Part 8 in a series on free agency, which begins March 10 at Noon. Today's focus is on the offensive line.
Did you enjoy watching the Patriots' offensive line play? Yeah, me neither. It was akin to getting a tooth pulled without novocaine (or so I've heard). Watching the M.L. Carr Celtics. Hearing my dog bark every morning at 6 a.m. In other words, it was so bad...it was bad.
Only one player, Michael Onwenu, played at what I'd consider a league-average level, but after getting a massive raise in the offseason, more was expected. To his credit, Onwenu did whatever was asked, but the 27-year-old needs to find a higher level this upcoming season, and that starts by coming into training camp in shape.
The tackles were leaky and didn't get as much help from then-offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt as they could have, although it's hard to protect both the left and right sides. I recall lamenting Vederian Lowe's absence, and if that doesn't tell you all you need to know, I can't help you.
Lowe started 13 games on the left side. He had a few dreadful outings - does anyone remember Chicago? Or at Arizona? Or that home date against the Rams? And perhaps that will forever alter how you view Lowe. But he had his moments and possesses the necessary length (35 3/8 inch arms, 83 1/8 wingspan) and good enough feet to be a swing tackle or, with the newfound experience, perhaps a low-level starter.
Demontrey Jacobs played in 15 games and started the final 13. Considering the Pats signed him off waivers at the end of August, what happened up front makes all the sense in the world. I don't blame Jacobs. At all. He did what he could, and there was no questioning the effort. The performance, however, was lacking. 9 sacks, 7 QB hits, and 49 total pressures. The team re-signed him as an exclusive rights-free agent in February.
Player Personnel head Eliot Wolf talked up his third-round pick, Caedan Wallace, and suggested he could go from collegiate right tackle to the left side. That didn't take at training camp, and a nasty ankle injury in week four cost him almost three months of development. I don't know if he can play. You don't. I'm guessing the Pats don't either.
Michael Jordan opened the season as the team's starting left guard and didn't surrender the position until week 13. He was released shortly thereafter.
Sidy Sow was supposed to be the starter, but he hurt his ankle in August and never showed he belonged thereafter. Rookie Layden Robinson showed some promise, but man, oh man, does he have a long way to go. The Pats had to sit him in October and then bench him in Tennessee (what a terrible idea that was, lining him up against Jeffery Simmons). Robinson didn't close with a flourish, either.
Beyond that, Ben Brown had to take over for David Andrews after his shoulder gave out in San Fran. Brown was signed off the Raiders practice squad and in the Pats lineup about three minutes later. He held his own, mostly, before a concussion cost him the final two games. Cole Strange replaced Brown and maybe has a chance at that new spot. Again, there's not a lot of tape to make a decision in that regard. As for Andrews, he's 32 and has indicated he wants to play, but there was buzz at the combine that the Pats might be shopping for a center.
I've already written enough about Chuks Okorafor.
Signed for 2025:
Onwenu (2025 cap hit $21 million/signing bonus $7.5 mil/$1 million roster bonus/dead cap $27 mil)
Andrews (2025 cap hit $6.67 million/signing bonus $2.25 mil/roster bonus $176K/dead cap $4 mil)
Strange (2025 cap hit $3.89 million/signing bonus $1.52 mil/dead cap $3.89 mil)
Brown (2025 cap hit $915K)
Lowe (2025 cap hit $3.21 million)
Wallace (2025 cap hit $1.37 million/signing bonus $303K/dead cap $911K)
Jacobs (2025 cap hit $960k)
Caleb Jones (2025 cap hit $1.03 million)
Sow (2025 cap hit $1.22million/signing bonus $191K/dead cap $382Kl)
Layden Robinson (2025 cap hit $1.17 million/signing bonus $213k/dead cap $639K)
Tyrese Robinson (2025 cap hit $960K)
Jake Andrews (2025 cap hit $1.23 million/signing bonus $202K/dead cap $404K)
Lecitus Smith (2025 cap hit $1.03 million)
FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY...
1. Ronnie Stanley: From considering retirement to taking a pay cut to having his best season since 2020, Stanley has set himself up for a nice chunk of cash in free agency, assuming he gets there. The Ravens have said they are trying to get a deal done before then, and Stanley has communicated his desire to finish his career where it started. There was some buzz in Indy - unconfirmed - that the team would let him fetch a price and give Baltimore the right to match. There is some risk involved. Stanley played over 1,200 snaps this year, but that was the first time he's gone over 1,000 since 2019. He also ranked 5th in most hurries allowed, 10th in pressures, committed 15 penalties, and turns 31 this month. But in this market, Stanley is the best out there.
PFF estimates $40 million over two years ($27 million guaranteed). Spotrac says $41.3 million for two.
IF AT FIRST, YOU DON'T SUCCEED...
1. Dan Moore: Let's not fool ourselves. This next grouping isn't exciting and could be one-and-done guys. Moore had his best season for the Steelers; at 26, there's more room to grow. However, Pittsburgh has been excellent at evaluating its talent and rarely lets someone go who comes back to haunt them. Moore has started 66 games for them as a 4th-round pick. Those are almost always the guys you retain. Moore allowed a dozen sacks, although neither of his quarterbacks (Wilson and Fields) are known for being efficient processors and 41 pressures (one more than Stanley). For the record, his arm length is 34 inches, and his wingspan is 83 1/2
PFF predicts a $40 million deal over three seasons ($25 million guaranteed). Spotrac is at three years and $37 million.
2. Cam Robinson: He was supposed to be a stud coming out of Alabama. To this point, Robinson hasn't gotten there. The Jaguars benched and eventually traded the left tackle this past season, knowing they would not try to retain him in free agency. Robinson had a roller coaster ride during his half-season in Minnesota and three of his fourth-lowest-rated games in the year's final quarter. He finished the year allowing 52 pressures (only Trevor Penning in New Orleans allowed more) and 7 sacks.
His arm length is 35 1/2 inches, and his wingspan is NA.
PFF estimates a three-year contract totaling $56.25 million ($35 million guaranteed). Spotrac is at three for $42 million.
3. Morgan Moses: He's old (just turned 34). Not as old as the man that parted the Red Sea, but this Moses isn't a spring chicken either. But he is one of the toughest dudes around, missing just two games this year with an MCL sprain and bone bruise in his knee, along with meniscus damage and a small fracture. That's taking dudes out for a month or more. Not Moses. However, were the injuries a sign of things to come? He struggled more as a run blocker this season but remains rock solid in pass protection. Also, a culture guy.
PFF has a two-year deal for $10 million ($6 mil guaranteed). I'd say he's year-to-year now.
WHAT THE HELL
1. Jedrick Wills: The pluses — he's not yet 26, was a former top-10 pick, and Vrabel coached him last year. The negative — after a promising rookie campaign, Wills has been an average to below-average player, has seen his previous two seasons end with injury, and made a "business decision" regarding his availability this past season.
PFF says all it will take is one year and $3 million
2. Tyron Smith: Wanted nothing to do with you last season. Is old (34). Is always hurt. But when Smith plays, he's still a starting-caliber player. If the team swings and misses, could Wolf and company talk themselves into a Smith/Lowe/TBD trio and it being an upgrade over last year? Probably.
PFF projects $8 million over one year.
3. Joseph Noteboom: He has played both tackle spots and guard. Got himself a $40 million extension from the Rams after the 2021 season, then blew out his Achilles. Noteboom has been hurt a bunch since then.
Spotrac estimates $1.9 million for a year.
WE'RE SPENDING MONEY ON ANOTHER GUARD? YEAH. SO WHAT?
1. Teven Jenkins: With Trey Smith getting franchise-tagged, Jenkins is the best available at the position. He's a good left guard (after playing both tackle spots early in his career). Quite good. But he just doesn't play enough. His career-high is 738 snaps, and that was accomplished this past year. Before that, Jenkins played 731, 576, and 160 in his rookie season.
PFF projects 3 years and $40 million ($24 million guaranteed).
2. Aaron Banks: Athletic big man who emerged as a starter in his second year in San Francisco. Banks had his best season in 2024-25 but also dealt with injuries (a recurring theme on this linemen list).
PFF writes it's 3 years and $25.5 million ($15 million guaranteed).
3. Patrick Mekari: He is incredibly versatile and could add depth or start. Mekari had an uneven year, his first as a regular in the Ravens lineup (1,131 snaps). Of note is his performance late in the season as a pass blocker — impressive. His run game work was inconsistent throughout. Mekari was also penalized 14 times.
SNEAKY NEED (CENTER)?
1. Drew Dalman: If you're a big PFF person, Dalman's your guy. He's been one of their highest-rated centers for the last two seasons and is an excellent run blocker. He's only 26, so if he's the choice, you'd figure the position is set for several years. Dalman didn't play from weeks four to 12 with an ankle issue. He's gonna cost you, though...
PFF has Dalman set to make $56 million over four years, with $30 million guaranteed.
2. Coleman Shelton: Played in Chicago under passing game coordinator Thomas Brown last season. A stable player and helpful to Caleb Williams during his rookie year. Durable, too (quite the change).
PFF projects two years and $10 million ($6 million guaranteed). Spotrac values the contract at two years and $11.6 million.
Others of note: Tackles D.J. Humphries, Justin Skule, Charlie Heck, and Dan Skipper (do it for the Big Boy). Guards Will Hernandez, Evan Brown, Brandon Scherff, and James Daniels. Centers Dane Brunskill and Ryan Neuzil.