2012 NFL Draft Impact: Analyzing the New England Patriots Re-Signing Dan Koppen

A shaky situation on the New England Patriots offensive line finally settled down with the re-signing of center Dan Koppen to a two-year, $6 million deal, per NFL.com.

The dollar amount of the contract is a bit high—especially considering he visited other teams and didn't sign elsewhere—but the news should come as a relief to the Patriots in terms of their need on the interior of the offensive line.

It was announced that Logan Mankins suffered a torn ACL and will miss at least some of the 2012 season. Add to that the shaky injury history of Sebastian Vollmer and the uncertain future of Matt Light, and there were significant question marks for the future related to four-fifths of New England's opening day offensive line from 2011.

Center Dan Connolly played admirably in Koppen's stead, and has been solid in virtually any spot he's had to play. In doing so, he's earned the confidence of offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia, according to Greg Bedard of the Boston Globe.

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As for Scar on Connolly: "he’s a very, very good center in this league." bo.st/IyQfy9

— Greg A. Bedard (@GregABedard) April 12, 2012"

Connolly played well in Koppen's stead, but Koppen has Tom Brady's favorite butt—next to his wife's, of course. Therefore, with Koppen back, Connolly can resume the backup swingman role or compete with free-agent acquisition Robert Gallery for the starting job at left guard in Mankins's stead.

Either way, retaining Koppen reduces the immediate need for an interior offensive linemen. That being said, it will still be a need sooner or later, with Koppen and Brian Waters both entering what could be the final year of their careers.

That would open up needs at guard and center, and although Connolly remains an option at either position, the Patriots would be best suited to find a mid- to late-round prospect to develop now in order to get ahead of the curve.

Scarnecchia has worked with late-round prospects and undrafted free agents virtually his entire time in New England, and the Patriots have always fielded a talented offensive line with that strategy. 

Why not put another talented player with potential through the Scarnecchia school of offensive linemen?

There will be plenty of high-upside offensive linemen available in the third round and beyond, which is where the Patriots have drafted many of their starting offensive linemen. In fact, Wes Bunting of National Football Post says that guard is one of the deepest positions in this year's draft.

Only six out of 19 starting offensive linemen since 2000 were drafted in the first two rounds—and that's if you include 1987 first-round pick Bruce Armstrong, who played the final year of his 14-year career in 2000.

Scarnecchia has a penchant for making the most out of nothing, and with another year of Koppen in the saddle, he'll have enough time to mentor yet another interior offensive linemen.

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