The New England Patriots and Mike Vrabel need to have a top 2026 offseason in Phase II of their rebuild. They'll have to if they're going to meet the challenge of the tougher schedule as the AFC East title winners. One area of paramount importance to upgrade is the offensive line. An ESPN analyst sees the team addressing the O-line with a hybrid tackle/guard at No. 31 with their first-round pick.
Spending a first-round pick on a player who may be projected to guard in the NFL is seldom a great idea. Guards are commodities that can be acquired in later rounds in the draft, e.