According to Mike Giardi of Boston Sports Journal, Center Garrett Bradbury<\/strong> is the most important player on the offense.\u00a0 His play can determine whether this offense improves or struggles.\u00a0 This is what Giardi stated \u201cDespite being undersized, he’s always been a feisty run blocker. He’ll struggle with the likes of Quinnen Williams, just as David Andrews before him (and everyone else). But it’s the pass pro that has me worried. I’ve mentioned it before, but Bradbury gave up the highest 1-on-1 pressure rate of all centers in the league. A whopping 12.7%\u201d. \u00a0\u00a0The Patriots identified the Center position as a position of need before the Free Agency period, and I was hoping they would sign Drew Dalman.\u00a0 After Free Agency they were open to a trade but couldn\u2019t pull anything off, even though Garrett Bradbury was available from the Vikings.\u00a0 The Patriots waited until Bradbury was released before they signed him.<\/p>\n Jared Wilson <\/strong>was considered a great selection after trading down twice and still getting Wilson at pick # 95 in the Third Round He is a more stout than Bradbury but a very good athlete.\u00a0 He ran a 4.84 40-yard dash at 6\u20193\u201d 310-pounds at the Combine.\u00a0 For the 1st<\/sup> two years at Georgia he played OG and had to wait his turn to break into the starting lineup.\u00a0\u00a0 As a Red Shirt Senior, Wilson switched to Center last year and was awarded All-SEC Second Team.\u00a0 If Bradbury were to have the same problems with the pass rush, don\u2019t be surprised to see Wilson inserted.\u00a0 Wilson missed most of the pre-season workouts with an undisclosed issue.\u00a0 His progress should be monitored in Training Camp.\u00a0 Mike Vrabel has already stated that Wilson will not be asked to learn the Guard position this year.<\/p>\n Mike Onwenu <\/strong>Did not play up to the level of his contract he signed in the off-season last year.\u00a0 He showed up out of shape and missed several OTA practices last season.\u00a0 In his defense he was bounced between RG and RT.\u00a0 He started 5 games at RT and 12 at RG.\u00a0 His PFF Grade was 65.2, 51st<\/sup> of 136 Guards.\u00a0 His Pass Blocking grade was good at 71.9 which was 31st<\/sup> and his run blocking grade was a disappointing 57.5 (95th<\/sup>).\u00a0 Run Blocking was what Onwenu was known for and that\u2019s why they signed him to that three-year, $57 million deal with $38 million guaranteed. Onwenu received a $22.5 million signing bonus. \u00a0\u00a0The Patriots need Onwenu to be better.\u00a0 Entering his 6th <\/sup>year, Onwenu will turn 28 before the season ends.\u00a0 If he wants another contract from the Patriots, his play needs to improve.\u00a0 Greg Bedard has noted in his observations from the OTAs and Mini Camp that Onwenu showed up out of shape again.\u00a0 This needs to be monitored.<\/p>\n Sidy<\/strong> Sow<\/strong> started 13 games as a rookie in 2023 and played 772 snaps.\u00a0 His PFF Rating was 64.4 was 34th<\/sup> amongst all Guards.\u00a0 In the final Pre-Season game Sow suffered a severe ankle injury and he never really recovered from the injury.\u00a0 He was limited to 155 snaps and had an abysmal 29.8 rating from PFF.\u00a0 He was next to last amongst guards.\u00a0 The left Guard position is wide open although Sow has appeared mostly on the right side.<\/p>\n Cole Strange<\/strong>, is a former first-rounder that has never lived up to that billing.\u00a0 He was considered a major reach by Bill Belichick when drafted and just might be a bust!\u00a0 In Strange’s defense he was coming off a knee injury from 2023, that was mis-diagnosed and caused him to delay surgery.\u00a0 His surgery was late in the season in 2023, and he was not cleared to play until late in the season last year.\u00a0 The Patriots asked him to move to Center where he started the last two games.\u00a0 His PFF Rating was 48.6, 61st<\/sup> among 64 Centers.\u00a0 However, his Pas Blocking Grade was 79, which is pretty good.\u00a0 Strange played just 117 snaps.\u00a0 Entering the 2025 season Strange is the leader in the clubhouse for winning the starting job at Left Guard.\u00a0 This competition is the most important to watch in camp.\u00a0 It\u2019s worth noting that the Patriots did not exercise the 5th<\/sup> year option on Strange\u2019s contract.<\/p>\n Tyrese Robinson<\/strong>\u00a0appeared to have some non-padded momentum before missing mini-camp following his sister’s passing. This from Mike Giradi \u201cLike Bradbury, Robinson is a Vikings castoff. He was signed off their practice squad in November of last year and appeared to have jumped ahead of Strange before the necessary absence. He’s a strong man, though he has never been known for his footwork, even dating back to his days at Oklahoma (he played as much tackle as guard there, but don’t even think about the former at this level)\u201d.\u00a0 He has as much of a chance at starting as he does of making the final 53 man roster.<\/p>\n Layden Robinson<\/strong>\u00a0was selected in last year\u2019s draft.\u00a0 The 6\u20194\u201d 315-pound Guard had 11 starts last year for 662 snaps.\u00a0 His PFF grade was 43.6 with a 41.9 Pass Block grade and a 46.5 Run Blocking grade.\u00a0 His standing amongst guards was 128 of 136.\u00a0 Not Good.\u00a0 In the OTAs and Mini Camp he was way down on the pecking order like he was a forgotten man.\u00a0 Caeden Wallace got more of an opportunity at left guard ahead of Layden this spring which is telling.\u00a0 Robinson is going to need to impress in Training Camp if he is even going to make this team.<\/p>\n Ben Brown<\/strong> did a commendable job at Center after being plucked from the Raiders’ practice squad.\u00a0 He was thrust into the starting job immediately and did a good job in 8 of his 10 starts. However, he played very poorly against Tennessee and Arizona.\u00a0 The 6\u2019 5\u201d, 315-pound went Undrafted out of Mississippi.\u00a0 Brown was replaced by Strange for the last two games.\u00a0 His PFF rating was 52.8 with Pass Blocking grade of 47.3 and Run Blocking Grade of 59.7.\u00a0 Overall, he ranked 55th<\/sup> of 65 Centers in the league.\u00a0 He was better than Strange at Center.\u00a0 If Wilson remains limited in the summer, Brown might be able to secure a spot, otherwise he will be a candidate for the Practice Squad if he is not claimed by another team.<\/p>\n Jack Conley<\/strong> is a UDFA out of Boston College, he tied a school record by playing 60 games over his career. Safe to say he’s seen a whole bunch of looks in\u00a0 the ACC. Conley is a large human – 6’7″, 333 lbs – and played multiple spots for the Eagles. Don’t underestimate the ties to Doug Marrone, who consulted at BC last year, and Bill O’Brien<\/strong>, one of Vrabel’s best friends.\u00a0 I have seen some 53-man projections that have Conley making that last spot on the roster.\u00a0 I don\u2019t have him making the team but being a Practice Squad player.\u00a0 His versatility is something that attracts the Patriots.<\/p>\n Mehki Butler <\/strong>An UDFA made an impression at Rookie Camp as an invitee He is a 6\u20193\u201d 310-pound Guard from Arkansas State.\u00a0 Butler came from the JUCO route playing 2 years at Iowa Western Community College and was a Two Time JUCO All-American.\u00a0 The left Guard had 38 starts in college but unless he has a great camp, he has little chance of making the team.<\/p>\n The retirement of Wes Schweitzer<\/strong> threw a monkey wrench into the team’s plans. \u00a0Schweitzer, signed as a low-cost Free Agent, was taking reps with the starting group<\/p>\n Tackles \u2013 Will Campbell. Morgan Moses, Vederian Lowe,<\/strong> Caedan Wallace\u00a0<\/strong>(G\/T), Demontrey Jacobs and Marcus Bryant, Yasir Durant\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n It all starts with Will Campbell <\/strong>at Left Tackle.\u00a0 <\/strong>How he performs will make a huge difference on this team.\u00a0 Can the rookie handle the pressure of NFL pass rushers and will he be able to run block at the NFL level.\u00a0 Will his short arms be a factor?\u00a0 More importantly, who will be playing next to him at Left Guard.\u00a0 I think we should lower our expectations for Campbell.\u00a0 Looking at last year\u2019s draft class, Campbell should be in the middle of the pack, slightly better than what Vederian Lowe did last year.<\/p>\n Having Vederian Lowe<\/strong> as a backup is a luxury most teams don\u2019t have.\u00a0 Remember that Lowe is only in his 4th<\/sup> season.\u00a0 He had 8 starts and 447 snaps in 2023 after only participating in one game in 2022.\u00a0 In 2024 he missed 4 games due to injury and had 12 starts for 803 starts.\u00a0 His PFF rating was 54th with a 64.9 True Pass Blocking grade was 55th <\/sup>amongst all Tackles.\u00a0 Let\u2019s put this in perspective, only three rookies had better grades than Lowe.\u00a0 Joe Alt and Roger Rosengarten played Right Tackle.\u00a0 The only Left Tackle that did better than Lowe was JC Latham and his rank was 59th<\/sup>.<\/p>\n Morgan Moses<\/strong> brings that veteran leadership and locker room presence to the Offensive Line room.\u00a0 He struggled a bit last season as his rating went down slightly.\u00a0 How much does he have left in the tank at age 34?\u00a0 The 6\u20196\u201d 320-pound enters his 12th<\/sup> year in the league.\u00a0 If Moses can lock down the right side, it will allow Josh McDaniels and Doug Marrone to help out the rookie Campbell on the other side.\u00a0 Moses had a 66.3 Grade from PFF last year but had an 80.4 rating in 2023.<\/p>\n \u00a0Caedan Wallace<\/strong> had an up and down year, mostly down.\u00a0 He suffered an ankle injury and never really recovered from it.\u00a0 Wallace\u2019s injury was a High Ankle Sprain and Broken Fibula. He had two starts, one at LT and one at RT.\u00a0 His RT start was in week 18. \u00a0\u00a0The team penciled him in to play at Left Tackle, having never played the position in college.\u00a0 It was a disaster. Wallace was taking reps at Left Guard in the Mini-Camp, so this is something to watch in camp.\u00a0 At the least he is the backup to Moses at RT.<\/p>\n Demontrey Jacobs<\/strong> was signed off waivers at the final cutdowns.\u00a0 In 2023, he was signed as an Undrafted Free Agent by Denver and after the final cutdown was signed back to the\u00a0 Practice Squad.\u00a0 \u00a0The 6\u20196\u201d 315-pound Tackle was pressed into service last year. He played 887 snaps and had a Grade of 38.4 for 122 of 136 tackles in the league.\u00a0\u00a0 He will be in a battle to make the roster out of camp otherwise he will be a candidate for the Practice Squad.<\/p>\n Marcus Bryant <\/strong>is an interesting player drafted in the 7th<\/sup> Round.\u00a0 <\/strong>He is the reason that Armand Membou the #7 pick of the Jets never switched to Left Tackle.\u00a0 Missouri was able to sign Bryant from the Transfer Portal from SMU where he was a 1st<\/sup> Team All AAC player.\u00a0 The 6\u20197\u201d 320-pound big man, has a very skinny lower body.\u00a0 He will be battling for a Practice Squad spot.<\/p>\n Yasir Durant<\/strong> was signed this week.\u00a0 The Patriots must be unsatisfied with the progress of players at the Tackle position to bring in another player a month before camp.\u00a0 See below for his write up on the transaction.<\/p>\n Tight Ends <\/strong><\/p>\n Hunter Henry <\/strong>may be the most valuable player on the offense.\u00a0 He is so dependable as a receiver.\u00a0 Maye depended on Henry, and he delivered last year.\u00a0 The 9-year veteran had a career-high number of receptions in a season with 66.\u00a0 He added 674 yards and 2 TDs. \u00a0\u00a0In December Henry turns 31.<\/p>\n Austin Hooper <\/strong>was drafted the same year as Hunter Henry.\u00a0 He will turn 31 in October.\u00a0 Last year he had a very good season for a #2 TE with 45 receptions for 476 yards and 3 TDs.\u00a0 I identified TE as a need before the draft and was disappointed they did not select Mason Taylor.\u00a0 My biggest fear is that both Henry and Hooper are on the wrong side of 30.\u00a0 In my too-early projection, I had Hooper not making the team, only because he will soon to be 31.\u00a0 The Pats will ride these two 30+ TEs for this season.\u00a0 I am leery of having two 30+ TEs because they are more susceptible to injury.<\/p>\n Jaheim Bell\u00a0 <\/strong>The 2nd<\/sup> year TE didn\u2019t do much last season and has not looked good this Spring.\u00a0 He made one spectacular catch but also had a practice with 3 drops.\u00a0 He is in a battle for the 3rd<\/sup> TE spot but has stiff competition.<\/p>\n Jake Westover\u00a0 <\/strong>the Undrafted Free Agent out of Washington was signed by Seattle after the 2024 draft and was released with an injury settlement in November.\u00a0 He signed with the Patriots Practice Squad.\u00a0 He was elevated for the Game versus Miami and signed to the active roster for the final game versus Buffalo.\u00a0 The 6\u20193\u201d. 248-pound TE had 46 receptions for 433 yards and 4 TDs his senior season.\u00a0 One thought is to go with two TEs and a FB on the 53-man roster and keep 2 TEs on the Practice Squad to protect that position.\u00a0 Any Practice Squad player can be elevated for up to 3 times during the season.<\/p>\n CJ Dippre: <\/strong>he signed one of the highest guaranteed Free Agent contracts of the Undrafted players.\u00a0 He is not much of a pass catcher but is incredibly strong and has a reputation as a good blocker.\u00a0 He hasn\u2019t shown much during OTAs and Mini-Camp.\u00a0 Best bet is Practice Squad.<\/p>\n Gee Scott <\/strong>is a terrific athlete as evident by his RAS score of 9.82 out of 10.\u00a0 The UDFA out of Ohio State is 6\u20192.5\u201d, 238-pounds, and ran a 4.62 40.\u00a0 \u00a0He is fighting for a spot on the Practice Squad.<\/p>\n Brock Lampe <\/strong>is the only Fullback on the roster.\u00a0 I have listed him in both the running back position and TE position.\u00a0 In order to keep a fullback they have to sacrifice the 3rd<\/sup> TE.\u00a0 Lampe will play both as well as Special Teams.\u00a0 He was recruited in college as a Linebacker and switched to FB after his Freshman season.<\/p>\n The Patriots have officially announced the signing of OL Yasir Durant.\u00a0 If the name sounds familiar, he played seven games for New England in 2021 after then-head coach Bill Belichick traded a seventh-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs to land the versatile lineman. Originally a UDFA signed by KC in 2020.\u00a0 In 2021 he played 78 snaps at right tackle that season, and also made a brief appearance at right guard and as a tackle-eligible tight end for the Patriots.<\/p>\n The Patriots cut Durant in 2022 at the end of training camp, and from there he landed on the New Orleans practice squad. Durant played just one game for the Saints that year and then had a brief stint with the Denver Broncos in 2023.<\/p>\n The Missouri product stands 6\u20196\u201d 330-pounds.<\/p>\n Durant signed with the DC Defenders of the UFL in 2024 and started every game at left tackle over the last two seasons.\u00a0 He was selected as All-UFL this season.<\/p>\n UDFA DT Wilfried Pene was released today.\u00a0 This is the reciprocal transaction to signing Duran.\u00a0 The 24-year-old Pene signed with New England as a rookie free agent out of Virginia Tech on May 12. He played in 34 games for the Hokies and finished with 63 total tackles with 4 sacks. The 6-foot-2, 283-pounder, played in all 13 games last season and finished with 33 total tackles and 3\u00bd sacks. Pene was born in Tours, France.\u00a0 He should have been eligible as an International Pathways Program player because he has born in France.\u00a0 That should have given the Patriots a roster exemption.<\/p>\n Fourth round selection Craig Woodson has signed his rookie contract.\u00a0 Terms were not disclosed.\u00a0 That means that Second round pick TreVeyon Henderson is the lone unsigned rookie.\u00a0 The league overall is having trouble signing 2nd<\/sup> round picks since Houston and Cleveland signed their 2nd<\/sup> round picks to fully guaranteed contracts.\u00a0 Now all the 2nd<\/sup> round picks want fully guaranteed contracts.<\/p>\n Congrats to Drake Maye and his bride Ann Michael Hudson on their nuptials this past weekend.\u00a0\u00a0 Hudson is his longtime girlfriend and High School sweetheart.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Part two of my series of evaluations of the Patriots roster heading into Training camp concentrates on the OL and TEs..<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":41600,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-60852","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-patriots-news"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Will](\"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/USATSI_26417714_168390408_lowres-450x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPatriots sign UFL All-Star Lineman<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Patriots Release UDFA DT Wilfried Pene<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Woodson Signs His Contract<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Drake Maye Marries<\/strong><\/h3>\n