Just minutes before the roster cut deadline, the Patriots decided to make another trade to address one of the weakest groups on the team, particularly after preseason injuries took out most of their depth.
The offensive line was one of the most problematic parts of the offense last year, and you could argue it was largely responsible for the Patriots' fall to the Seahawks in the Super Bowl. From their inexperience to their inconsistency, they just weren't good enough across the board, which made addressing the unit in free agency and the draft an absolute must.
That led to double-dipping in the draft with Caleb Lomu and Dametrious Crownover, and signing Alijah Vera-Tucker in free agency. And as the preseason saw more linemen go down with injuries, Greg Van Roten was signed to help boost an already vulnerable group.
Now, the Patriots wanted to ensure their depth was even better ahead of Week 1 by trading with the Vikings for third-year tackle Walter Rouse, who isn't the most experienced but has shown strong versatility and potential so far.
The Patriots' offensive line just got an unexpected boost from the Vikings
Because their o-line depth is mostly young and raw, it makes too much sense for the Patriots to add a 25-year-old with a bit more experience, even if it is still limited.
Perhaps his most notable trait is his ability to play across the line at tackle and guard, and that versatility makes him a great addition.
It was crucial that another player was added after Marcus Bryant was placed on IR earlier in the day, and the room was depleted with several cuts to the roster coming at the expense of the o-line, most notably Jacob Rizy, who appeared to have a solid training camp, and James Hudson, who showed a lot of promise but had a rough summer.
Rouse's recent experience playing snaps at right and left tackle, coupled with also lining up on special teams, fits exactly what New England needs, but they probably need to make a few more moves before feeling as confident as possible for the season ahead.
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