MARCH 27: GMs who spoke with SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora predict the Patriots will look to trade up in the first-round order with the aim of bolstering their offensive line. Even if the team remains in place at No. 31, bringing in help up front would come as no surprise.
MARCH 24: The Patriots offensive line drew plenty of criticism for their performance in the postseason. New England has made some changes to the unit ahead of 2026, but the team still lacks notable depth.
That could soon change if the front office has its way. Executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf recently identified OL depth as a position the team is eyeing, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
The Patriots have made some changes to their starting lineup. They dealt center Garrett Bradbury to the Bears, allowing Jared Wilson to move to his natural position. That opened a hole at left guard, which the Patriots filled by signing Alijah Vera-Tucker.
Of course, the free agent acquisition has dealt with his fair share of injuries during his career, and 2025 fourth-overall pick Will Campbell struggled mightily in the postseason after returning from a significant knee injury. After ranking sixth last season in snaps played among OL starters, the Patriots should probably expect less luck on that front in 2026.
At the moment, the Patriots don’t have much experienced depth behind their starting grouping (which also includes Morgan Moses and Michael Onwenu). Vederian Lowe filled in admirably for Campbell in 2025 but left for the 49ers in free agency. That leaves Ben Brown as the team’s top backup OL at the moment. The Mississippi product started all 10 of his appearances for New England in 2024 and started four of his 17 appearances in 2025, and the Patriots are clearly content with his ability as a backup. However, Brown is primarily a guard/center, meaning the Patriots still don’t have a contingency plan at OT.
2025 seventh-round pick Marcus Bryant is currently penciled in as the team’s top swing tackle, while Caedan Wallace is still kicking around as a back-of-the-depth-chart option. Considering the age of Moses and Campbell’s occasional struggles in 2025, the Patriots could turn to the draft for some OT depth. However, that option would likely be more relevant for 2027 than 2026.
A backup OTs corps consisting of Bryant and a rookie would be less than desirable. As the Patriots look to build off their surprising run in 2025, it wouldn’t be shocking if they add a veteran to the mix between now and training camp.
lol.. the pats Oline? No.. it was mediocre Drake holding the ball too long.
But but he was an MVP candidate.. he was no more an mvp than Lamar Jackson. It’s a Boston media construct. Put in the tape of his absolute collapse in the playoffs.
Josh McDaniels is great with mid QBs. He doesn’t allow them to throw over the middle. Deep balls and out routes. He made McCorkle get the media swindled into thinking he was the second coming of cheating Tom. Maye is no different.
Calling Maye’s MVP run a ‘media construct’ ignores that he led the entire league in QBR and efficiency (72% completion) while being the most sacked QB in football. Comparing him to Mac Jones doesn’t hold up when you look at the tape—Maye was the best deep-ball passer in the NFL this year (+62.6 EPA on deep shots), which is the opposite of the ‘safe’ dink-and-dunk style you’re describing. The playoffs were rough, and the 21 sacks he took (an NFL record) showed that the O-line still has huge holes, but you don’t get to the Super Bowl with a ‘mid’ QB. Maye was sacked 47 times in the regular season (the most in the NFL) and a record-breaking 21 times in the playoffs. that’s not ALL his fault.
The team that took an absolute belt to the pats A$& had a mid QB. Think about that…
Nor did I describe a dink and dunk system. What I said is out routes and deep throws off play action. You might want to work on your reading comp. I guess you probably had a Boston area education, so I’ll let it slide.
But yes.. pats fans are going to see the real Drake Meh this season when they don’t get lined about against tomatoe canes.
Cans*
when you have no argument, resort to insults, but it only shows you lost the debate.
you’re also a liar ” He doesn’t allow them to throw over the middle. Deep balls and out routes” the only thing left is dink and dunk. you didnt say squat about “play action” either. you dont even comprehend YOUR OWN comment.
Stabby need a Boston education it may elevate his IQ.
Stabby – that’s as dumb as a comment I ever ever read on here – you have PDS – Patriots Derangement Syndrome. If Drake wasn’t an MVP candidate in your closed mind it proves you didn’t watch any Patriots games during the regular season and puts you in no position to pass judgement on anything.
A rookie had a bad game so the sky is falling? Relax. Campbell is going to be an all pro LT in this league.
They added James Hudson yesterday for OL debth
The guys in the locker room were hoping for Kate or Jennifer Hudson 🙂
They had actually signed Hudson before this article was originally released. His commission then was interesting. He had a rough go last year but before that was a legit swing tackle. If he can keep his cool, hes a solid signing that absolutely helps depth. And his presence wasnt even mentioned.
The Patriots are not trading up in the 1st round for OL help. Any OL they take is a redshirt. They have too many holes to trade multiple picks for someone that may not even see the field.
Now they might trade up for Jordan Tyson if he slides. Maybe Sadiq. But not an OL.