The final piece to the puzzle in the 2026 NFL Draft took the stage inside Lucas Oil Stadium, as the offensive linemen wrapped up combine week on Sunday afternoon.

New England made huge strides in the trenches last season, ranking a respectable 12th in run-block win rate and 13th in pass-blocking win rate in 2025. The Pats improved the offensive line by adding four new starters with two key veteran signings in RT Morgan Moses and C Garrett Bradbury, along with top-100 draft picks Will Campbell and Jared Wilson. However, head coach Mike Vrabel and EVP of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf acknowledged that their group still has room to grow after the offensive line had a bumpy ride in four playoff games, facing some of the best defensive fronts in football.

"Everyone's pretty aware that the offensive line maybe didn't finish the way that we would have hoped," Wolf told Patriots.com. "If there's a player that's out there that we think can help us, we're going to explore acquiring them."

Although the focus this time of year is on adding to the roster, the Patriots are also hopeful for internal growth from Campbell (No. 4 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft) and Wilson (No. 95 overall). The duo became the first rookie tandem to start on the offensive line in Super Bowl history, and like all young players, had some growing pains. Campbell struggled in the postseason after returning from a four-game absence due to a severe knee injury, while there's some uncertainty about whether Wilson is a center or guard long term.

During his sit-down with Patriots Draft Countdown, Vrabel noted that he'd like to see the young players on the roster get stronger this offseason. Wolf also mentioned that Campbell didn't have the same lower-body strength when he returned from injury, as both the rookies had issues with moving bodies in the run game and anchoring vs. power. By taking that next step physically, the offensive line could improve organically.

"We have to lift. We have to get stronger. When you have a young football team, you have to understand that this is a grown man's sport," Vrabel said. "I want to make sure our players understand how important their physical development is."

As for external additions, there are two spots on the offensive line that the Patriots could target now that their top brass has committed to keeping Campbell at left tackle. One is potentially adding a left guard, allowing them to bump Wilson back to his college position at center. The other is continuing to build depth for the future at tackle, specifically a successor to 35-year-old Morgan Moses.

At tackle, the question is whether to invest early in the draft in an heir to Moses or try to take on a tackle project in the later rounds. Although they need to be mindful of Moses' age and the fact that he was remarkably healthy last season (started all 21 games), there isn't a clear path for a rookie right tackle to contribute in 2026. On a team that is still building its roster, a high draft pick might end up sitting behind Moses for a year. This year, there's also an early-round cluster of tackles that teams have graded similarly, so this portion of the offseason will likely break some ties for evaluators, while the "tackle tax" is a real thing that often sees those projected to be starters early in their pro careers go much higher than anticipated.

As for left guard, my preference would be for the Patriots to invest in a solid veteran free-agent market to pair Campbell with a more experienced wingman while Wilson transitions to center. David Edwards, Isaac Seumalo, Joel Bitinio, Zion Johnson, and Alijah Vera-Tucker are all proven starters on the left side who make up a good group of free agents. There are also options in the draft that we'll highlight, whether those are pure guard prospects or college tackle-to-guard converts.

The Patriots did a nice job improving the offensive line last season, but the work is not done to protect QB Drake Maye – good teams build through the trenches. Here are the top standouts from the athletic testing and on-field workouts for the offensive line on Sunday.

OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama (Consensus Ranking: 22)

We removed blurbs about Georgia's Monroe Freeling and Utah LT Caleb Lomu because they're going to be top-20 picks – let's not waste our time. So, we'll start with Proctor, who is a top-25 prospect by consensus but has some weight issues and streaky fundamentals that could see him slide to the backend of the first round. Proctor dropped weight to 352 pounds, then became the only lineman at 350-plus pounds to jump over 32 inches in the vertical since at least 2003. Proctor has people-moving power to generate instant movement in the run game and anchor in pass protection, profiling as a Patriots right tackle.

Proctor's issues come when he's tested with speed by high-side rushers, who get him to overset or beat him to the junction point, leading to quick losses when he tries to match speed. He also has some struggles with picking up post-snap movement when asked to change directions suddenly, so basically all large human issues. As a former five-star recruit and multi-year starter at a top college program, Proctor has enticing tools – we'll see if he can put it all together.

OT Blake Miller, Clemson (Consensus Ranking: 38)

The Clemson product is one of the cleanest projections at tackle in this range of the draft, with 54 career starts under his belt at right tackle. Miller is the first Clemson offensive lineman to start every game across four seasons without a redshirt year. The commitment to football feels like something Vrabel would love and Miller's tape is good, too. He is a polished pass-protector who is quick out of his stance to cut off angles to the QB, throws heavy punches, and is a good lateral mover to reach blocks on the line of scrimmage.

Miller appears to be a high-floor prospect with shades of Ravens RT Roger Rosengarten, who is a rock-solid pro. However, my one concern is that he doesn't really fit the whole "get stronger" mantra. Miller plays with high pads, doesn't generate much movement in his run blocks, and needs to improve his functional strength. Having said that, there's a ton to like about his athletic profile, experience, and overall game. Miller will be a starting right tackle early in his rookie contract and could be in play for the Patriots at No. 31.

OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State (Consensus Ranking: 39)

Iheanachor was my favorite top-50 prospect for the Patriots to draft as Moses's successor, but his outstanding workout likely means they'd need to draft him at No. 31. At 6-6, 321 pounds with the length to stick at tackle (33 ⅞" arms), Iheanachor posted an elite 9.91 out of 10 relative athletic score, with an impressive 1.73s 10-yard split (80th percentile). His movement skills translate on tape to how springy he is out of his stance, easily meeting rushers at the junction point and redirecting against inside counters. Last season, Iheanachor limited Texas Tech duo David Bailey and Romello Height to just two hurries.

The reason why Iheanachor is being discussed as a top-40 prospect rather than a sure-fire first-rounder is that he's a late bloomer. Iheanachor will need technical development, mainly perfecting his footwork to maintain his inside-out leverage and more accurate hand strikes to avoid catching blocks. It might be ideal for him to sit behind a vet like Moses until he's a finished product, but tackle-needy teams are going to bet on the traits and flashes of high-level tape vs. top competition early in April's draft.

OG Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon (Consensus Ranking: 40)

I've long been against taking pure guard prospects in the first round due to positional value. Guard isn't a premium position and you can often find guards outside of the first round. I've also said I'd prefer a veteran next to Campbell, splitting up the youth on the O-Line by having a seasoned pro serve as his wingman. My preference would be to address the need at left guard in free agency, where it's a strong market.

That said, Pregnon has a wide, powerful frame with an 82 7/8-inch wingspan (95th percentile), which is the type of guard we'd like to pair with Campbell. You can see Pregnon's power in his run-blocking film (moves the line on double teams/combos) and how quickly he anchors. Pregnon is also an impressive athlete, posting a 9.42 out of 10 relative athletic score with elite explosiveness (35" vert, 97th percentile). Although it would go against my beliefs on early-round guards, Pregnon is part of the first-round conversation.

OG Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M (Consensus Ranking: 46)

Bisontis started games early in his college career at right tackle before settling in at left guard for his final two collegiate seasons. As anticipated, the Texas A&M product tested well. Bisontis is a high-level pass protector as an easy mover with good balance and quick strikes to steer blocks where he wants them to go. Therefore, it wasn't shocking that Bisontis posted a 9.93 out of 10 relative athletic score and was smooth in his drill work, especially the wave drill, which NFL Network used as a teach tape example.

The concern with Bistontis as a Patriots fit is that he lacks ideal length (29th percentile wingspan) and is reliant on his heavy hands and feet to create movement in the run game. At times, that leads to moments of overextension and oversetting when he's trying to reach high-side rushers. Ideally, the Pats would pair Campbell with a wider, power-oriented guard so they can mask each other's weaknesses. Bisontis is one of the top day-two guard prospects, but might not have the body type that would pair best with Campbell. That said, you'd also understand not overthinking Bisontis, who will likely start early in his NFL career.

T/G Gennings Dunker, Iowa (Consensus Ranking: 51)

The NFL Network crew made a big deal about Dunker's glorious mullet, and it is a great head of hair, but Dunker has the traits to join the highly successful tackle-to-guard pipeline. Dunker is a bit stiff and doesn't have the foot speed to stick at tackle in the pros, and you saw that in his drill work, but his movement issues should be better managed inside at guard. Dunker has knock-back power, heavy hands (popped the blocking pad multiple times during drill work), a stout anchor, and is a nasty finisher, which screams guard.

Another pro about moving Dunker inside is that he'll be a huge left guard, with a 92nd percentile wingspan (82 ⅛") at 6-5, 319 pounds. His rugged play style and wide body would pair well with Campbell. Athletically, switching his position to guard would give him an elite 9.65 out of 10 relative athletic score, and he also killed the agility drills (class-best 4.63s short shuttle), which are good indicators of NFL success. From a testing standpoint, Dunker has a similar athletic profile to fellow Iowa alum Brandon Scherff, who had a great NFL career after moving from tackle to guard.

T/G Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern (Consensus Ranking: 65)

Along with Dunker, Tiernan is another college tackle who could move inside to guard at the next level. The Northwestern product measured in with 32 ¼" arms and a 79.5" wingspan at the combine, which puts him below the tackle threshold. Although he didn't run the 40-yard dash, Tiernan's jumps were great (35.5" vert, 98th percentile at OG) and he looked good going through drill work. On film, Tiernan looks like a refined prospect with smooth footwork, a stout anchor, and great hand-fighting skill. His measurables might not allow him to stick at tackle, but he could probably play tackle in a pinch or be a starting guard. Tiernan could be a day-two target for the Patriots as a possible tackle-guard flex who could settle at left guard.

OG Jalen Farmer, Kentucky (Consensus Ranking: 147)

As a two-year starter at right guard, Farmer was a little shaky at the Senior Bowl last month. However, he delivered a solid showing at the combine with a 9.69 out of 10 relative athletic score to go along with a power-oriented playing style. In Mobile, he appeared to have some issues with movement blocks and protecting his edges, but a solid athletic profile will garner a closer look. His play strength and athleticism seem like fits for the Patriots at either guard spot, displaying people-moving strength on double teams against NFL-caliber competition.

OT Jude Bowry, Boston College (Consensus Ranking: 151)

At some point, the Patriots are going to tap into the O'Brien-Vrabel relationship to draft a Boston College prospect, so we'll shoot our shot with Bowry. At 6-5, 314 pounds with 33.75-inch arms, Bowry has the requisite size and athleticism to push for a top backup or swing tackle role. A left tackle at Boston College, Bowry posted a 9.37 out of 10 relative athletic score. His elite explosion grades (34.5" vert) show up on film in how he fires out of his stance and his ability to reach landmarks with good range at tackle. Like last offseason, I'm sure we'll see the Patriots represented at Boston College's Pro Day to check out Bowry.

OT Markel Bell, Miami (Consensus Ranking: 160)

If we're talking developmental tackle projects, why not take a chance on a 6-9, 346-pound prospect who profiles like a right tackle in the Patriots system? The Trent Brown comparisons are easy because of his size, but there are also similarities: hulking tackles with light feet who play to their strengths. Bell only ran the 40-yard dash and clocked a 1.84s 10-yard split, which only landed him in the 22nd percentile. But you saw his ability to get out of his stance quickly and burst into his movement blocks in his drill work. Bell will need to work around limited athleticism and manage his play speed, but there's nothing wrong with betting on size.

OG DJ Campbell, Texas (Consensus Ranking: 172)

After an impressive on-field workout, I'm adding Campbell to my list as a potential day-three fit at guard. The Texas product started three seasons at right guard in college and posted an impressive 8.49 out of 10 relative athletic score, showing off better athleticism than expected. Campbell had some issues with body control and sustaining blocks at Texas, but he has noticeable power that would fit a downhill run scheme. Campbell has elite length (34.25" arms), is a wide body (82 1/8" wingspan), and brings good functional strength to an O-Line room. Maybe a late-round flier to add depth at guard.

OT Aamil Wagner, Notre Dame (Consensus Ranking: 173)

Wagner is an interesting day-three tackle prospect who was a team captain and two-year starter at right tackle for the Irish. Wagner plays with an upright playing style, but he has NFL-caliber power, length (34.5" arms), and checked the athleticism box with an 8.92 out of 10 relative athletic score. There's enough there to project Wagner into a swing tackle role as a high-level backup if he can improve his footwork and pad level to be more consistent with his technique.

OG Micah Morris, Georgia (Consensus Ranking: 333)

Okay, now we're getting super deep into day three. However, the Georgia left guard will likely receive draftable grades now after he posted an elite 9.98 out of 10 relative athletic score, the fifth-best mark by an offensive guard in combine history out of 1,748 prospects. Morse has the baseline power and athleticism to make an NFL roster, but needs to work on his technique (high pads) to hit his ceiling. Still, taking late-round fliers on 6-5, 334-pound guards with excellent athletic profiles is what day three is all about.

DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer