Previewing this year’s offensive tackle class ahead of free agency.
The New England Patriots are expected to be among the most active teams in NFL free agency this offseason. Not only do they have holes all over their roster and several crucial areas that need to be addressed, they also have vast resources to play with: New England is tops in the league with over $130 million in salary cap space available.
Parts of that sum going to the offensive tackle position would not come as a surprise. The position, after all, might be the single biggest need on the Patriots’ current roster after holding the team’s offensive back for several years now.
Patriots’ current offensive tackle situation
The Patriots already made one offseason investment at the offensive tackle position, retaining exclusive rights free agent Demontrey Jacobs via a one-year, $960,000 tender. Jacobs was the primary starter on the right side in 2024, serving as the bookend opposite left tackle Vederian Lowe.
Lowe and Jacobs played 73.6 and 79.3 percent of snaps, respectively, but the potential to upgrade both spots is obvious: neither proved himself a reliable long-term starting option in extended roles. While they remain signed for the upcoming season, their future with the team is not set in stone.
Behind those two, the Patriots have 2024 third-round draft pick Caedan Wallace on the roster as well tackle/guard hybrid Sidy Sow. Michael Onwenu, who the team prefers at guard, also has extensive experience as a right tackle and remains a candidate to move outside. In addition, Caleb Jones was signed to a reserve/futures deal after ending last year on the New England practice squad.
Patriots free agency targets at offensive tackle
Given the overall state of New England’s offensive tackle position, plus the resources available, it would not be a surprise if the team came out swinging in free agency. Of course, there is only so much to swing at: the class as a whole lacks blue-chip talent, especially with Alaric Jackson retained by the Los Angles Rams via the practice squad.
Nonetheless, there are some suitable candidates out there that would make sense for New England to pursue.
Dan Moore Jr. (UFA): Moore has been a model of stability for the Pittsburgh Steelers, starting 69 of a possible 71 games since joining the club as a fourth-round draft pick in 2021. While his pass protection has been hit-or-miss and he surrendered 12 sacks in 2024, he is an experienced starter who is still only 26 years old. The Steelers are expected to let him walk after spending a first-round draft pick at offensive tackle in back-to-back years.
Morgan Moses (UFA): Moses is already 34 and missed three games each in 2023 and 2024, but he is still as steady a right tackle as you will find on the market. An able run blocker and pass protector — he surrendered only 2 sacks and 16 total pressures as a member of the New York Jets last season — he would be a high-quality/low-cost placeholder until either Caedan Wallace or a rookie addition is ready to take over.
Cam Robinson (UFA): Ending the 2024 season as the Minnesota Vikings’ left tackle, Robinson spent most of his career in Jacksonville — including four years with current Patriots offensive line coach Doug Marrone as his head coach. The connection between the two men makes Robinson an obvious target for New England, but so does his résumé as a player: the 29-year-old is an all-around solid option, who will not give you the highest ceiling but a floor worth inserting into the lineup.
Ronnie Stanley (Void): With the aforementioned Alaric Jackson no longer on the market, Stanley is the clear top tackle remaining. As such, the Baltimore Ravens veteran might be an attractive target for the Patriots: the Pro Bowler appears to have put his injury woes behind him and would be an instant upgrade at left tackle due to his ability to both pass-protect and run-block at a steadily high level. Stanley won’t come cheap even at soon-to-be 32, but he is the best tackle out there.
Tyron Smith (Void): Tyron Smith falls into the same category as the aforementioned Morgan Moses. The long-time Dallas Cowboys LT, who also spent the 2024 season with the Jets, is an experienced blocker who still performs at a high level but would not be a long-term option. While there are questions about his future coming off a season-ending neck injury, a healthy and motivated Smith might offer good bang for the (relatively limited) buck and hold down the fort until another left tackle is ready.
The Patriots’ level of aggressiveness in regards to the free agent market at left tackle will depend both on their evaluation of the players available, and on their internal view. While having the likes of Vederian Lowe and Demontrey Jacobs under contract will not prevent New England from making a move both next week and later in the draft, Caedan Wallace’s presence might prompt them to change course.
If the Patriots’ new coaching staff feels it has a future starter in Wallace, the need at one of the tackle spots — presumably the right — would suddenly be less drastic as it currently appears to be. In that case, most if not all resources would go to solidifying the left side of the line.
Until any of that does or does not happen, though, we are left to speculate. Fact is, however, that the financially potent Patriots will be able to leave their mark on the market if they so choose.