Patriots host former top-10 draft pick, offensive tackle on free-agent visit

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Patriots host former top-10 draft pick, offensive tackle on free-agent visit

Mark Daniels · MassLive

Thu, Mar 5, 2026 ·

2 min read

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The Patriots have kicked the tires on a once-promising tackle prospect.

According to a source, veteran tackle Jedrick Wills visited the Patriots earlier this week. The tenth overall pick in the 2020 draft, Wills missed last season due to a knee injury. The 26-year-old started 57 games at left tackle for the Cleveland Browns .

A free agent, eligible to sign immediately, Wills is expected to visit more NFL teams in the coming weeks.

There is a connection for Wills in New England , as Mike Vrabel worked with him in 2024. Vrabel worked alongside Browns offensive linemen and tight ends as a coaching and personnel consultant that season.

A National Champion and All-American at Alabama, Wills was one of the top prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft. He was the second offensive lineman selected that year. Wills started immediately for the Browns at left tackle. He started 15 games in 2020, 13 in 2021, and 17 the next season.

Wills dealt with a series of injuries after that. In 2023, he played in eight games before suffering a torn MCL that required surgery. In 2024, he played in five games due to lingering knee issues.

Wills opted to sit out the 2025 NFL season to recover fully. Now, he’s searching for a new team with the Patriots first on his list of visits.

The Patriots head into this offseason planning on keeping Will Campbell at left tackle. The team, however, is looking for ways to add depth and competition to its offensive line.

Both their backup tackles, Vederian Lowe (left tackle) and Thayer Munford (right tackle), are unrestricted free agents. At the NFL Combine, a source told MassLive that the Patriots want to bring Lowe back, but the veteran tackle has a strong market after playing well in Campbell’s four-week absence last year.

If Lowe signs elsewhere, the Patriots will need a new backup left tackle. Wills is an intriguing name — one who comes with an injury history but plenty of experience.

NFL Insider Jordan Schultz was the first to report the news of Wills visiting the Patriots. According to Schultz, the tackle will next visit the Detroit Lions .

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