There's no doubt the Patriots improved their offensive line dramatically compared to last season. Will Campbell and Morgan Moses are strong bookends, and Mike Onwenu returns to play right guard. Garrett Bradbury and Cole Strange are former first-round picks who will compete for the remaining two spots alongside third-round pick Jared Wilson. Despite the improvement, there is still something to be desired.
With Bradbury suffering an injury in camp and UDFA fullback Brock Lampe now on IR, the Patriots could look to improve the offensive line further. Despite his first-round pedigree, Strange has struggled and dealt with injuries.
Jared Wilson has been an impressive player in camp so far, per reports. He's played both left guard and center, highlighting his versatility. He allowed only six pressures and was PFF's third-highest graded center during his lone year as the starter at Georgia.
Now, even if Wilson can comfortably fill one of the interior roles, it still makes sense for the Patriots to add a contributor. The USFL's highest graded offensive lineman, according to PFF, Yasir Durant, was released on Wednesday with an injury designation, so there has been some further thinning in the unit.
Currently, there are still a handful of free agents who could be interesting additions.
Three options the Patriots could consider to add more depth to their offensive line
Dalton Risner
Risner, 30, is a former second-round pick from Kansas State and is the prototype for a high-quality utility lineman. In college, he thrived as both a center and right tackle, but in the NFL has stuck at guard. He's been steady his whole career and is a powerful pass protector.
Across over 5,100 snaps in six seasons, he's been penalized just nine times. In 2024, his 76.2 PFF pass blocking grade ranked 13th in the league.
The former Wildcat should be interested in the team due to its potential to start immediately, the beatable competition, and the team's considerable potential. Aside from maybe Brandon Scherff, I'd argue Risner is the best lineman on the market right now.
Jedrick Wills Jr.
It's been rumored that Wills plans to take 2025 off and rehab his body, but he'd be worth a call. Vrabel worked with the Browns as a consultant last year, and the offensive line was a major job of his: a line Wills was a part of. A former first-round pick from Alabama, Wills has been disappointing in the NFL.
There remains a glimmer of hope for the former Brown, however. He was selected 10th in 2020, and with the 11th pick, the Jets selected another disappointing tackle: Mekhi Becton. Becton moved inside to guard with the Eagles and was a key fixture on their Super Bowl-winning offensive line.
He was rewarded with a deal worth $10 million per season with the Chargers. Could the Patriots pursue a similar reclamation project with Wills? It's a worthwhile shot. Even if he ends up a practice-squad player or backup, it's a low-risk and high-reward opportunity.
Mark Glowinski
A once highly sought-after free agent, Glowinski signed a $20 million deal with the Giants in the 2022 offseason. He had an okay 2022 season, but was benched after a poor Week 1 performance in 2023 that featured a 1.0 (yes, you read that right) PFF pass blocking grade. He allowed nine pressures in 70 snaps, a 13% rate.
Glowinski was released the following offseason and returned to the Colts as a spot starter. His sound play before his time with the Giants may have been a function of the linemen around him, but Glowinski still has some solid grades throughout his career. He's played guard exclusively in the NFL, but he could be a helpful addition as a backup.
With Wilson and Strange already having the versatility to play center, Glowinski could fill the backup guard slot. He may not be what he once was, but the 33-year-old can still fill in if need be.
Ideally, Bradbury is 100% for the bulk of camp and can be ready for the beginning of the season, but if he can't, the Patriots may want to rely on a more experienced center than Jared Wilson, Cole Strange, or Ben Brown.
The method of finding a replacement can come through a few different avenues, but between Risner, Wills, and Glowinski, there remain a few interesting options as we edge towards the first preseason game.