The 2024 New England Patriots' offensive line was one of the worst in the NFL. If you have no offensive line, you'll likely have no offense. It's as simple as that. The only possible exception is if you have a transcendent quarterback like Tom Brady, Joe Montana, Peyton Manning, or Patrick Mahomes on hand. Otherwise, you'll likely be a bottom-dwelling NFL team.
New Head Coach Mike Vrabel was aware of this and made significant investments in both free agency and the draft to strengthen this unit. He added as many as four possible starters with three as virtual locks. They're right tackle Morgan Moses, center Garrett Bradbury, and the team's first-round pick and fourth overall draft pick, left tackle Will Campbell.
One other draft pick, third-round center/guard Jared Wilson, is also gaining solid praise and might very well emerge as a starter himself. He's a center but has also played guard. The possibility exists for Wilson, if healthy, a concern at present, to either displace Bradbury at center or, even more likely, take the dismal left guard position outright.
Jared Wilson can be the Patriots' long-term starting center
Long-term, expect Jared Wilson to man the center position for the Patriots for maybe a decade. This offseason, the Pats released long-time center and leader, David Andrews, who subsequently retired. Andrews was a model Patriot. He rose from undrafted free agency to a perennial starter at the pivot, the second most important offensive line position after left tackle. He's a future Patriots' Hall of Famer.
Enter Jared Wilson. Top Patriots reporter, Mike Reiss of ESPN, looked to Georgia's offensive line coach, Stacy Searels, for insight on Wilson.
"I've had nine or 10 centers go and play in the NFL, and Jared is the most athletic of any of them. He has the tools to really be good. He can anchor, run in space, get moving, play with leverage, and he has big, strong hands [11 inches]. I think that's so critical in offensive line play."
Wilson will be challenged after missing the early camps due to the injury. Hopefully, he'll be healthy and ready to compete for the starting position at left guard, or potentially even at center. Wherever it may be, Wilson has the tools to be a long-time NFL starter, and he will be soon enough.
Wilson's versatility is an asset to Mike Vrabel
Having positional flexibility is a good attribute for any young player. It's beneficial if that player is looking to be an immediate starter. The good news for Wilson is that the Patriots' left guard position is wide open, and Wilson has the tools to step right into two NFL offensive line positions and start.
Regardless of his situation in 2025, Wilson is likely to be the Patriots' long-term solution at center. Veteran 30-year-old, six-year starter, Bradbury may only be a temporary solution for a year or two. Yet, he was a perfect signing by Vrabel to step in immediately and shore up the position after Andrew's departure. Conversely, if Wilson can step in and man the left guard spot, it's a win-win for Vrabel and the O-line.
Mike Vrabel invested a premium draft pick on Jared Wilson. Expect him to get playing time early once he's ready to go. While he'll likely be ticketed to center eventually, the best 2025 option may be to man that guard position. The competition is relatively weak, and Wilson is a top performer.
Jared Wilson's ability at center is reminiscent of that of all-time Dolphins great and Hall of Famer Dwight Stephenson. Like Stephenson, Wilson is a bit undersized for the position. Yet, what players like this lack in size, they make up for in technique. If Wilson can even approximate the Dolphins' great's ability, the Pats have a find. Meanwhile, if he starts anywhere on the O-line in 2025, it will be a plus.