On the Patriots:
New England Patriots: OT Vederian Lowe
"It seems like everyone has watched the Patriots offensive line this preseason through the gaps in their fingers. New England has strength in the interior, and Chuks Okorafor is a passable option at right tackle. But on the blind side of Jacoby Brissett, the Week 1 starter, and Drake Maye, the future of the franchise, is Lowe.
He was a sixth-round selection of the Vikings in 2022, and the Patriots acquired him for the same pick last August. He started eight games last season and struggled mightily, but the Patriots didn't make any moves in free agency and drafted only a third-round right tackle (Caedan Wallace) as competition at the position. The starting left tackle job belongs to Lowe.
Lowe must take a big step forward if he's going to hold onto the job. If he's struggling, the Patriots will put Wallace out there in his stead and let the young player start to develop. And if Lowe is struggling, it'll be harder to insert Maye into the lineup and get the rookie quarterback the valuable reps he needs, as the coaching staff will fear a rookie-season injury to Maye off the blind side. If Lowe can hold his water, the path forward for New England is immediately accelerated."
