A surprise first-round pick out of FCS Chattanooga who has rebuilt his career from a torn patellar tendon into a steady interior lineman now anchoring the Chargers' guard spot.
Cole Strange arrived in the league as one of the more debated first-round picks of the 2022 draft, a small-school prospect taken 29th overall by New England. After injuries and a roster shakeup scattered his path through three different organizations, he landed with the Chargers in 2026 looking to reestablish himself as a full-time starter.
Path to the league
Strange spent five seasons at Chattanooga, winning the Jacobs Blocking Trophy twice (2020 and 2021) and earning first-team All-Southern Conference honors as a senior. The Patriots selected him with the No. 29 overall pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, a choice that stunned much of the league given his FCS background.
Career highlights
Strange started all 16 games he played as a rookie in 2022, immediately claiming the left guard job in New England. He started 10 games in 2023 before a torn patellar tendon in Week 15 ended his season, and the injury limited him to just three games in 2024. Through 2025 he had appeared in 44 career games with 43 starts.
2025 season recap
Released by the Patriots in late August 2025, Strange briefly landed on Cleveland's practice squad before signing to the Miami Dolphins' active roster in September. He went on to start all 14 games he played for Miami at right guard under Mike McDaniel, allowing two sacks and 21 pressures on the season. He signed with the Chargers in March 2026, reuniting with McDaniel.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Cole Strange
- Pro Football Reference: Cole Strange
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Guard
- Group
- offense
- College
- Chattanooga
- Hometown
- Knoxville, TN, USA
- Age
- 28
- Status
- active
