Unknown offensive lineman could be the key to solidifying the Patriots' roster

The New England Patriots had some major offensive line issues during the playoffs last year. Drake Maye was sacked a total of 21 times across four postseason outings, including being taken down six times in the Super Bowl.

In response to the offensive line's playoff performance, New England reworked the unit. Jared Wilson was slid over to center following the trade of Garrett Bradbury to the Bears, while Alijah Vera-Tucker was inked to a three-year deal worth $42 million to play left guard.

The team also signed former Brown and Giant James Hudson. Ben Brown was signed to an extension during the 2025 season that keeps him in New England until the end of the 2027 season.

In the draft, New England traded up to select Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu in the first round, and also selected Dametrious Crownover of Texas A&M in the sixth round. There's no doubt been a conscious effort to improve the offensive line.

Despite the strong investment the team has made in improving the line, their saving grace may be, at least in part, a previously unknown practice-squad addition.

Andrew Rupcich could be a key member of the 2026 Patriots

The Patriots, like every team, will use the summer to determine what their roster depth will look like heading into the 2026 season. An early surprise, however, has been former Culver-Stockton guard Andrew Rupcich.

Rupcich, 27, was the only NAIA player invited to the NFL Combine in 2022 and found his first team in Mike Vrabel's Titans. He remained with the Titans until the end of September last season, signing with the Patriots' practice squad and reuniting with his former coach the day after his release.

During his tenure with the Titans, Rupcich played sparingly and made the initial 53-man roster only once in four seasons. He played 224 offensive snaps, with 208 coming in 2023. He was penalized once, allowing one sack and a 3.8% pressure rate. All his snaps were played at right guard.

Vera-Tucker, a former first-round pick, holder of a $42 million contract, and the projected started at left guard, is rehabbing the tricep tear that had him on IR for the entirety of the Jets' 2025 season. In his absence, Rupcich has been taking snaps with the starters at left guard, alternating with Ben Brown.

Andrew Rupcich's path to playing time

Rupcich finding his way onto the roster will be difficult, but it's far from unreasonable. He's clearly one of the top two interior backups, as he's asserted his dominance over James Hudson and Caedan Wallace early on.

New England is likely to keep a large group of offensive linemen. The team kept nine to begin last season, five of whom were interior players. Brown will once again feature as a backup, but the statute of limitations for keeping Wallace due to his draft status has passed. Hudson has taken guard snaps in camp, but never has in his nearly 1,500 snap career.

As for playing time, Rupcich will likely struggle, barring injuries. Given Vera-Tucker's history, though, the left guard slot will likely be vacant at some point this year. The former USC Trojan has played in 43 of 85 possible games in his career and missed all of 2025.

While Brown remains the front-runner for the position, Rupcich has something going for him: size. While Mike Vrabel inherited 350-pound Mike Onwenu, he went out of his way to sign 341-pound Vera-Tucker. He clearly prefers road grading guards, and Brown is listed at 313 pounds to Rupcich's 325. That size advantage may be preferred by the offensive coaching staff.

Whether the former Titan sees significant time likely depends on a run of injuries, but he appears to be in pole position to make the team based on early indications.

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