The New England Patriots are in free agency, and one position they will have to address now or in the draft is offensive tackle. The team would be well-advised to add at least two tackles to the mix.
A young free agent would be fine, but if not, two draft picks, one very high and another lower, are required. Ourlads (subscription required), a top draft analyst service, has one in mind in the later rounds. It's Nolan Rucci of Penn State.
With Morgan Moses about to enter his year-35 season, his tenure in New England won't last beyond this season if that. His replacement isn't likely on the team now, and the Patriots need to put one in place, pronto. Also, some think that Will Campbell will ultimately move inside to guard, which also adds to the questionable status of the offensive tackle position.
The 2025 Patriots' offensive line picked up where the dismal 2024 version left off. In 2024, they allowed 52 sacks. The 2025 version did better, but still not good enough. They allowed 47 sacks in the regular season and 21 in the postseason.
They finished off the season by allowing six sacks to the Seahawks in the Super Bowl, and that was that.
The Patriots need to add a starter and depth to offensive tackle position
The offensive line is not the most glamorous unit on an NFL football team. In fact, it's probably the least glamorous.
Yet, after the quarterback, there is no more important unit. The O-line sets the stage for winning. If you have both a top offensive line and a top quarterback, you can do wonders. The Patriots have the latter; now they need to further rebuild the former.
Ourlads lists Nolan Rucci as a late-round guy who could be a solid depth tackle. He's massive at 6'8" and 310 pounds, and the Patriots could do a lot worse.
"When atypical occurs at a high-value, high-demand position, players will get reached for because certain guys from day three are overlooked. (Nolan) Rucci may be that guy this year. The guy that comes off the board in round five or later and ends up starting games early on. He is tall (6’8”) with solid length and broad shoulders.
He excels at initial wins, as his pressure rate on passes under 2.5 seconds is eighth best in the class. It makes sense because his initial steps are solid, his punch is well-timed, he plays strong, and he is simply tough to get around."
The Patriots have needs to fill all over the field. In addition to the offensive line, they need sack-producing edge players, a No. 1 wide receiver, and probably a No. 2, a tight end, and a running back. Regardless, the offensive line should be Priority No. 1.
If you don't protect the franchise, quarterback Drake Maye (and they didn't do it well enough in 2025), any hopes of a Lombardi Trophy are illusions. They need to sign a solid young veteran and draft another, or draft a tackle high in the draft and one in a lower round, as well.
Nolan Rucci may be an option. If he's there late in the fourth round or fifth, the Patriots should send his name to the Commissioner's desk.