After a chaotic first few days of free agency last week, with almost exclusively defensive players signed, there were high expectations for the Patriots to shift their focus to the offense and build a solid roster around Drake Maye for the 2025 season. That was especially the hope regarding the offensive line, as just one starter had been signed last week.
There was still a gaping hole on the left side of the o-line, and then the situation got worse with the news of David Andrews' release amid more left tackles being signed to other teams around the league.
The Patriots' options began to look like they'd have to sign a band-aid player just to get through the 2025 season, forcing them to draft their next starter as a long-term option. That has become the inevitable future for them now that one of the best remaining free agent options, Cam Robinson, has reportedly signed a one-year deal with the Texans.
Cam Robinson is going to the #Texans on a 1-year deal worth up to $14.5M, per sources. He’s the new blindside protector for CJ Stroud. https://t.co/0X6FBFDZWy
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 19, 2025
Although he wasn't the most desirable of options free agency had to offer this year, Robinson would have been a solid left tackle to help keep Maye off the ground this fall. At the very least, he would have been a good mentor for the presumed incoming rookie from next month's draft, but now he will be helping to defend a different young quarterback in the AFC South.
The Patriots are taking their time in adding a starting left tackle - and it's concerning
Watching the 2024 offensive line, there was a dire need for massive upgrades this offseason and unfortunately, the Patriots are yet to do that.
While the addition of a veteran like Morgan Moses is a good move, as he will be the starting right tackle, the blind side is more of a concern and has been for New England for many years now, which is not a great spot for a young quarterback like Maye to be in.
The belief was the new regime would prioritize getting that issue solved before going into the draft, but it now looks like they're hoping to solve the problem with a rookie prospect, making it seem even more like they plan to add that player with their first-round pick.
That means Patriots fans will have to be okay with LSU's Will Campbell being the No. 4 selection, because everything looks like the Patriots are banking on a guy like him to be the savior at left tackle.
It's not necessarily a bad idea, especially when you look at the success of the Chargers with their first-round pick from last year (Joe Alt), but the idea of passing on Penn State's Abdul Carter or Colorado's Travis Hunter might not sit well with many fans when the alternative pick is for a left tackle.
There is a chance they choose to hold off on addressing the position for a player later in the first, like Kelvin Banks Jr., Josh Simmons, Aireontae Ersery, etc., by trading back in or hoping they fall into the second round. But they will have to do something about the position early in the draft because otherwise, the offensive line might not be much better than last year.