The Patriots career of tackle Vederian Lowe had not, in his first three seasons, been shrouded in glory. Lowe had managed to stick with the team as a depth piece on the offensive line after arriving in a training camp cutdown trade in 2023, but his opportunities have been hit-or-miss.
He played 11 games, with eight starts, in 2023. In 2024, working as part of a patchwork and overmatched offensive line, he started 13 games–and struggled in most of them. It was only this season that he revealed he had been playing through a torn labrum for most of last season, which certainly explains his struggles in pass protection and also earns him some points for toughness.
The fact that Lowe survived on the roster from last year to this year, even as coach Mike Vrabel purged many of the spots in hopes of rebuilding the team and its culture, is an indication that Vrabel liked Lowe’s approach. Still, the ideal situation was to not have to start Lowe this season, which is why Will Campbell was drafted with the No. 4 overall pick in April.
Vederian Lowe Had Solid Grade vs. Giants
Now, though, with Campbell out because of a left knee MCL injury, the Patriots had to go ahead and make Lowe the starter. On Monday night against the Giants, the reviews were very encouraging. At Pro Football Focus, Lowe graded out with a 65.7, one of the five best grades he has received in his time with the Patriots.
And if there was a fear that the Patriots line would revert back into a disaster without Campbell–and rookie left guard Jared Wilson (ankle sprain), replaced by veteran Ben Brown— those fears were quickly quelled.
Lowe credited Vrabel’s mantra of preparing like a starter for the quick success.
“Preparation throughout the week,” he said. “Coach Vrabel says that everyone can become a starter, everybody prepares like a starter, everybody lock in on the details. And definitely put our identity out there on the field. Those are the things we hang our hat on and everybody knows that. All the guys know that, no matter what.”
Patriots Coach Praises Vederian Lowe, Ben Brown
Vrabel, similarly, had high praise of the performance of the Patriots line on Monday against the Giants. The team allowed three sacks, but lost a total of six yards on those sacks–most were scramble sacks in which Maye tried to run but was brought down near the line of scrimmage.
Said Vrabel: “I thought that they were excited about playing, and I think that that is probably the thing that pleases me the most, is that they wanted it, that Vederian [Lowe] wanted to go out there, play, compete and block. And Ben [Brown] fought and battled, and I know he had a holding call, which I think was close. …
“But they were excited about playing, they were prepared and they were ready to go. So, that’s kind of what you have to do at this time of the year or any time in the National Football League, is be ready to go.”
Patriots Made Improvements With Drake Maye
Credit, too, should go to Maye, who has learned quickly to make things easy on his offensive line. One aspect of the improvement Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels stressed with Maye this season was stepping up in the pocket, rather than scrambling into trouble. Maye has followed through.
“Drake is such a great player that if you just give him the space that he needs, to step up in the pocket, he can make all the throws, he is going to make the right decision,” Lowe said. “We know if we just do our job, and give him the space and opportunity to do his, that’s all we are trying to do, give Drake the space to go out there and do his thing.”
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