PATRIOTS FREE AGENTS: Lester Cotton (RFA)
NOTABLE EXTERNAL FREE AGENTS: Ronnie Stanley, Cam Robinson, Tyron Smith, Dan Moore Jr., Morgan Moses, Jedrick Wills, Will Fries, Teven Jenkins, Kevin Zeitler, James Daniels, Mekhi Becton, Patrick Mekari, Brandon Scherff
The Patriots head into an offseason where there aren't any secrets about their intentions: add offensive linemen to improve a position group that was a weak link in 2024.
Last season, New England's offensive line ranked 31st in pass-blocking win rate and last in run-blocking win rate, per ESPN's analytics. They were also second-to-last in pass-blocking efficiency, 31st in PFF pass-blocking grade, and 32nd in run-blocking grade. If the eye test wasn't enough, the metrics also paint a picture of the Patriots having the worst offensive line play in the NFL. During his first day on the job, head coach Mike Vrabel was already stressing the need for New England to beef up the trenches, a sentiment the Pats HC and personnel chief Eliot Wolf echoed in their media availability at the NFL Scouting Combine.
"The game is always won on the line, and that was before the Super Bowl," Wolf said.
Along with aiming to improve the personnel, the Patriots are hoping for internal improvement with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and veteran line coach Doug Marrone joining the coaching staff. Marrone began coaching the offensive line at the NFL level over 20 years ago with the Jets, and has eight seasons of experience running the room, with his last stop being in New Orleans as the Saints O-Line coach (2022-23). McDaniels is also lauded for simplifying rules for linemen and being able to pair his passes and runs with sound blocking schemes. The duo will hopefully have this group ready to go when the season rolls around.
Still, the Patriots must improve the talent level of the group. The primary focus for the Pats will likely be at offensive tackle, where they could use two starters and possibly a more proven commodity to play inside at left guard. New England also might add a veteran center, with captain David Andrews coming off season-ending shoulder surgery.
In the veteran tackle market, the Rams took one player off the board by re-signing starting left tackle Alaric Jackson. Jackson has developed into a quality starter in LA and was a player most expected New England to be interested in this free agency. There have also been rumblings that the Ravens are working to finalize a deal with two-time Pro Bowl LT Ronnie Stanley, but the two sides have yet to reach an agreement.
If the Ravens can't strike a deal with Stanley before free agency, one would expect the Patriots will aggressively pursue the heralded blindside protector. Stanley ranked 12th among tackles in pass-blocking win rate last season to earn his second Pro Bowl nod and appears to still have plenty in the tank at 30 years old. However, it seems unlikely that Baltimore would let a quality left tackle like Stanley walk, so an extension feels like a strong possibility.
From this perspective, current Vikings and former Jags left tackle Cam Robinson is the most likely option for the Patriots in free agency. Robinson's season ended with a tough performance in Minnesota's loss to the Rams in the Wild Card round, allowing a sack and 11 hurries against an emerging defensive line for Los Angeles. Although it was a rough ending in the playoffs, Robinson is a mostly reliable pass protector who would be an upgrade at the position, even if he's not considered elite.
Once you go down the list past Robinson, the other option on the younger side is lesser-known tackle Dan Moore Jr. Moore had a career season for the Steelers in 2024, putting together his best year in pass protection in the final year of his rookie contract. But even Moore's best was still allowing the most sacks among starting tackles (12). Wolf might also be familiar with Browns tackle Jedrick Wills, who has battled nagging injuries for the last two seasons, tallying just 814 snaps since 2023.
Then, you get to veteran bridge options like 34-year-olds Morgan Moses and Tyron Smith, who put out starter-quality tape for the Jets but need to be paired with a highly-drafted rookie. Moses and Smith could serve as much better versions of Chuks Okorafor, but they're nearing the end of their careers and aren't viewed as long-term solutions.
In an ideal world, Stanley hits free agency, allowing the Patriots to make him an offer at the top of the market. Realistically, Robinson is a solid "plan B" who would bring some stability to the position. Although he has his warts, there wouldn't be any doubt about who the starting left tackle was when camp opens next summer, which would be a win for New England. Moore's game is also on the rise, so you wonder if New England would completely remake their tackle room by signing both Moore and Robinson, with one defaulting to playing right tackle. Given that there aren't any blue-chip tackles at the top of the draft and their recent luck with day-two draft picks, the Patriots could use their cap space to add multiple starting tackles.
As for the interior offensive line, don't sleep on the Patriots hole at left guard and uncertainty at center. Starting at guard, standout OL Mike Onwenu returns to play right guard, his natural spot. Hopefully, being locked into right guard will lead to a bounce-back season for Onwenu. However, on the left side, the Pats have recent draft picks Cole Strange, Layden Robinson, and Sidy Sow under contract. Ideally, you'd like to think they could find a starter out of that group, but the trio all drafted inside the top 120 picks over the last three drafts aren't proven starters yet.
After the Chiefs franchise tagged standout guard Trey Smith the top guards available are Will Fries, Teven Jenkins, Mekhi Becton, Patrick Mekari, and Kevin Zeitler. Jenkins was a college tackle who moved inside to left guard and could command a lucrative contract in the $13 million range, meaning the Pats would have over $30 million invested in guards. Still, Jenkins is a great football player who would form a formidable interior with Andrews and Onwenu.
If the price is too high for Jenkins, Zeitler and Mekari are intriguing options. Despite being 35 years old, Zeitler can still ball, posting an 86.8 PFF grade last year in Detroit. Zeitler would fit the Commanders model of adding several above-average starters to increase the talent floor on the roster, while he's an excellent mentor to their younger guards. Mekari had a down year for Baltimore last season, but has experience playing guard and tackle on the left and right sides. That versatility would allow New England to plug him in anywhere.
From this perspective, an ideal five-man combination would look like this for the Patriots offensive line: Stanley/Robinson-Zeitler/Mekari-Andrews-Onwenu-Wallace+Top-100 pick. New England ideally comes away from free agency with multiple starting-caliber offensive linemen, so they don't need to reach on O-Line with the fourth-overall pick. That means adding a left tackle, right tackle, and left guard to have reliable options in those spots.
The Patriots will likely attack the offensive line from all angles this offseason, aiming to protect the franchise, QB Drake Maye, significantly better than they did in his rookie season. Although finding elite tackle play in free agency is challenging, New England can improve its talent floor with the veteran options available. Then, they can continue to add in the draft. One would expect a complete overhaul by Vrabel and Wolf along the offensive line.
DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer
