Looking at how the new regime overseeing the Patriots has assembled the roster this offseason made one thing very clear: they are trying to put together a group that Josh McDaniels is known for elevating to new heights, while prioritizing the growth and development of Drake Maye in his second season.
That's what made the signing of UDFA fullback Brock Lampe make all the sense in the world, as the Patriots under McDaniels utilized the often overlooked position on offense. It was apparent he was likely making the team early on due to his immediate integration into practices since the spring, which was something to be excited about, given how beneficial a fullback can be for an offense.
Unfortunately, that has changed for Lampe as of Tuesday, as the Patriots announced he was placed on injured reserve, officially ending his potential rookie season already.
Patriots placed rookie FB Brock Lampe on the injured reserve.
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) July 29, 2025
Lampe was receiving snaps with the starting offense this summer. Now, his season is over.
This led the team to sign LB R.J. Moten, who most recently spent time with the UFL, which might mean they're not going to look for a fullback replacement.
The Patriots might want to consider looking at more offensive line help in wake of latest injury
Besides Lampe's season-ending injury making headlines on Tuesday, the Patriots also dealt with injuries to two offensive linemen: Garrett Bradbury and Morgan Moses.
The severity of their injuries is not yet known, but both did leave practice early and create a bit of panic about the depth of an already questionable group outside of Will Campbell and Mike Onwenu. Add in the injury to Lampe, who would have inevitably helped block on game day, and there might be reason to believe the Patriots need to look into free agent tackles for more help.
The lack of proper depth has been an issue for New England over the past few seasons, with last year being particularly problematic. The offense sent out new starting lineups on the offensive line in nearly every game, which made it difficult for them to establish any sort of continuity, especially for Drake Maye.
That can't be an issue in 2025 with so much pressure on the quarterback to build upon the impressive rookie season he had, plus the countless additions made to the roster by having the most cap space to spend in free agency.
Although fullbacks are difficult to come by in the NFL, there are plenty of reasons for Vrabel and Co. to look into who remains available at this stage in the offseason. If none are desirable, then they should shift their focus to the offensive line instead.