The New England Patriots' offensive line looks far different from it did last season: four out of five starters are new. Mike Onwenu is the only '24 starter that remains after the draft renovated the left side of the line through Will Campbell and Jared Wilson, while free agency saw the center and right tackle slots filled via Garrett Bradbury and Morgan Moses.
While on paper things look better, and the team allowed a single sack in Week 4 against the Panthers, the line has been inconsistent in general. Their 13 sacks allowed through four games are the joint fourth most in the league, and rookie guard Jared Wilson missed the last game with an injury. Ben Brown was solid in his place (68.3 PFF grade), but perhaps the Patriots could use further fortification.
Sports Illustrated's Matt Verderame and Gilberto Manzano suggest in a recent article that the Patriots should talk to the Washington Commanders about a move for Nick Allegretti, who has played both guard spots and center since his career began in 2019.
New proposal has Patriots boosting offensive line with Nick Allegretti trade
Allegretti, 29, began his career with the Kansas City Chiefs after he was selected in the seventh round from Illinois. He was primarily a backup, but made spot starts in 13 regular-season games across his four years with Kansas City.
He signed a three-year deal with the Commanders in 2024 worth $16 million and played over 1,100 snaps last year as a protector of Jayden Daniels at left guard, a career high. He had a respectable 61.7 PFF grade.
The Commander had a rough start to 2024, being penalized three times and allowing a sack through the first two games. His 49.3 PFF grade ranks him 87/102 guards, while his 39.1 PFF pass blocking grade is relatively poor. He was benched for Andrew Wylie, another former Chief, ahead of Week 3.
Verderame and Manzano suggest the Patriots send Washington a seventh-round pick for the offensive lineman to New England. The pair reason that while the lineman isn't likely to change the Patriots' fortunes, he could offer depth to a group that has underperformed.
This trade doesn't make much sense for New England
While adding depth to the line is a reasonable request, Allegretti being the guy doesn't seem all that smart. For starters, the Patriots' line is deep along the interior, though it has been inconsistent. Ben Brown has demonstrated his capability as an interior starter, and 2024 third-round pick Caedan Wallace was moved inside this offseason. There's little doubt Vederian Lowe would have much trouble moving to the interior either.
The former Chief is being paid $3.7 million this season but is set to earn north of $7 million in 2026. The Patriots are already projected to be in the negative next year in terms of cap, so adding a $7 million backup seems like a waste.
If he were to be released at the end of the season to avoid paying his contract, then the team would have burned a draft pick on an interior backup when Ben Brown has already shown he's capable, more than
Wallace may not be an NFL player despite his draft status: he was a healthy scratch despite the injury to Jared Wilson against the Panthers. Looking to free agency or the practice squad seems like a better move for the time being than making a move for an interior backup.