Patriots tackle options emerge after NFL roster cuts

The New England Patriots aren't going to find a good starting tackle outside the organization at this point. But they can use all the help they can get.

In the wake of NFL teams cutting their rosters down to 53 players, a number of offensive tackles have hit either the waiver wire or, if they're a vested veteran with four or more years in the league, unrestricted free agency. Most of them would be pure flyers, like Vederian Lowe and Tyrone Wheatley Jr. were a year ago. But Lowe emerged over the summer of 2024 as the team's starting left tackle. Even if he's not a particularly good one, you never know what a new addition could contribute.

And if anything, the Pats need depth at tackle, especially if they're going to settle on Mike Onwenu at right guard. They released Calvin Anderson as part of their final roster cuts, leaving Lowe, Chukwuma Okorafor, and rookie Caedan Wallace as the only pure tackles on the roster. So, it wouldn't be surprising if the Patriots turn to waivers or free agency to bring someone in to fortify that depth chart.

MORE: Meet the Patriots' initial 53-man roster for 2024

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has brought up the waiver wire as an option for adding to the roster, but won't make any promises.

"I don't want to overshoot anything as far as the waiver wire," Mayo said Monday. "We're always looking for ways to improve the roster. I would say between Eliot and myself, we're on the same page, whether it's through trades, the waiver wire, whatever else it is, getting the guy off the street, we're just always in the mindset of, ‘How do we get this roster better, and how do we continue to improve as a team going forward?’"

A few intriguing tackle options have popped up over the past 24 hours for the Patriots. Here's a quick look at some tackles that would make sense to bring in...

Christian is practically a no-brainer for the Patriots. He started nine games for Alex Van Pelt's Cleveland Browns in 2023, and at left tackle. He's a six-year veteran of the league and is still just 27 years old.

Since Christian has enough experience, he's a free agent and does not require waivers. So, the Pats could simply sign him right off the street.

Realistically, Christian wouldn't make a big difference for a Patriots team in desperate need of stability at the tackle position. But of everyone who just became available, Christian has the best chance.

Hubbard most recently played right tackle for the Tennessee Titans, but played for the Browns under Van Pelt from 2020-22. That includes five games at left tackle. He may not be an answer as far as a starting LT for 2024, but Hubbard at least has familiarity with Van Pelt and experience at that spot. He's relatively old at 33, but he'd be an affordable free-agent signing.

Curhan has played only three years in the NFL, making him a waiver claim. But at 26 years old, with good left tackle measurables (6-foot-6, 316 pounds, 33 1/2-inch arms), perhaps there is still something worth developing with him. He wasn't going to play left tackle in Seattle, with 2022 first-round pick Charles Cross locking down that spot. But he's played two games at LT and has experience at every spot but center.

Patriots fans these days are left longing for the days of Trent Brown. Jones would spark some of that nostalgia, because he's a big boy at 6-foot-9 and 370 pounds. An undrafted free agent from the class of 2022, Jones was active for only one game for the Packers in 2023, and didn't play a snap, and will now hit the waiver wire. But if any team should consider taking a chance on Jones off the waiver wire, it's the Patriots.

Ifedi, 30, is another player who may simply be falling victim to Father Time at this stage of his career. He last played in the NFL in 2022 for the Atlanta Falcons, but he did play left tackle ... for eight snaps. It's a longshot that Ifedi would help the Patriots in a meaningful way, but that's the state the team is in at the moment.

Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.