The latest edition of our Patriots mailbag answers questions about offensive tackles, the offseason, and more.
The first major check mark in the NFL offseason is about to arrive for the New England Patriots and rest of the league as the Scouting Combine kicks off next week. Beyond the draft prospects being in Indy, the top league executives being in attendance helps sets the stage for free agency.
So let’s talk about it all and get right into this week’s #PostPulpit mailbag.
What are your favorite choices for free agent offensive tackles? What do you think are the most realistic OT options in FA? Is there any overlap between the two? – Sportzballer
First off, anyone is realistic this offseason due to the money the Patriots can throw at any player (as long as they are willing to take it).
As for the free agent options, Baltimore’s Ronnie Stanley is the top projected option to hit the market after he allowed just two sacks last year. But, it is noteworthy that 2024 marked the first time Stanley, who will be 31 at the start of next season, played over 1,000 snaps since 2019 as he’s consistently battled injuries of late. He also was flagged 15 times last season. Still, Stanley’s ability makes him a logical option for the short-term.
The option that could make the most sense for New England is 26-year old Alaric Jackson. Jackson has protected Matt Stafford’s blindside full-time in Los Angeles the last two years and allowed just four total sacks. Jackson has continued to get better each year he’s played and will certainly get paid if he reaches the open market. For New England, it’d be worthwhile to invest.
One of the more interesting names to watch is Cam Robinson as he was drafted to Jacksonville under now Patriots offensive line coach Doug Marrone. Robinson has plenty of career experience at left tackle but his 64 pressures were the most allowed by any tackle in the league (with the next closest checking in at 54).
If New England misses out on the top three options for one reason or another, Pittsburgh’s Dan Moore and Cleveland’s Jedrick Wills find themselves in the next left tackle tier. Wills is an interesting name due to the overlap with Mike Vrabel in Cleveland last year, although injuries have also plagued him over the last few seasons.
At right tackle, I would not mind a flyer on Morgan Moses no matter who is acquired to handle left tackle duties. Moses will be 34 at the start of next season but showed the ability to still pass protect — allowing just two sacks and 16 pressures in 14 starts last season. Adding him into the mix with Caedan Wallace could answer questions along the right side.
Lastly, we’ll note the versatile Patrick Mekari. The 27-year old would be a wise addition this offseason due to his ability to fill in anywhere up front as he’s logged over 650 career snaps at both tackle spots, left guard, and center.
Both Will Campbell and Kelvin Banks are not plug in and play prospects at Left Tackle from day 1. It seems inevitable that we go and get a player or two in free agency to play Tackle.
So whomever we draft at Tackle, and surely we will; would it not be better to go BPA at 4 if we don’t trade back and pick up a Tackle later in the draft? – WelshPatriot
Based off the arm length measurements at the Combine next week I still could see the path for Campbell starting his career at tackle before what could then be a move inside. But if New England is able to add a tackle or two from the group above it would surely open the door wider for them to go elsewhere at No. 4.
If they don’t view Campbell or Banks as plug and play they will likely go elsewhere in the first-round regardless of their free agency haul. If that is the case some other day two tackles that could be on their radar include: Minnesota’s Aireontae Ersery, Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr., NC State’s Anthony Belton, and BC’s right tackle Ozzy Trapilo.
This is the time of pie in the sky wishing and hoping and “just go get” everyone who probably won’t be available. It’s so absurd . . . Mock drafts before anyone’s added in free agency, trade fantasies that no evidence suggests, etc, etc ad nauseam. So what do you think REALLY might be doable? Is signing a SOLID tackle or two, a receiver and rotational rusher pre-draft and then getting a generational talent at 4 plus some real help on day 2 remotely likely, or are we all going to be yawning? – ed.liebfried
Again, anything is doable with $120-plus million dollars to spend as long as they can find people willing to take the money. The main problem in free agency may just be the talent level available with players like Tee Higgins and Chris Godwin looking set to return to their clubs.
Hopefully one of the top tackles discussed above will work their way to the open market for New England to add and then they can use their other resources to add the best talent everywhere else. They will have some intriguing options along the front seven (Philadelphia’s Josh Sweat, Milton Williams, and Zack Baun all being free agents) and in the secondary (Paulson Adebo, Carlton Davis, or safety Jevon Holland being options).
As for the wide receiver market, I’ve used the term floor raisers when approaching free agency due to the lack of star power. That includes players like Darius Slayton and perhaps Christian Kirk if bought out. They aren’t elite game changers but are upgrades and useful players.
While those are the three big spots, New England should be adding veterans all over the roster as well. That would free them up to go anywhere they desire with the No. 4 overall pick (and then hopefully find one hit on day two of the draft). If not, we’ll be yawning.
I don’t think it would be a surprise if they drafted a kicker in the late rounds. Any legs worth keeping an eye on?
And while on ST…can you envision Schooler getting more defensive snaps with the regime change? It would be a shame to not continue his development. He plays with juice. – PatsHowYouDoIt
I’m not really for using an asset to draft kickers due to the volatility at the position. I would much rather sign one as a UDFA or in free agency to compete with Parker Romo, who signed a futures contract at the end of last season.
Among this years rookie class, many of the kickers come from warm weather schools which was usually something New England avoided. If the current regime keeps the same mindset, perhaps they look to the lefty Ben Sauls out of Pitt.
As for Schooler, I think the role he held last year is the perfect usage for him on defense.
What are some opinions on the 2024 draft class beyond Drake Maye? Are there any players that are generating more positivity than others within media circles? – phal3123
Not too much positivity and it’s fair to see why. The two wide receivers combined for 99 receiving yards. The two lineman combined for just 13 starts. It’s reasonable to say the second best rookie was UDFA Dell Pettus. It’s not fair to write off a draft class after one year — especially someone like Caedan Wallace who spent the year injured — but the early returns do not leave much optimism from the outside.
Have there been any recent updates on Barmore’s blood clot issue? Is he expected to be at 100% cleared going into training camp? – DennyLemaster23
Unfortunately, we have not heard any definitive updates on Barmore of late. That question will be atop my list when New England’s top decision makers are available at the Combine next week.
That’s all for this week’s #PostPulpit mailbag. If you have questions you’d liked to be answered next week, submit them online in our weekly submission post or on Twitter using #PostPulpit. Make sure to be following @iambrianhines and @PatsPulpit as well.