MARCH 27: GMs who spoke with SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora predict the Patriots will look to trade up within the first-round order with the aim of bolstering their offensive line. Even when the team stays in place at No. 31, bringing in help up front would come as no surprise.
MARCH 24: The Patriots offensive line drew loads of criticism for his or her performance within the postseason. Recent England has made some changes to the unit ahead of 2026, however the team still lacks notable depth.
That might soon change if the front office has its way. Executive vp 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 maneuver to his natural position. That opened a hole at left guard, which the Patriots filled by signing Alijah Vera-Tucker.
After all, the free agent acquisition has dealt along with his fair proportion of injuries during his profession, and 2025 fourth-overall pick Will Campbell struggled mightily within the postseason after getting back from a big knee injury. After rating sixth last season in snaps played amongst OL starters, the Patriots should probably expect less luck on that front in 2026.
In the intervening time, 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 because the team’s top backup OL for the time being. The Mississippi product began all 10 of his appearances for Recent England in 2024 and began 4 of his 17 appearances in 2025, and the Patriots are clearly content along with his ability as a backup. Nevertheless, 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 because the team’s top swing tackle, while Caedan Wallace continues to be 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. Nevertheless, that option would likely be more relevant for 2027 than 2026.
A backup OTs corps consisting of Bryant and a rookie can be lower than desirable. Because the Patriots look to construct off their surprising run in 2025, it wouldn’t be shocking in the event that they add a veteran to the combo between now and training camp.