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Patriots Urged to Make Important Signing to Protect Drake Maye

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matthew Sullivan | Last updated May 17, 2025 1:30 PM ET

The New England Patriots have made some major changes to their roster, especially along the offensive line. Will Campbell is the starting left tackle, Garrett Bradbury and Jared Wilson will compete for the starting center spot, and Morgan Moses is the Patriots' right tackle.

Only the right guard spot and left guard position have remained unchanged from a year ago. Mike Onwenu is the starting right guard, but the left guard spot is uncertain.

Former first-round pick Cole Strange is the current projected starter, but Jayden Robinson, Wes Schweitzer, or Wilson could all get a chance at left guard.

In a mailbag for NBC Sports Boston from Phil Perry, he urged the Patriots to find a new left guard. Perry was asked what the Patriots need after the draft and free agency, and he pointed towards left guard.

Perry writes, "Though upgrades have been made at other spots in the trenches offensively, the Patriots need ot make sure they have left guard settled, because that position will help secure Maye's space to step up in the pocket."

Rounding out the offensive line with a quality left guard would go a long way to making the Patriots' offense a lot better in 2025 than it was in 2024. Perry also pointed out how a better left guard would impact the lineman playing beside him.

"It's also an especially important position, in my opinion, since the player manning it will be aligned next to a rookie left tackle in Will Campbell," Perry wrote, "and a veteran center who was recently released by his last team in Garrett Bradbury. Having a capable body in there will be key."

Not only will securing a left guard help keep Maye protected, it'll also put less stress on Campbell and Bradbury in their new roles. While there are significantly fewer options than at the beginning of free agency, there are still names available that could work for the Patriots.

Brandon Scherff has 10 years of experience, though the majority of it has been at right guard. Shaq Mason could reunite with the Patriots, but he has a similar problem of being a right guard over the past nine seasons.

The Patriots could also explore the trade market, though it'd be a challenge to find an available guard that's a solid starter at this point in the offseason.

While the Patriots have solidified nearly the entire offensive line, the left guard spot remains a concern. Perry wants the Patriots to make an addition there, as it's a pivotal season for the Patriots in the development of Maye and Campbell.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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