Patriots Tackle Takes Control Of Crucial Roster Battle

Patriots Tackle Takes Control Of Crucial Roster Battle originally appeared on NESN.
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Preseason games are built for players like Marcus Bryant. The New England Patriots‘ 13-13 tie with the Indianapolis Colts will not be remembered for the final score. It might be remembered as the night Bryant established himself as the favorite for one of New England’s final offensive line spots.

The 6-foot-7, 320-pound tackle started on the left side and delivered one of the best performances by any Patriots offensive player Thursday.

Pro Football Focus gave Bryant a 79.6 overall grade, the highest among New England offensive players who logged at least 10 snaps. He also earned a team-leading 85.6 pass-blocking grade and a 73.0 mark as a run blocker.

One preseason game cannot guarantee Bryant a place on the 53-man roster. It can significantly change the way a competition is viewed, however. Bryant entered the night fighting for a job. He exited it looking like New England’s most dependable reserve left tackle.

Marcus Bryant Delivers A Clean Night

Bryant’s performance looked just as encouraging beyond the PFF grades. Patriots.com analyst Evan Lazar credited Bryant with a clean performance across 23 pass-blocking snaps. He also highlighted Bryant’s backside reach block on a 6-yard cutback run.

That is exactly what New England needed to see. Backup offensive linemen are not expected to dominate every snap. They must avoid drive-destroying mistakes, communicate properly and keep the quarterback clean when suddenly called into action.

Bryant checked those boxes against Indianapolis.

Tommy DeVito and Behren Morton combined to attempt 35 passes. The Patriots allowed only two sacks, neither of which was charged to Bryant during his work at left tackle. Bryant also demonstrated the movement skills necessary to contribute in the running game. The Patriots struggled overall, producing only 83 yards on 32 attempts, but his individual tape featured encouraging moments.

New England’s coaches now must determine whether Bryant can repeat that performance throughout the rest of the preseason. If he does, the decision might become relatively simple.

Patriots Have Invested Heavily At Tackle

Bryant’s roster status is complicated by the resources New England has poured into its offensive line. Will Campbell remains the starting left tackle after the Patriots selected him fourth overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. Veteran Morgan Moses is positioned to start on the right side.

New England then used the No. 28 overall pick in the 2026 draft on Caleb Lomu. The former Utah tackle is expected to become Moses’ eventual successor and could serve as the primary swing tackle during his rookie season. That leaves Bryant competing for a potential fourth tackle spot.

The Patriots also drafted Dametrious Crownover in the sixth round. At 6-foot-7 and approximately 319 pounds, Crownover possesses many of the same developmental traits as Bryant. New England might not have room to keep both.

The Patriots entered training camp with seven offensive linemen who appeared to be roster locks: Campbell, Moses, Lomu, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jared Wilson, Mike Onwenu and Ben Brown. If New England keeps nine offensive linemen, Bryant is competing for one of only two remaining positions. One could go to a reserve interior blocker, leaving a single place for another tackle.

Thursday’s performance gave Bryant an early advantage.

Bryant’s Versatility Could Decide Competition

Bryant’s ability to play on both sides of the line strengthens his case. He played more than 500 college snaps at both left and right tackle before the Patriots selected him with the 220th pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. Bryant received a 73.2 pass-blocking grade and a 75.6 run-blocking grade from PFF during his final season at Missouri.

New England initially used him primarily on the right side as a rookie. Bryant appeared in 12 games but played only 19 offensive snaps, all at right tackle. His role has changed during his second training camp.

When Campbell has been limited, Bryant has received first-team repetitions at left tackle. Notably, the Patriots have turned to Bryant rather than moving Lomu back to the position he played in college.

Lomu has spent much of the summer working at right tackle, suggesting New England wants him to develop behind Moses. That creates an opening for Bryant to become Campbell’s direct backup.

His preseason performance showed why coaches have trusted him there.

Bryant has the size to handle power rushers and enough experience to understand the responsibilities on both sides. That versatility is extremely valuable for a reserve lineman because NFL teams rarely activate several backup tackles on game day.

One player capable of covering both positions provides the coaching staff with considerably more flexibility.

A Starter’s Mentality Is Producing Results

Bryant recently explained that he entered his second season with a different mindset.

“Growing up and maturing is part of the game, and I feel like I took another step this year,” Bryant told Pats Pulpit during training camp.

That development was necessary after his limited rookie campaign.

Bryant spent most of 2025 contributing on field-goal protection rather than playing meaningful offensive snaps. He eventually fell behind other reserve tackles on the depth chart and did not receive an offensive snap after November.

He could have entered this summer as an afterthought.

Instead, Bryant strengthened his body, approached camp as though he were preparing to start and earned work with the first-team offense. His performance against Indianapolis validated what the Patriots had seen during practice.

Bryant no longer looks like a developmental player New England must stash based solely on size and potential.

He looks capable of helping immediately if Campbell or Moses misses time.

MORE: Clock is ‘Ticking’ on Patriots Recent Draft Pick Amid Tough Camp Showing

Marcus Bryant Has A Chance To Finish The Job

Bryant has not secured anything yet. The Patriots still have two preseason games remaining, along with several weeks of practices before the roster must be reduced to 53 players. Crownover and the other depth linemen will receive additional opportunities to close the gap.

Bryant also will face better pass rushers as the preseason progresses. Still, roster battles are often decided by which player proves most trustworthy. Bryant did not allow pressure, avoided penalties and contributed in the running game during his first major audition.

That represents an ideal opening statement.

New England did not win Thursday night, but it might have identified an important piece of its offensive line depth.

After one preseason game, Bryant is no longer merely battling for the fourth tackle position. He appears to be leading the race.

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