The New England Patriots will be on the draft clock in about six weeks in Green Bay with major offensive needs to fill. The 2024 offense, absent Drake Maye and Pop Douglas, was lackluster. It needs significant skill position upgrades. Additionally, they have no starting-level left tackles. Thankfully, veteran Morgan Moses will man the right side.
2024 third-round pick, Caedan Wallace, was injured in 2024 and contributed little. Several 2025 tackle spots will be available. Head Coach Mike Vrabel will need to fill his other tackle positions either through trade or the draft.
Here, we'll explore the tackles who may be available after the first round. The Patriots have the fourth overall pick. They'll take the best player available or trade down for value. Assuming they don't select Will Campbell of LSU, they will likely need to draft a left tackle or two later on. Let's explore the options they might have.
Patriots have some intriguing second-round tackle options
Scuttlebutt around the NFL suggests that the Patriots may have a chance to draft either wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter or edge rusher Abdul Carter with their No. 4 pick. If so, they'll need to draft a left tackle with their pick No. 38 in the second round, and another later in the third or fourth rounds. Two solid possibilities may be available at pick No. 38.
First, is Minnesota's gigantic tackle, Aireontae Ersery. The 6'6", 335-pound Ersery is a bona fide left tackle with Big Ten credentials. Ersery was the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year and a first-team All-American.
bleacherreport.com has this to say about the big Golden Gophers' tackle,
"Aireronte Ersery is a three-year starter at left tackle inside Minnesota's balanced, zone-based run scheme. Ersery has a well-rounded, lean build with long limbs, good play strength and solid athletic ability...
"Overall, Ersery is a long, tactful blocker with good play strength, competitive toughness, and enough athletic ability to stick at tackle in the NFL..."
The next possibility is Oregon's Josh Conerly Jr. The 6'4 1/2", 310-pound Conerly was Oregon's left tackle. nfldraftbuzz.com notes this about the Ducks' accomplished warrior,
"The 2024 season marked Conerly's arrival as an elite pass protector, as he anchored Oregon's offensive line during their undefeated regular season run to the College Football Playoff... His First-Team All-American campaign, highlighted by surrendering just nine total pressures all season, convinced him to forego his remaining eligibility and declare for the 2025 NFL Draft."
Patriots' options after the top two possibilities on Day Two
A late riser with positional versatility who can play left tackle is North Dakota State's Grey Zabel. The 6'5", 305-pound Zabel is undersized for a tackle, but would still be an instantaneous upgrade there for the Patriots. Additionally, Zabel can play any position on the offensive line. He may very well slot in for the newly signed center, Garrett Bradbury, in a year or two.
thedraftnetwork.com cites some of The Thundering Herd's tackle's attributes,
"Zabel’s game reflects the same physicality, power, and relentless finishing ability that have become hallmarks of NDSU offensive linemen, who consistently anchor one of the nation’s top rushing attacks. His size and frame are prototypical for an NFL center, offering a strong foundation for success at the next level...
"Zabel’s natural power is undeniable. Watching his film, it’s evident he was built to play the offensive line. His aggression and physicality at the point of attack are consistent and reliable indicators of how he’ll handle the NFL’s demands..."
The next realistic possibility for the Patriots is big NC State left tackle, Anthony Belton. The 6'6", 345-pound Belton would be a solid second left tackle addition if the Patriots land one of the players mentioned earlier on Day Two. Belton may be suited for a right tackle or even guard role, although his experience on the left side for NC State is a tremendous asset, regardless.
nfldraftbuzz.com comments on the Wolfpack's huge "force",
"The imposing 6'6", 345-pound tackle's nickname "Escalade" perfectly captures his presence on the field - a massive, intimidating force that commands attention. Through his three years as a starter, Belton accumulated significant experience with over 2,200 offensive snaps, demonstrating steady improvement each season while playing in NC State's balanced, zone-based scheme with counter elements mixed in."
All four of these tackles would be upgrades for the Patriots. Ersery and Conerly can step right in to start and upgrade the left tackle position. Yet, don't discount the fact that either Zabel or Belton would also be an improvement.
The Patriots need left tackles. They failed to land one in free agency. Now trades and the draft are their primary options. If they continue to neglect the position, they'll fall into the same trap that the naïve 2024 personnel team did, setting the stage for failure in 2025.