Bedard's Breakdown: Patriots trade for 2 tackles - what's it all mean and what else are they looking for?

And on the 27th day of August, the Patriots traded for two offensive tackles.

Not exactly the way you draw up when you're trying to get your offense prepared for the regular season and the defending NFC champion Eagles.

But that's what happens when ... Riley Reiff, a late-career journeyman, didn't work out at tackle, and then got hurt at guard. Conor McDermott, a career journeyman, had a middling start to training camp, was passed and then injured. And rookie Sidy Sow, who was not drafted to play right tackle by the Patriots after playing guard in college but was forced there by default, is not ready to start against the Eagles Week 1.

Enter Tyrone Wheatley Jr., who was acquired from the Browns for 2022 fourth-round pick Pierre Strong. (By the way, it should be pointed out the Patriots had Wheatley in for a workout a year ago after he was waived by Josh McDaniels and the Raiders and could have had him then for nothing, but are now giving up the equivalent of a fourth-round pick at the least. For a player the Browns were going to waive. That makes little personnel sense).

And, later and more importantly, Vederian Lowe from the Vikings for a sixth-round pick.

The Patriots, who have yet to see their two starting guards practice with the team this month, continued preparations for the Eagles, who led the league in sacks last year and added top picks Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith to an already formidable front.

This is the way of a Bill Belichick-constructed offense in 2023: throw crap at the offensive wall in March and April while paying careful mind to the defense and special teams, do it again in late August/early September if the latter didn't work. And then hope for the best.

And the Patriots are not done patching the holes on offense. What else are they looking for? What do the film and personnel execs have to say about Lowe and Wheatley?

According to league sources, the Patriots are looking hard at:

Tight end
Nose tackle
Receiver

The Patriots need another experienced and real option behind Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki. One name to keep an eye on, due to a coaching change: Tommy Tremble, a third-round pick of the Panthers in 2021. He would automatically be the best blocker at TE, and he's solid in the other areas. He seems to be on the way out.

The Patriots aren't desperate at receiver. They have high hopes for DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne and Demario Douglas. Kayshon Boutte has improved on the field and been better behind the scenes than even the team thought taking a flier on him. Juju Smith-Schuster (knee) and Tyquan Thornton (unproven) are two huge x-factors. The Patriots are very thin behind the three veterans and one injury could sink that group as well.

Patriots appeared to be looking to get younger at NT with the claim (and flunk physical) of Marquan McCall. With the release of steady veteran Carl Davis, that still appears to be in the plans. Look for a waiver claim there.

As for the tackles, here are some thoughts:

VEDERIAN LOWE

• 24
• 6-5, 320
• 6th round pick in 2022 out of Illinois
• Has played 33 NFL snaps.
• Spent majority of college and NFL career as LT but can play RT.
• Big, strong player who looks the part of power right tackle.
• Sturdy, good punch. Durable.
• NFL executives: "Strong anchor and good punch but lacks ability to redirect and handle quickness - we see him as a depth RT - has played a little at LT but not skilled enough…better than Wheatley but hard to say he’s ready to be more than a 4th" ... "Another guy who’s young and athletic and plays hard. More LT than RT ... has 3 years left on contract."
• Patriots projection: Right now, I think he's the team's best option as a starting RT given the state of the roster. And if Trent Brown gets hurt, he's a not-terrible option at LT.

TYRONE WHEATLEY JR.

• 26
• 6-6, 320
• Son of the former NFL running back. Top TE recruit went to Michigan. Left after injury issues for Stony Brook and then went to Morgan State where his dad was coach, but didn't play.
• UDFA with Bears in 2021, signed to practice squad, released in May 2022. Signed by Raiders that month, released three months later. Worked out for Patriots in late August. Signed to Browns practice squad Sept. 20, 2022. 
• Has yet to make a 53-man roster.
• Definitely has improved under the tutelage of top-notch line coach Bill Callahan.
• Wheatley is smart, gives great effort and takes coaching.
• His athletic traits are off the charts. He looks the part with his frame, length and his feet. His foot quickness is elite for his size.
• He lacks playing strength and his anchor is poor. Gets rocked back a lot
• NFL execs: "Really had trouble anchoring power…has good feet and is a decent athlete but lacked strength…I think a lot of people have seen the good in him…he has some skill. Lacks a demeanor and a toughness that would help him grind it out - likely why he hasn’t played so far in his career." ... "Really talented, tight end conversion. Has some swing value." 
• Patriots projection: Liked a lot of what I saw on film, but he's a bit of a project. His feet are great. I asked for a developmental tackle who could possibly develop into a LT months ago — they finally got a guy who ups the athletic ability in the room. It's months late, but it is what it is. I could see him as a gameday swing but maybe not right away. He's now the third-most talented OT on the team behind Brown and Lowe. Better late than never.