Thomas, OL Conor McDermott, OL Ross Pierschbacher, OL Grant Hermanns, OL Chris Glaser, QB Chris Streveler, RB Tevin Coleman, RB La’Mical Perine, S Will Parks, S Jason Pinnock, OT Chuma Edoga, TE Trevon Wesco, TE Kenny Yeboah, WR Tarik Black, WR Irvin Charles and WR Calvin Jackson.

McDermott is a veteran lineman with experience at multiple positions. He started two games at left tackle last year. McDermott even caught a touchdown pass from the goal line while lined up as a tight end in Week 15. He gives the Jets a valuable backup heading into the 2022 season.

It’s never a good sign when a player gets carted off, and the fact that McDermott was ruled out so quickly doesn’t bode well either. McDermott was fighting for the fourth tackle spot on the Jets’ squad. While he wasn’t a starter, a long-term injury would be a hit to Gang Green’s offensive line depth nonetheless.

Joining the Jets as a reserve tackle in 2019, McDermott has since played 266 snaps across 15 appearances and two starts. He was put in for rookie Mekhi Becton earlier this year when the latter was battling a shoulder injury.

McDermott joined the Patriots as a sixth-round pick this offseason but didn’t make it out of training camp. He gives Buffalo some depth at tackle with Seantrel Henderson still serving a suspension for violating the league’s drug policy.

McDermott (6’8/307) made 32 starts for the Bruins, dabbling at tight end before settling in at left tackle and earning second-team All-Pac 12 from the conference’s coaches as a junior and senior. McDermott is blessed with long arms (34 3/4") and massive hands (11"), and passable, 42nd-percentile athleticism. It remains worrisome that McDermott was dominated in his 2016 matchup with Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett, surrendering 11 QB pressures in that game alone. A waist bender lacking power and vulnerable to the bull rush, McDermott is a long shot to develop into a viable NFL starter.