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The needs along the offensive line for the New England Patriots don't end at offensive tackle. There's a real possibility the team adds interior help as well.
While the Patriots signed Garrett Bradbury to anchor the middle and extended Mike Onwenu to hold down the right guard spot last year, there’s still a clear need at left guard.
Although New England may not spend a premium pick at that spot, it’s a position worth reinforcing, especially if the goal is to build a young offensive core around Drake Maye.
This year’s draft class offers versatility, toughness and in many cases, converted offensive tackles who project best as interior players at the next level. Let’s break down the top 10 interior offensive linemen in the 2025 NFL draft class.
At 6-foot-6 and 317 pounds, Frazier brings outstanding pass protection skills to the table. He possesses good strength and anchor ability, with a wide base that makes him difficult to move. He’s patient, mirrors well and shows impressive blitz recognition and recovery. He’s a great fit for a spread offense that emphasizes protection from the interior.
His weaknesses come in the run game. He’s not as effective when asked to block in motion, and he can struggle with lateral quickness and adjusting to moving targets. Power-run or zone-heavy teams may be wary, but he has starter potential as a pass-blocking specialist in the right scheme.
Jackson has the frame, power and toughness teams covet in a starting guard. He’s a smart player with a wide base, excellent core strength and strong grip. He finishes well and can kick outside to tackle if needed. His initial punch and ability to neutralize defenders at the point of attack give him a solid foundation.
That said, his technique needs refinement. He can play too tall, has inconsistent hand placement, and his lateral agility is below average. He’s stiff moving side to side and can over-pursue in space. Still, Jackson’s versatility and football IQ give him a chance to stick as a valuable depth piece or developmental starter.
A converted wrestler with impressive anchor strength, Fairchild brings the grit and raw power you expect from a Georgia lineman. At 6-foot-5 and 318 pounds, he’s explosive through his hips, violent on contact and processes the game well. He’s excellent on screens and has the athleticism to get to the second level.
His experience against complex pressures is limited, and he can get impatient, lunging at defenders and compromising his base. He’ll need to work on consistency and hand technique, but Fairchild has upside as a high-end backup who could grow into a starter in time.
One of the smartest players in the class, Majors brings elite pass protection instincts and mental processing. At 6-foot-3 and 306 pounds, he’s not the biggest or most powerful, but he’s as reliable as they come. He understands line calls, keeps his head on a swivel and excels in identifying blitzes and redirecting protection schemes.
His lack of raw strength and shorter arms limit him against powerful interior defenders. He also lacks finishing strength, which makes him more of a technician than a mauler. Still, Majors is a potential long-term backup with a future as a coach on the field — a great addition for any quarterback.
Wilson is the top center on the board. At 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds with elite testing — 4.84 40, 32” vertical, 112” broad — he moves like a linebacker. His lateral agility, recovery and quickness allow him to climb to the second level with ease. He’s a natural processor who constantly looks for work and transitions from snap to block with no wasted motion.
His arm length and grip strength aren’t elite, which makes him vulnerable on reach blocks or against explosive interior defenders. He can get flat-footed when caught between reads, but overall, Wilson has the traits to start early and be a long-term answer at center.
Mbow plays like a wrestler — gritty, technical and tough to move. He’s got good lateral agility and finishing strength, and at 6-foot-5, 320 pounds, he has the size and versatility to fill multiple spots. He flashes advanced hand technique in pass protection and understands leverage well.
His weaknesses show up in power matchups. He can get walked back and has a tendency to duck his head on contact, which causes him to lose balance and awareness. If he tightens up his base, Mbow could develop into a quality starter at guard.
Milum is another tackle expected to move inside at the next level. At 6-foot-6 and 313 pounds, he’s powerful at the point of attack, quick off the ball and a finisher in the run game. His technique is clean, and his feet are quick enough to give him a pass-blocking advantage from the inside.
But he leans forward too much and doesn’t have much experience pulling or working in space. He’ll need reps and refinement to adjust to complex stunts and pressure looks. Still, Milum’s anchor and processing give him a great shot at being a starting guard within his first two years.
Booker is an old-school guard with new-age size and athleticism. At 6-foot-5 and 321 pounds with 34-inch arms, he brings serious power. He anchors well in pass protection and plays with aggression. He’s scheme-versatile and has the intelligence and punch to win in short spaces.
Where he struggles is recovery. If he doesn’t win with his first strike, he can be beaten by twitchy defenders. He’s not fluid in space and is best kept inside, not kicked out. Still, Booker’s upside is significant — he could develop into a tone-setter in the trenches.
Ratledge is a pure right guard and a physical specimen. At 6-foot-6 and 308 pounds with elite testing — including a sub-5.0 40-yard dash, 32” vertical and 113” broad — he’s one of the most athletic interior linemen in the class. He plays with a nasty edge, finishing in the run game and resetting quickly in pass pro.
His experience is primarily on the right side, and he may struggle to flip. He can also be overly aggressive in pass sets, which opens up inside counters. Still, Ratledge is a Day 1 starter in the NFL and one of the most pro-ready guards available.
Zabel is the most complete interior lineman in the class. At 6-foot-6 and 312 pounds, he’s played tackle throughout his career but projects best at guard in the NFL — with the added bonus of being able to swing outside in a pinch. His tape is loaded with violent strikes, elite-level processing and advanced recovery skills. He anchors well, can reset after losing a rep and his punch carries real weight behind it.
What sets Zabel apart is his combo of mobility and positional versatility. He’s started at four different spots and never looked out of place. He processes blitzes and stunts like a seasoned vet, and his finishing ability is relentless. His arm length is below average, and he can play too narrow at times, with erratic hand placement when he's too upright. But the upside and readiness are there. Zabel is my favorite interior lineman in this class.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Ranking and evaluating the top-10 interior linemen
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While the Patriots signed Garrett Bradbury to anchor the middle and extended Mike Onwenu to hold down the right guard spot last year, there’s still a clear need at left guard.
Although New England may not spend a premium pick at that spot, it’s a position worth reinforcing, especially if the goal is to build a young offensive core around Drake Maye.
This year’s draft class offers versatility, toughness and in many cases, converted offensive tackles who project best as interior players at the next level. Let’s break down the top 10 interior offensive linemen in the 2025 NFL draft class.
10. Miles Frazier, LSU (G)
At 6-foot-6 and 317 pounds, Frazier brings outstanding pass protection skills to the table. He possesses good strength and anchor ability, with a wide base that makes him difficult to move. He’s patient, mirrors well and shows impressive blitz recognition and recovery. He’s a great fit for a spread offense that emphasizes protection from the interior.
His weaknesses come in the run game. He’s not as effective when asked to block in motion, and he can struggle with lateral quickness and adjusting to moving targets. Power-run or zone-heavy teams may be wary, but he has starter potential as a pass-blocking specialist in the right scheme.
9. Donovan Jackson, Ohio State (G/T)
Jackson has the frame, power and toughness teams covet in a starting guard. He’s a smart player with a wide base, excellent core strength and strong grip. He finishes well and can kick outside to tackle if needed. His initial punch and ability to neutralize defenders at the point of attack give him a solid foundation.
That said, his technique needs refinement. He can play too tall, has inconsistent hand placement, and his lateral agility is below average. He’s stiff moving side to side and can over-pursue in space. Still, Jackson’s versatility and football IQ give him a chance to stick as a valuable depth piece or developmental starter.
8. Dylan Fairchild, Georgia (G)
A converted wrestler with impressive anchor strength, Fairchild brings the grit and raw power you expect from a Georgia lineman. At 6-foot-5 and 318 pounds, he’s explosive through his hips, violent on contact and processes the game well. He’s excellent on screens and has the athleticism to get to the second level.
His experience against complex pressures is limited, and he can get impatient, lunging at defenders and compromising his base. He’ll need to work on consistency and hand technique, but Fairchild has upside as a high-end backup who could grow into a starter in time.
7. Jake Majors, Texas (C)
One of the smartest players in the class, Majors brings elite pass protection instincts and mental processing. At 6-foot-3 and 306 pounds, he’s not the biggest or most powerful, but he’s as reliable as they come. He understands line calls, keeps his head on a swivel and excels in identifying blitzes and redirecting protection schemes.
His lack of raw strength and shorter arms limit him against powerful interior defenders. He also lacks finishing strength, which makes him more of a technician than a mauler. Still, Majors is a potential long-term backup with a future as a coach on the field — a great addition for any quarterback.
6. Jared Wilson, Georgia (C)
Wilson is the top center on the board. At 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds with elite testing — 4.84 40, 32” vertical, 112” broad — he moves like a linebacker. His lateral agility, recovery and quickness allow him to climb to the second level with ease. He’s a natural processor who constantly looks for work and transitions from snap to block with no wasted motion.
His arm length and grip strength aren’t elite, which makes him vulnerable on reach blocks or against explosive interior defenders. He can get flat-footed when caught between reads, but overall, Wilson has the traits to start early and be a long-term answer at center.
5. Marcus Mbow, Purdue (G/T)
Mbow plays like a wrestler — gritty, technical and tough to move. He’s got good lateral agility and finishing strength, and at 6-foot-5, 320 pounds, he has the size and versatility to fill multiple spots. He flashes advanced hand technique in pass protection and understands leverage well.
His weaknesses show up in power matchups. He can get walked back and has a tendency to duck his head on contact, which causes him to lose balance and awareness. If he tightens up his base, Mbow could develop into a quality starter at guard.
4. Wyatt Milum, West Virginia (G/T)
Milum is another tackle expected to move inside at the next level. At 6-foot-6 and 313 pounds, he’s powerful at the point of attack, quick off the ball and a finisher in the run game. His technique is clean, and his feet are quick enough to give him a pass-blocking advantage from the inside.
But he leans forward too much and doesn’t have much experience pulling or working in space. He’ll need reps and refinement to adjust to complex stunts and pressure looks. Still, Milum’s anchor and processing give him a great shot at being a starting guard within his first two years.
3. Tyler Booker, Alabama (G)
Booker is an old-school guard with new-age size and athleticism. At 6-foot-5 and 321 pounds with 34-inch arms, he brings serious power. He anchors well in pass protection and plays with aggression. He’s scheme-versatile and has the intelligence and punch to win in short spaces.
Where he struggles is recovery. If he doesn’t win with his first strike, he can be beaten by twitchy defenders. He’s not fluid in space and is best kept inside, not kicked out. Still, Booker’s upside is significant — he could develop into a tone-setter in the trenches.
2. Tate Ratledge, Georgia (G)
Ratledge is a pure right guard and a physical specimen. At 6-foot-6 and 308 pounds with elite testing — including a sub-5.0 40-yard dash, 32” vertical and 113” broad — he’s one of the most athletic interior linemen in the class. He plays with a nasty edge, finishing in the run game and resetting quickly in pass pro.
His experience is primarily on the right side, and he may struggle to flip. He can also be overly aggressive in pass sets, which opens up inside counters. Still, Ratledge is a Day 1 starter in the NFL and one of the most pro-ready guards available.
1. Grey Zabel, North Dakota State (G/T)
Zabel is the most complete interior lineman in the class. At 6-foot-6 and 312 pounds, he’s played tackle throughout his career but projects best at guard in the NFL — with the added bonus of being able to swing outside in a pinch. His tape is loaded with violent strikes, elite-level processing and advanced recovery skills. He anchors well, can reset after losing a rep and his punch carries real weight behind it.
What sets Zabel apart is his combo of mobility and positional versatility. He’s started at four different spots and never looked out of place. He processes blitzes and stunts like a seasoned vet, and his finishing ability is relentless. His arm length is below average, and he can play too narrow at times, with erratic hand placement when he's too upright. But the upside and readiness are there. Zabel is my favorite interior lineman in this class.
Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Ranking and evaluating the top-10 interior linemen
Continue reading...
