The Patriots will enter summer camp after undergoing a massive roster restructuring under new Head Coach Mike Vrabel. With one of the worst rosters in the NFL, Vrabel had lots of work to do on both sides of the ball.
Vrabel took the reins in January and hasn't looked back. He hit free agency hard on offense. He added [top right tackle, Morgan Moses](https://musketfire.com/sneaky-good-free-agency-signings-put-patriots-in-good-position-ahead-of-the-draft-01jrkjtafn2y); Garrett Bradbury to man the center position; and Wes Schweitzer (who's since retired) to play guard. He also drafted three offensive linemen, including an immediate starter at left tackle, Will Campbell.
Also arriving were former Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs and big wide receiver Mack Hollins. And Vrabel continued to add talent in undrafted free agency with wide receiver Efton Chism III, as well as running back Lan Larison and tackle/guard Jack Conley. Yet, one position remains a weak link.
Mike Vrabel needs to find a left guard from among a bunch of options
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Mike Vrabel did a lot in the offseason to transform his offensive line. Yet, the one position that still represents a major uncertainty is the left guard, and it's unclear if Vrabel has anyone on hand to fill the position effectively.
Schweitzer was presumably brought in to play there as a stopgap, but he didn't make it to training camp before exiting the picture. Now, Vrabel is left with just a lot of question marks. He's well aware that everything begins and ends with the big guys upfront on offense, and he can't afford to have any weak links.
The options at his disposal include Cole Strange, a former first-round disappointment; two fourth-round picks who've also failed to produce in Sidy Sow and Layden Robinson; the mentioned Conley, or maybe even a tackle, like 2024's third-round pick, Caedan Wallace, or tackle, Marcus Bryant, a 2025 seventh-rounder.
### Mike Vrabel might have to pick a rabbit out of a hat at left guard
Vrabel's prospects at left guard aren't great. None of the veteran players has shown much of anything in their NFL careers. Rookie Conley is a big-bodied player with versatility who has played some guard as well as tackle at Boston College. It would be great if he could step up and man the position.
Another option may be 2025's [third-round draft pick, former Georgia Bulldog, Jared Wilson](https://musketfire.com/jared-wilson-was-a-mike-vrabel-guy-well-before-the-patriots-drafted-him-01jv85qt46nc). He was looked at to possibly move over from center to guard. Unfortunately, his status is uncertain, as he has missed almost all of the preliminary camps. It's a disappointment, but if he's ready for summer camp, it may provide a big boost for Vrabel.
Absent adding a veteran guard by trade or in the last stages of free agency, Vrabel will enter summer camp with a huge remaining question at left guard. His offensive line can't afford any weak links if it's going to give young quarterback Drake Maye the time he needs to succeed. Hopefully, he can find a solid guard to fill the void.
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