Is it time to sign a backup veteran IOL or two!!!

[UGAPatsfan]

I’d also add Lomu or Campbell would be a better guard replacement than anyone they could add.

Bryant is looking like a lock and potential future starter at OT, their tackle depth provides them guard depth.

They just need Rizy to improve at center and another guy for the practice sqaud at center. No need to panic, just pray for health and development from the youth.

I also think they got a dude in Crownover. He’ll need seasoning, but that size and athleticism is hard to teach.

 

[Wozzy]

I also think they got a dude in Crownover. He’ll need seasoning, but that size and athleticism is hard to teach.

They’re pretty deep all things considered. They need stay healthy and develop these kids like they did last season. People seem to forget Ben Brown is scheduled to return in a few weeks.

 

[Ross12]

They’re pretty deep all things considered. They need stay healthy and develop these kids like they did last season. People seem to forget Ben Brown is scheduled to return in a few weeks.

Thing is, they're deep at OT, which is actually the position that's the hardest to be deep at in the NFL as far as the OL is concerned. They've prioritized it. Some of those OTs may be able to pop over to OG if necessary.

 

[Ross12]

This season will be all about the OL. So far it's looking tenuous. We have 3 left tackles that may or may not be good. An inexperienced center. The starting guards could be good but how many games will they play. RT is ancient and the backups are relatively unproven.

No reports of any issues with Wilson or Campell thus far. Wilson is playing his natural position and has a year of experience under his belt in the league. Campbell by all reports has had a good camp.

Onwenu and Moses really don't miss time, they are iron men for the most part. AVT is definitely an injury concern but is a very good player when he's healthy. I'm only really worried about AVT's health and having someone serviceable there, but otherwise, they're looking to be in a good spot unless tragedy strikes, which could always happen.

 

[Uptown]

Just trade for a conditional 2033 7th for Quinn Meinerz & be done with it..

 

[jmt57]

Who exactly are these available veteran free agent interior offensive lineman that the Patriots (or any other team) should be signing?

34-year old Joel Bitonio retired in June
36-year old Kevin Zeitler is available, but is he an improvement?
James Daniels is coming off back-to-back seasons with a torn Achilles and torn pec
36-year old Greg Van Roten was in for a visit, but left unsigned
31-year old Elijah Wilkinson is available, but is he an improvement?
Mekhi Becton was so out of shape he had to take breathers mid-drive last year

Not sure that there is anybody else on the list below that is worth looking at.

2026 NFL Free Agents: Guard

2026 NFL Free Agency: The top 100(or more) unrestricted NFL free agents for 2026. Fullbacks, kickers and punters are excluded.Star rating is out of five.Age listing as of Sept. 1, 2026. Follow me @

walterfootball.com

 

[Urgent]

When a team is offering a draft pick for Caedan Wallace, it's difficult to get excited about what's left.

There will be plenty of late round rookies waived and aging expensive vets released in two weeks.
No starters. But where the Patriots have invested in receivers other teams have invested in IOL and will be facing tough decisions.
The Patriots may face a hard choice between Kyle Williams, Boutte, and Chism.
Other teams will have similar tough decisions at IOL.
Given their waiver status, if they see a young player they want on another roster and anticipate a squeeze, they may need a similar late round pick swap.

 

[rkarp1]

start with an interior of AVT, Wilson and Onwenu is very, very good
Brown has been a very competent fill in along the interior the past 2 seasons
He should be back in 4-6 weeks from what I saw
Hudson is someone who could surprise.
There is some concern with depth, but really we are talking about the 5th or maybe even 6th man up.

I would also venture to guess that Campbell, Lomu, Bryant and if Crownover is on the team, do not see a single snap at OG between all of them

 

[moosekill]

start with an interior of AVT, Wilson and Onwenu is very, very good
Brown has been a very competent fill in along the interior the past 2 seasons
He should be back in 4-6 weeks from what I saw
Hudson is someone who could surprise.
There is some concern with depth, but really we are talking about the 5th or maybe even 6th man up.

I would also venture to guess that Campbell, Lomu, Bryant and if Crownover is on the team, do not see a single snap at OG between all of them

I am not sure really really good is accurate. You spend so much time saying how greatour players are, man crush much???they are better then last year now and hopefully will stay healthy and get better!

 

[Family]

start with an interior of AVT, Wilson and Onwenu is very, very good
Brown has been a very competent fill in along the interior the past 2 seasons
He should be back in 4-6 weeks from what I saw
Hudson is someone who could surprise.
There is some concern with depth, but really we are talking about the 5th or maybe even 6th man up.

We are talking about Hudson who I've read hasn't ever played the position, as the 1st backup into the season.

And who is backup center?

Plus Brown was shaky before the injury.

It is the biggest concern (3rd RB/3rd TE are issues, but this is worse IMO) so unless the team is perfect, I think this is a problem.

What areas are you most concerned about or is the team perfect?

 

[rkarp1]

We are talking about Hudson who I've read hasn't ever played the position, as the 1st backup into the season.

And who is backup center?

Plus Brown was shaky before the injury.

It is the biggest concern (3rd RB/3rd TE are issues, but this is worse IMO) so unless the team is perfect, I think this is a problem.

What areas are you most concerned about or is the team perfect?

I have more concerns with ILB, CB and TE than IOL, assuming Brown is back

 

[Family]

I have more concerns with ILB, CB and TE than IOL, assuming Brown is back

The young corners look really good. I am confident now in the position.

As was documented ILB was my biggest concern going into camp, but I really like Jacobs and Britt has looked like he might be first, and even good. There's still even Muma who is a better option than Hudson is as guard IMO.

TE no disagreement. Similar.

Brown won't be back for 4-6 weeks, and Vrabel left open the possibility of more.

I think TE is the only possible correct one on your list currently.

 

[rkarp1]

The young corners look really good. I am confident now in the position.

As was documented ILB was my biggest concern going into camp, but I really like Jacobs and Britt has looked like he might be first, and even good. There's still even Muma who is a better option than Hudson is as guard IMO.

TE no disagreement. Similar.

Brown won't be back for 4-6 weeks, and Vrabel left open the possibility of more.

I think TE is the only possible correct one on your list currently.

you seem to assume that Gonzo will play

 

[Family]

you seem to assume that Gonzo will play

Yes

But if something changes that really is less likely to happen I have to say what's true today.

 

[p8ryts]

I have more concerns with ILB, CB and TE than IOL, assuming Brown is back

So I guess we have highlighted the problem pretty well, the four listed above. I hope Drake has time to utilize those shiny new toys.

 

[Ian]

Vrabel loves to scrape JAGS off the Titans scrap heap. There will not be any recognizable names added to this team.

I guess my only response to that would be that I don't really know who you think they could sign? Obviously, this time of year, there aren't many of those available because they're all in camp.

 

[Hyped]

We just need to last 14 more days before final cut downs.

I say just put any healthy body in there....and have Maye wear a red non contact jersey when we practice vs. the Eagles...and keep guys out of pre-season games.

We open in 24 days.....we can get a few IOL back ups ready to go in 8-9 days....after signing them following cut downs.

It is what it is...

 

[mgteich]

And we should be glad he chose that route as that rookie is now the starting center in year 2 with tons of reps under his belt, instead of having little to no reps and being tasked with running the show on the OL right from the jump. Clearly there was a plan. RE: Wallace, he is a very young player that they liked the traits of and were hoping to develop, but clearly that wasn't working or at least not on the timeline they could afford to work with so they ended the project. While they are are thin at IOL right now, it's not like there's tons of great talented veterans just sitting around waiting for a call. All teams are holding 90 players right now but they will all have to cut ~40 each in a couple weeks. It is more logical to assume that they will use this time to get a longer look at more developmental guys to keep on the PS and then seek a better backup or two when ~1300 players hit the free agent market on August 30th, many of whom will be IOL, as @rkarp1 said.

Who exactly are these available veteran free agent interior offensive lineman that the Patriots (or any other team) should be signing?

34-year old Joel Bitonio retired in June
36-year old Kevin Zeitler is available, but is he an improvement?
James Daniels is coming off back-to-back seasons with a torn Achilles and torn pec
36-year old Greg Van Roten was in for a visit, but left unsigned
31-year old Elijah Wilkinson is available, but is he an improvement?
Mekhi Becton was so out of shape he had to take breathers mid-drive last year

Not sure that there is anybody else on the list below that is worth looking at.

2026 NFL Free Agents: Guard

2026 NFL Free Agency: The top 100(or more) unrestricted NFL free agents for 2026. Fullbacks, kickers and punters are excluded.Star rating is out of five.Age listing as of Sept. 1, 2026. Follow me @

walterfootball.com

The question is who is better than the untested UDFAs or PS players. And, yes, all of those are improvements as our active IOL backup for Game One. And BTW, which OT do you think should play center if Wilson is injured?

 

[mgteich]

Brown won't be back for 4-6 weeks, and Vrabel left open the possibility of more.

And we're trying out UDFA's to see who can be ready to our backup C for Game One.

The backup OG will be the best that we can secure for a 6th on the last day of cuts. Of course, we could just wait an compete with others for the service of the "best" one or two that could be an NFL contributor this year.

An alternative is Hudson who is a veteran OT that the team is training as a possible guard. It seems that Crownover has less and less chance at making the 53.

 

[mgteich]

I have more concerns with ILB, CB and TE than IOL, assuming Brown is back

so we just don't need a backup IOL for Game One?