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Teams in search of a franchise left tackle were dealt a major blow when it was announced on Saturday that the Baltimore Ravens had extended Ronnie Stanley on a three-year, $60 million deal.
The two-time Pro Bowler was widely considered to be the best offensive tackle on the market, forcing teams looking to rebuild their offensive line to pivot to other options.
One of those teams in the New England Patriots, which has a clear obligation to do a better job protecting second-year quarterback Drake Maye. The team allowed the fifth-most sacks in the NFL, and though they have rumored interest in using the fourth overall selection on Louisiana State University Tiger tackle Will Campbell, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has them connected to another free-agent offensive lineman.
“The scarcity of capable left tackles on the market will enhance the value of Dan Moore, who is 26 and has four years of starter’s experience,” wrote Fowler. “The Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots are on the hunt for tackle help and could get involved here.”
A fourth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021, Moore has started at least 16 games in each of his four NFL seasons, but his struggles down the stretch in 2024 (10 sacks allowed from Week 10 on) not only played a part in the Steelers collapse but also hurt his free agent value. Still, Moore has been solid for much of his Steelers tenure, and his relative youth compared to other free-agent tackles could intrigue a team like the Patriots, who are looking for a long-term solution as they continue their rebuild.