The 2024 Patriots' offensive line was among the worst in the NFL. Quarterback Drake Maye paid the price. He was sacked a lot and, more often, pressured and hit. That situation has to change, and new Head Coach/de facto GM Mike Vrabel has already begun to address it.
Vrabel has already brought in three veterans to stabilize this situation in the short term. Morgan Moses, right tackle, Wes Schweitzer, guard, and center Garrett Bradbury will all likely step right into the starting lineup and be upgrades. More reinforcement is necessary.
Vrabel has yet to fill the left tackle position, the second most important position on the field for any NFL team. He needs to do so in the draft or face a last-place finish, looking him square in the face. He will, and maybe select other pieces to provide depth. Here, we'll suggest four who'd fit the bill at different spots in the draft.
4 offensive linemen options for the Patriots in the 2025 draft
Will Campbell, left tackle, LSU
No player in the draft will upgrade the Patriots' offensive line more than LSU's Will Campbell. He's not only the best tackle but the draft's best left tackle as well. If uber-talents Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter are off the board, the Patriots can't do better than to drop that No. 4 pick overall right on Will Campbell.
Campbell is an immediate starter at the most important position after the quarterback on the entire team, left tackle. It's an A+ pick and will bolster the Patriots' offense more than any other addition this offseason, including Stefon Diggs. No left tackle equals no passing game. Add Campbell to Diggs and another wideout or two, and the Patriots will compete for the "tournament".
bleacherreport.com highlights the massive Tigers' strengths, Drake Maye's top wish,
"In pass protection, Campbell is a fluid mover to the spot with excellent strike timing and hand placement to latch inside the frame of his target and efficiently transition into his anchor when rushers use power. He can expand and protect the corner against speed off of the edge while remaining balanced through the top of the quarterback's drop..."
Grey Zabel, tackle, North Dakota State
Another tackle/guard/center who'd be a tremendous high-round addition to the Patriots' offensive line is Grey Zabel, a left tackle from North Dakota State. Zabel is every offensive line coach's dream. He's touted to be able to play any O-line position. He'd likely take a trade-up back into the first round to get him, though. Note: He'd be worth it.
Here's what Pro Football Focus says about their fifth-ranked offensive tackle in the draft,
"Zabel is a five-position lineman who brings everything but elite arm length to the position. He is an easy projected starter at center or guard for primarily a zone blocking scheme, but he is well-rounded enough to be run-game versatile."
Jonah Monheim, center, USC
When the Patriots released long-time center and captain David Andrews, there was a huge void in the pivot. Mike Vrabel moved expeditiously and signed veteran Garrett Bradbury from Minnesota. Although depth is advisable, USC's Jonah Monheim is an option.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranks the Trojans' center as their ninth-best interior offensive lineman. He'll likely be drafted in the fourth or fifth rounds. PFF says about Monheim,
"Monheim has the raw athleticism to succeed as a zone-scheme center if he can get stronger. His lack of length is the biggest deterrent to his success and will likely prevent him from playing a swing role at other positions."
Garrett Dellinger, guard, LSU
A final Patriots' offensive line option is an offensive guard from a top SEC program, LSU's Garrett Dellinger. Dellinger fits the physical bill at 6'4" and 325 pounds. The Patriots need upgrades at guard, and Dellinger can provide them in a late round of the draft.
bleacherreport.com says this about the big Tigers' guard,
"Dellinger uses his girth and good square power to cover up, uproot and dig targets off of their spot on short pull kick-out, base and down blocks. He strains and runs his feet to tally the occasional knockdown when he catches defenders leaning into the hole and has solid snap timing to compensate for middling athletic ability and get him to his initial landmark on backside cut-offs against 2i/1T alignments."
Those are options for the Patriots on the offensive line in the 2025 draft. If they take Will Campbell, the grade will already be an A+. If not, they'll need to add two high left tackles in the draft and maybe an interior lineman or two later on as well. The O-line is the key to the whole offense. You neglect it at your peril.