The Patriots as stated previously were elite on both sides of the ball during the 2025 season but will need to take it up a notch on either or both sides of the ball if they want to reach the level of teams like the Seahawks. The Patriots were the #2 scoring offense in the NFL during the 2025 season but just like with the defense of the team the offense was elite but certainly did not feel next level. The Patriots are seeking to reach another level of offensive prowess next season, and I will analyze their personnel in depth to determine if they have what it takes starting here with the offensive line.
Set to start at left tackle for the Patriots is veteran James Hudson III who leapfrogged 2025 fourth overall pick Will Campbell on the depth chart. Hudson III has consistently been not even a good caliber NFL backup throughout the duration of his career and perhaps head coach Mike Vrabel is trying to entice both the first-round tackles on New England’s depth chart to really up their game by placing James Hudson III who has consistently performed at a below average to a well below average level throughout his career first on the depth chart ahead of the more touted players. I certainly think that Will Campbell or 2026 first rounder Caleb Lomu will eventually presume the starting left tackle duties at some point during this upcoming season, however.
Listed as the current starting left guard on the Patriots’ depth chart is 2021 first rounder Alijah Vera-Tucker who is among the better if not the best overall players at his position. Vera-Tucker has graded in the above average to well above average range in terms of an overall offense grade according to Pro Football Focus in every season he has played in thus far. Grading slightly above average as a rookie in 2021 and then well above average for three straight seasons since. Vera-Tucker has however played in only one season of starter snaps since his rookie year which included missing all of 2025. Vera-Tucker was acquired by New England in the offseason and could emerge as an elite player now that he is in a better situation as he has played for the Jets his whole career. Vera-Tucker will also have the opportunity to log starter snaps for the 2nd time outside of his rookie season as well and could take the jump into the elite range as a result of more experience as well.
Set to start at center is 2025 third round pick Jared Wilson who had a mostly forgettable rookie season although not playing poorly. Wilson was below average to well below average across the board as a rookie in 2025 but is in to build off of it going into year 2 onwards. Wilson was drafted relatively high and looked decent at times as a rookie and is in line to become a solid starter in the NFL going forward.
Set to start at the right guard spot is veteran Mike Onwenu who is among the better if not the best overall offensive lineman in the sport. Onwenu in six seasons has graded in the top 10 if not in the top 5 among all qualified players at his position in terms of an overall offense grade according to Pro Football Focus on four separate occasions, while still grading in the above average range the remaining two seasons.
Set to start at the right tackle spot is Morgan Moses who is amongst the most experienced players in the NFL. Moses has been in the NFL for over a decade and most of the time has graded in the above average to well above average range in terms of an overall offense grade among players at his position according to Pro Football Focus. Despite playing last season at 34 years old, Moses graded among the better overall tackles in the sport and produced at a borderline elite level for the Patriots. Moses will likely be among the better tackles in the sport next season as well which he is set to play at age 35.
From a depth standpoint in the front seven the Patriots have some notable names that could transition to a starting role and/or serve the team as high-end backups. As stated previously, 2025 fourth overall pick tackle Will Campbell has now been relegated to a reserve role on the offensive front despite being drafted so highly and having a strong rookie season minus an abysmal Super Bowl performance. Campbell as a rookie in 2025 graded in the above average range across the board in terms of pass blocking, run blocking, and as an overall player according to Pro Football Focus, which is no small feat to do as a rookie. However, Campbell has become notorious for an atrocious Super Bowl performance which ranked as among the worst blocking performances a player has ever had in any NFL game. But given his elite draft selection and otherwise strong rookie season, I imagine that Campbell will eventually re-assume the Patriots’ starting left tackle role at some point during this upcoming season.
A few more noteworthy reserves on New England’s offensive front would be the following players; guard Caedan Wallace was drafted highly in the third round in 2024 but has not had the chance to prove himself yet. Interior offensive lineman Ben Brown graded in the above average in his first season taking snaps where he was not essentially a rookie. New England also drafted a tackle in the first round of the 2026 draft by the name of Caleb Lomu. A breakdown of New England’s offensive line can be found below.
New England Current Starting Offensive Line
LT – James Hudson III- C-, will likely surrender starting role to a young high draft pick tackle eventually next season
LG – Alijah Vera-Tucker – B+, has consistently been a very good to a great player in his career, could very well become elite as he gains more experience and is now placed in a much more conducive situation for players to thrive in
C – Jared Wilson – C- as a 3rd round rookie in 2025, in line to become at least a solid starter
RG – Mike Onwenu – A-
RT – Morgan Moses – B to B+
Key New England Offensive Line Reserves
T – Will Campbell – B- as rookie, drafted incredibly high as fourth overall pick in 2025
G – Caedan Wallace – 2024 third round pick, poor in very limited rookie snaps, has not had chance to prove he was worth high draft selection as of yet
C/G – Ben Brown – C+ to B-, above average in one season of snaps outside of essential rookie year
T – Caleb Lomu – 2026 1st round pick
The Patriots’ offensive line is one of the most talented in the sport as if/when Will Campbell or Caleb Lomu presumes the starting left tackle role, New England will have no weaknesses while also having the high-end talent and solid depth as well. New England’s potential starting left tackle is going from year 1 to year 2, New England added a borderline elite guard in the offseason, while their starting center is also going from year 1 to year 2. New England’s offensive line could take the next step in the 2026 season as a result allowing the offense to find that aforementioned next gear to it.
