The New England Patriots, under new head coach Mike Vrabel, undertook a major roster overhaul, which was considered one of, if not the worst, in the NFL. Ostensibly, it wasn't a great picture for Vrabel overall. However, Mike Vrabel is one of the most astute NFL personnel men in the game and one of the best coaches. He knew differently.
Vrabel was keenly aware that if you have the key building block on hand, anything is possible. He knew he had the most essential piece in quarterback Drake Maye, without whose presence in Foxborough, the popular Vrabel would likely have decided to coach elsewhere.
Fortunately, with their only top personnel move of last offseason, the 2024 personnel administration (at the not-so-subtle urging of owner Robert Kraft) selected Drake Maye with the third-overall pick in the draft. Maye proceeded, once they finally decided to insert him into the lineup. He excelled with an awful supporting cast, though the predictable result was a 4-13 record. Enter Mike Vrabel.
Mike Vrabel set his sights on filling his roster's holes, especially the biggest one
One of Drake Maye's biggest issues in 2024 was his porous offensive line, arguably the NFL's worst. Mike Vrabel knows the offensive line makes everything else on a team go if you have a top quarterback. Thus, one of his first tasks was to rebuild the team's struggling 2024 offensive line.
ESPN has ranked each NFL team's roster and cited the biggest X-factor on each, including the 21st-ranked Patriots.
"Last season, Drake Maye was forced to play behind a porous line that ranked 31st in pass block win rate -- hardly ideal circumstances for a promising quarterback the Patriots hope to develop. Tackles are the most important part of the pass-protecting equation, and with two new ones, the Patriots could turn around their protection in a hurry. Being the No. 4 pick hardly guarantees immediate success (even first-round offensive linemen are below average in their first season), but it means Campbell has a shot to hit the ground running. Moses has been a stable pass protector, which should continue if his age (34) doesn't catch up to him."
The Patriots' 2025 offense's hopes will primarily ride on the shoulders of Moses and Campbell. Moses, a 34-year-old grizzled, battle-hardened 11-year NFL veteran, will anchor the line. His experience and unquestionable grit will be defining for the entire unit. He's already taken young Campbell under his wing, and that's a very welcome signal indeed of the commitment of both players.
Moses and Campbell are the bookend tackles who will set the tone for the Pats' 2025 O-line
The Patriots' starting offensive line could feature as many as four new faces in 2025, a welcome change. There'll be two new tackles, probably a new center, and possibly a new left guard. In this case, change is beneficial, and significant change is even more so.
The O-line makes the passing game work, opens holes for a successful running game, extends drives, and thus keeps the opponent's offense off the field and from scoring points, and keeps the team's defense fresh. It's any NFL team's most important unit, and without a good one, even a team with the best of quarterbacks will have issues.
Vrabel knows that and devoted a barrel-full of resources in free agency, the draft, and even undrafted free agency to shore up his O-line. There is no substitute. It's imperative to ensure you have a top offensive line every offseason, and the keys are the tackles. The left tackle is the second most important position on any NFL team after the quarterback. He's the prime protector of the quarterback's blindside. If he can't, your offense has big problems.
The Patriots lacked a left tackle in 2024, and the results were catastrophic. They allowed a monstrous 52 sacks, a prescription for disaster. Vrabel invested his top draft asset, the fourth-overall pick, in left tackle Will Campbell. The need was filled in style. The right tackle is arguably the second-most crucial offensive lineman. He also has to block a major pass-rushing threat on the defense. Morgan Moses will man that position nicely for the 2025 Patriots.
The importance of the less-than-glitzy offensive line can't be overestimated. It's the key to the whole show. Have one, and you have a chance. If not, like the 2024 Patriots, you don't. In adding Morgan, Campbell, and others, Vrabel has given the Patriots a great chance. With Drake Maye at the helm of the offense, expect a playoff run in 2025.