Patriots Secure Veteran Offensive Tackle in Strategic Signing
The New England Patriots have signed free-agent offensive tackle James Hudson III, Filmogaz.com reports. The move adds depth on the line and aims to address immediate roster needs.
Why the signing matters
Hudson is a candidate to serve as the team’s swing tackle. The Patriots lost backup left tackle Vederian Lowe in free agency. Veteran right tackle Morgan Moses is entering his age-35 season.
The addition lets the Patriots secure a veteran offensive tackle while they evaluate long-term solutions. Team officials still plan to pursue an offensive tackle in next month’s draft.
Hudson’s NFL résumé
Hudson entered the league as a fourth-round pick out of Cincinnati in 2021. He stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 313 pounds.
Across his career, Hudson has appeared in 60 games and started 19. He has played for the Giants and Browns.
Last season he was with New York and primarily filled in at left tackle in 11 games. In Cleveland, he made three starts during his final year there. In 2023, he logged a career-high seven starts in 16 appearances at right tackle.
Performance profile
Analytics have labeled Hudson a stronger run-blocker than pass-blocker. Pro Football Focus has graded him poorly as a pass protector for much of his career.
Last year he allowed seven pressures in just 61 pass-blocking snaps. In 2023 he posted a pressure rate above 10 percent while playing nearly half of Cleveland’s offensive snaps. Those snaps came under longtime offensive line coach Bill Callahan.
Fit on New England’s depth chart
Hudson will join Morgan Moses and starting left tackle Will Campbell on the roster. He also moves ahead of several former practice-squad linemen in camp battles.
- Morgan Moses — starting right tackle
- Will Campbell — starting left tackle
- Andrew Rupich — former practice-squad member
- Lorenz Metz — former practice-squad member
- Sebastian Gutierrez — former practice-squad member
The front office views this as a strategic signing that provides short-term insurance. Coaches will still evaluate him alongside draft additions and existing depth.
