Patriots Showing Interest In Guards

With the signing of former Jet Alijah Vera-Tucker to a three-year, $42MM contract, the Patriots made a significant investment at guard in free agency. Vera-Tucker will play left guard if healthy. The problem is that injuries have been a frequent issue for Vera-Tucker, who has missed 42 of 85 games since going in the first round of the 2021 draft. He sat out all of 2025 as a result of a torn triceps.

Even if Vera-Tucker has better luck with health in New England, the team has a long-term question at right guard. Michael Onwenu, who also carries significant experience at tackle, has been a full-time RG starter for the past year and a half. During a second straight 17-game season in 2025, Onwenu led Patriots offensive linemen in snap share (98.9%) and finished as Pro Football Focus’ eighth-ranked guard. The six-year veteran remains locked in at his position going into 2026, but it is the last season of his contract.

Considering the high cost of quality guards in free agency, Onwenu could price himself out of New England in a year. It would make sense to have a promising replacement like Pregnon or Bisontis waiting in the wings. Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranks Bisontis 34th and Pregnon 57th among this year’s prospects. Bisontis is a potential first-rounder who has drawn plenty of interest leading up to the draft.

Including No. 31 in Round 1 and the 63rd overall selection in the second round, the Patriots will enter the draft with 11 picks. The reigning AFC champions may not use all of those choices, though. Rather, the team could attempt to use its haul of Day 3 picks to move up, Mike Reiss of ESPN reports. The Patriots have two fourth-rounders and four sixth-rounders, which should give them the ammo to move up if they covet a certain player.