Patriots, Vikings trade grades: Bill Belichick adds O-line help amid injuries, preseason concerns, per report

Hours after buying and selling operating again Pierre Strong Jr. to the Browns in alternate for offensive line help, the Patriots are again at it, obtaining backup offensive take on Vederian Lowe from the Vikings, according to the Star Tribune.

A sixth-round draft select of Minnesota in 2022, the 24-year-old Lowe will reportedly pass to New England in go back for a long term sixth-rounder. He’s the second one offensive lineman to be traded to the Patriots on Sunday, after Strong was once dealt for Tyrone Wheatley Jr., a fourth-year journeyman out of Stony Brook who were competing for a reserve position in Cleveland.

Lowe performed 140 snaps for the Vikings this preseason, per the Tribune, second-most amongst all linemen at the staff, and noticed in depth motion at left take on. His summer time performances triggered hypothesis he would possibly overtake fifth-year veteran Oli Udoh as the main swing take on at the back of starters Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill. But he struggled in move coverage throughout the preseason, consistent with Pro Football Focus, and may’ve been a reduce candidate forward of Tuesday’s cut-off date to trim rosters to 53 gamers.

The Patriots are obviously determined for any reinforcements up entrance, the place they have struggled to offer protection to quarterbacks Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe because the get started of ultimate season. The unit allowed six sacks in New England’s preseason finale, and beginning proper take on Riley Reiff, a former Viking who joined the Pats in March, is lately sidelined from follow with a leg harm. Other vets, together with Mike Onwenu, Cole Strange and Calvin Anderson, have additionally battled — or proceed to fight — accidents within the lead-up to Week 1.

Here’s how we would grade the newest trade:

Patriots: B-

Hey, it is one thing, proper? Whereas Sunday’s previous trade netted a linemen with 0 game-day enjoy, Lowe has no less than taken snaps in 4 video games, together with at left take on. There was once additionally a time this summer time he seemed poised to play a key reserve position for a Vikings staff that employs a couple of cast bookends. For a 6th, why now not? They want the entire help they may be able to get.

Vikings: C-

Recouping a 6th for a 2022 sixth-rounder is cast, taking into account Lowe will have ridden the bench all 12 months anyway. But by means of all accounts, this was once a liked locker-room story with unteachable traits at 6-foot-6 with second-level athleticism. In different phrases, Lowe presented upside at a place of significance. They should be ok with the opposite intensity items in position.