ESPN Thinks Patriots Would Be Perfect Destination For This Offensive Lineman

Los Angeles Rams guard Jonah Jackson is on the trade block, and ESPN thinks the New England Patriots are the perfect trade partner to give the 28-year-old a fresh start.

“Teams with fungible cap space and time to experiment on their offensive line should take a swing at Jackson, who was a good player the last time we saw him healthy,” NFL analyst Ben Solak wrote on Friday. “The Patriots, who lead the league in expected 2025 cap space and need help everywhere along the line, seem like a good candidate.”

Jackson’s 2024 season was a disaster, so it’s understandable that the Pro Bowler would seek a trade.

First, he suffered a shoulder injury in the offseason that caused him to miss most of training camp. Then, the Rams tried Jackson at center, a position he hadn’t played since college. After returning from a second injury in Week 10, Los Angeles benched him a week later.

Jackson has two years left on his contract, though his deal doesn’t include a guaranteed salary. According to Spotrac, he is set to make a base salary of $9 million in 2025 and 2026.

Before signing with the Rams, Jackson started 57 games for the Detroit Lions from 2020-23, earning a Pro Bowl berth in 2021.

If healthy, Jackson can offer high-impact run blocking in a gap running scheme, and the Patriots could certainly benefit from that with limited offensive weapons for quarterback Drake Maye.

Solak predicted that trading for Jackson would cost the Patriots a 2026 sixth-round pick, and New England would not only bolster its offensive line but also acquire a 2026 seventh-round pick.

The Patriots have the opportunity to upgrade nearly every position on the offensive line as well as transform the entire organization. Is trading for Jackson worth the risk?