The 2024 Patriots' offensive line was arguably the worst in the NFL. It gave up 52 sacks, and there could have been more absent the elusiveness of Drake Maye, once he was finally but belatedly inserted into the starting quarterback position.
It needed a lot of upgrades, and Head Coach Mike Vrabel moved expeditiously to fill the gaping holes. He added free agents, right tackle Morgan Moses, center Garrett Bradbury, and guard Wes Schweitzer. He then drafted two left tackles, terrific first-round draft pick, Will Campbell, and Marcus Bryant, and center/guard, Jared Wilson. He also signed BC's undrafted free agent tackle/guard, Jack Conley.
There are still a lot of question marks at guard, however, complicated by Wilson's early injury status and the retirement of Schweitzer. Few of the 2024 guards appear NFL-worthy, except for the disappointing Mike Onwenu. Help is needed, and a solid suggestion has been floated.
Adding a veteran free-agent offensive guard makes perfect sense
Brian Hines of Pats Pulpit in a mailbag article offered a possibility to add depth to the Patriots' thin offensive guard position. It's Brandon Scherff. The 33-year-old, 10-year veteran could be just what the doctor ordered after free agent signee Wes Schweitzer retired.
"Looking at some of the positions above, Dalton Risner and Brandon Scherff are the top two veteran guards remaining on the free agent market.
As for the 33-year old Scherff, the career right guard has started 17 games for three straight seasons after dealing with injuries from 2018-2021. The veteran may not be the high level guard he was early in his career at Washington, but remains a consistent option along the inside as he did not allow a sack last season."
Hines' suggestion is a sound one, and now that Schweitzer has retired, it's critically important. None of the 2025 incumbents, other than Onwenu, has shown much of anything, including former first-round pick Cole Strange. Adding a guard would be a prudent move.
Mike Vrabel should sign Brandon Scherff to replace Wes Schweitzer
Vrabel recognized the poor situation at guard and moved quickly to sign Schweitzer as one of a veteran stopgap trio, aimed at shoring things up immediately on the O-line while younger players are groomed. It didn't work out at guard. That's where Hines' suggestion comes into play.
Scherff is a grizzled veteran who knows how to play the position. With few other viable options, it would be in Vrabel's best interest to add him to the roster now before camp. Priority No. One of the main objectives this offseason was to rebuild the offensive line. Adding another veteran at arguably your worst position is eminently advisable.
Mike Vrabel has cap space to use. He can't use it any better than further fortifying his offensive line to ensure that his most valuable asset, Drake Maye, has the protection he needs. Maye, if given the time and now with a competent offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels on the scene, is ready to tear the top off the NFL in 2025. Anything Vrabel can do to improve his pass protection is a positive.