Patriots fixed Drake Maye's protection, but the job isn't finished in 2026

"The New England Patriots have improved their offensive line significantly. Four of the five starters from 2024 have been replaced, and Drake Maye's time to throw has gone from 28th to ninth in the league in just a season, per Pro Football Focus. Will Campbell and Morgan Moses were added as the new bookends, while rookie Jared Wilson has made strides at left guard. Former first-round pick Garrett Bradbury is the anchor of the line at center, while Mike Onwenu remains at right guard."

"The depth of the line has also improved. Vederian Lowe has been serviceable in the wake of Campbell's injury, and Ben Brown isn't a step down from Wilson at left guard. Seventh-round pick Marcus Bryant has a massive frame and showed real promise in the preseason; 2024 third-round pick Caedan Wallace has been a non-factor this year, but could be a backup guard in the future."

"Despite the vast improvement, the line is still far from perfect. The Patriots have severely struggled to run the ball consistently, even with TreVeyon Henderson offering some juice to the backfield. This offseason, we could very well see some major moving pieces along the line. Lowe will be a free agent, and they may try to move Jared Wilson to center (where he starred for the Georgia Bulldogs), leaving Bradbury a cut candidate. Onwenu's big contract could be a future hinderance, and Moses will be 36 at the beginning of next year. The 2026 NFL Draft could be the best way to ensure Drake Maye is protected long into the future."

The Patriots replaced four of five 2024 offensive line starters, significantly improving pass protection and reducing Drake Maye's time to throw from 28th to ninth. New additions include Will Campbell and Morgan Moses at tackle, rookie Jared Wilson at left guard, Garrett Bradbury at center, and Mike Onwenu at right guard. Depth has strengthened with Vederian Lowe, Ben Brown, Marcus Bryant, and Caedan Wallace providing options. Run blocking remains inconsistent despite TreVeyon Henderson's contributions. Several offseason decisions loom—free agency, potential position shifts, contract concerns, and the 2026 NFL Draft present key avenues to secure long-term protection for Maye.

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