Entering his first full season with the Patriots, Ben Brown has grown into an integral part of the Patriots’ offensive line.
Entering his first full season with the Patriots, Ben Brown has grown into an integral part of the Patriots’ offensive line.John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
FOXBOROUGH — Ben Brown has three words to describe the path he took to New England last fall.
“It was insane,” the offensive lineman said with a laugh, recalling a five-day stretch during which he was plucked off the Raiders’ practice squad and ended up the starting center for Drake Maye’s NFL starting debut against the Texans.
“I was just so extremely blessed to be able to have that opportunity, because not a lot of people are able to have an opportunity like I had last year,” recalled Brown. “That was a huge blessing to be able to take advantage of that.
“But that’s the past, and now I’ve got to prove myself here every day and show my value to this football team.”
Ten months later, the 27-year-old has gotten his feet underneath him in Foxborough. Entering his first full season with the Patriots, he’s grown into an integral part of the offensive line. The 6-foot-5-inch Brown, who started 10 games for New England last season at center, has shown versatility this summer, flipping from left guard to center and back again as he vies with Jared Wilson, Cole Strange, and Caedan Wallace for snaps.
“Ben’s continued to improve,” said coach Mike Vrabel. “Ben got us going in the run game there early [on Saturday against the Vikings]. I thought he did OK. It wasn’t perfect, but Ben finishes, and he’s firm. We’re going to continue to coach all these guys, whether it’s Jared or Ben or Caedan, about staying inside out and being patient in their set and timing their punch.”
Brown started the summer as the primary backup to newly acquired veteran center Garrett Bradbury, but after Wilson went down during joint practices with the Vikings last week, Brown moved adroitly to left guard, picking up reps while appearing to secure a spot ahead of Strange on the depth chart.
With the left guard and backup center roles up for grabs, that sort of versatility speaks well of Brown’s chances of not only making the roster but flourishing.
“It was fun to be able to play another position other than center,” said Brown, who played some guard at Mississippi. “I think I still have some things to work on, technique-wise and assignment-wise and everything. But it was nice to be able to get those reps.
“I’d say the footwork is a little bit different. The movement is a little bit different as well, as opposed to center. Everything’s just slightly different, but I was very grateful to get the reps.”
As offensive linemen who have done the most ping-ponging between left guard and center, this summer, Brown and Wilson have established a bond.
“He’s just very smart. He’s very strong. He’s very athletic. He’s fast, too,” Brown said of the 6-3, 310-pound Wilson. “He’s got all the traits that you would look for in an offensive lineman. He’s a great player.”
“It’s been great,” Wilson said of working with Brown. “I wouldn’t say me and him are kind of similar to what we’re going through. But, like, him being a center, then going to guard, and then me being center going to guard as well, we just talk about how difficult the transition is, and how it’s so much different.”
Ben Brown started 10 games at center last season for the Patriots, including Drake Maye's NFL starting debut against the Texans.
Ben Brown started 10 games at center last season for the Patriots, including Drake Maye's NFL starting debut against the Texans.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Brown also has been getting tips from Bradbury.
“Garrett’s been great,” he said. “Garrett’s just been playing a long time at a high level. He’s a great player, but he’s also a great friend, too. He’s someone who I can rely on and I can ask questions about — football or life-related.”
Last season for Brown was about learning on the fly and keeping his head above water. Now that he’s established with a full offseason in New England, he has a clear idea of what he needs to work on between now and the start of the season, regardless of where he might end up playing.
“The biggest thing is just consistency,” he said. “Just being consistent with my technique, being consistent with my assignment. And just constantly stacking good plays and good days, I think is the biggest thing for me to focus on.
“Every day, we just have to go out there and do our job. That’s the most important thing. Am I doing what I can to contribute to this football team? So, that’s what we’re all focusing on right now.”
Christopher Price can be reached at christopher.price@globe.com. Follow him on Bluesky at christopherprice.bsky.social.