The New England Patriots received some terrible news before Thanksgiving: No. 4 overall pick Will Campbell would be going on IR with an MCL sprain. Campbell wasn't only the team's top draft choice, but he was also their starting left tackle and an anchor to their far-improved offensive line.
Campbell's injury wasn't the only one that game, either. Fellow rookie Jared Wilson, the squad's starting left guard, also went down with a high ankle sprain that would keep him out until he eventually made his return this Sunday against the Bills.
Vederian Lowe was Campbell's replacement, and many fans expected him to play as he did in 2024, allowing five sacks and drawing 13 penalties. Instead, he has been a lifeline for the offensive line, and the Patriots have hardly missed a beat since he stepped in for Campbell.
Vederian Lowe has been a revelation at left tackle for the Patriots in Will Campbell's absence
The Illinois alum has played 142 snaps for the Patriots since he became the full-time left tackle midway through their game against the Bengals. He's yet to allow a sack and has been penalized only once, a false start against the Bills on Sunday. He allowed seven pressures on 83 pass blocking snaps in that time frame, yielding a pressure rate of 8.4%.
Comparatively, Will Campbell played 734 snaps in 12 games for New England, allowing 5 sacks and being penalized 7 times. He's allowed a pressure rate of 5.5% this year.
Lowe isn't an elite left tackle by any means, but he's shown that he's a capable spot starter. For as much flak as he got last season, his performance during the play wasn't much of an issue: his pressure rate was 6.6%. His 13 penalties were a far bigger issue, but with Doug Marrone as the new offensive line coach, some of those shortcomings seem to be being cleaned up.
Lowe has a chance to make some impressive money in the offseason if he can keep up this play. Chiefs tackle Jaylon Moore was signed to a two-year deal worth $30 million after his strong end-of-season play with the Niners. In the last five weeks of '24, Moore played 245 snaps at left tackle.
He was not penalized, forfeited one sack, and allowed a pressure rate of 6.9%. $15 million a season would be steep for Lowe, but $8-10 million wouldn't be unreasonable.
Will Campbell will be welcomed back with open arms when he returns, but Lowe has done a nice job in his absence.