Patriots 2026 NFL Draft Preview: Best guard fits after offseason moves
With Michael Onwenu entering a contract year and injury concerns around Alijah Vera-Tucker, the Patriots should target depth at guard. Here are the best fits in the draft
The Patriots decided to revamp the interior of their offensive line this offseason. It started when they traded starting center Garrett Bradbury to the Chicago Bears. That allowed them to shift left guard Jared Wilson to the center position.
In free agency, they signed veteran guard Alijah Vera-Tucker . Vera-Tucker represents an upgrade at guard for the Patriots , but comes with risks after suffering three season-ending injuries in the last four years. On top of that, Patriots right guard Michael Onwenu enters this season in the final year of his contract extension.
That’s why the Patriots would be wise to select another guard in this year’s NFL draft. Under Josh McDaniels, the Patriots had a prototype when it came to drafting guards and centers. The average drafted player stood 6-foot-3 and weighed 310 pounds.
His average Combine times were as follows: 5. 19 40 time, 28-inch vertical, 26 reps on the bench press, 8-foot-8-inch broad jump, 7. 80 3-cone and 4.
Continue to the original source for the full article.