It’s a new era in New England — again.

Under new coach Mike Vrabel, the Pats are again overhauling their football operations after a 4-13 season. Vrabel’s vision is now the franchise’s vision as they continue to rebuild, though the Patriots retained executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf to lead their personnel department. This offseason, the Patriots are projected to hold a league-leading $120 million in cap space, and four draft picks in the top 80, starting at No. 4 overall.

To put the Patriots back on track, the Herald is publishing a daily series with five offseason fixes that cover the draft, free agency and coaching.

First under Bill Belichick, then Eliot Wolf, the Patriots executed the same offseason strategy to fill out their offensive line.

Throw a bunch of mid-round picks and low-level veterans at the wall, and see who sticks.

No surprise, that plan failed both times.

In 2024, the Patriots rated as the NFL’s worst run-blocking team by Pro Football Focus grades and ESPN’s run-block win rate. They finished as the league’s second-worst team in pass protection by PFF grades and pass-block win rate. Their offensive tackle positions were the sorest of sore spots, two turnstile positions the Pats could never stop.

It’s time to invest. Seriously invest.

The Patriots have spent one top-100 pick on an offensive tackle since 2018, and that pick was third-round rookie Caedan Wallace, who remains a question mark after an injury-riddled 2024 season. The draft will have plenty of options at the top, even if one, or perhaps none, are viewed as can’t-miss prospects.

But before we get to the draft, the Patriots can and should stock up in free agency. Start with Ronnie Stanley Jr.

The Ravens’ starting left tackle is the only above-average player on the market who can safely be projected as a long-term starter. Stanley is in his prime, entering his age-30 season after one of the best years of his career. He stands at 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, prototypical size and pedigree as a former top-10 pick in 2016.

Stanley allowed just two sacks over almost 1,100 offensive snaps played this season, per PFF, and earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors back in 2019. At his best, Stanley belongs among the league’s best pass-protectors. He’s also routinely graded out as an average to above-average run-blocker.

Other names to know include patchwork starter Cam Robinson, Steelers late-bloomer Dan Moore and potentially Eagles guard Mekhi Becton, who entered the league as a tackle but kicked inside this season. Options after Stanley are scarce.

Back to the draft.

LSU left tackle Will Campbell is considered the top prospect in this year’s class, even with questions lingering about arm length. He allowed two sacks over 38 career starts while playing in college football’s toughest conference, especially for an offensive lineman. Campbell projects to be one of the safest picks in the draft, and went to the Patriots in the Herald’s first seven-round mock draft of the offseason.

“Campbell moves with fluidity and strength throughout his frame and projects as an immediate NFL starter at tackle, guard or even center,” wrote The Athletic draft analyst Dane Brugler.

Then there’s Kelvin Banks Jr. from Texas. A three-year starter at left tackle, he stands at 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds. Banks may be another tweener in the NFL, according to scouts.

“Banks is a really talented player who plays to his strengths and minimizes negative reps,” Brugler wrote of Banks. “Teams are split on whether he should be a tackle or a guard in the NFL, but he looks like a plug-and-play starter. While most scouts see him as a prospect who should land in the back half of Round 1, he could go higher in this class.”

Other projected Day 1 and Day 2 picks, some of whom may only be attainable if the Patriots trade back from the No. 4 overall pick or up from the second round, include Minnesota’s Aireontae Ersery (6-6, 335), Ohio State’s Josh Simmons (6-5, 310), Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr. (6-4, 315), Texas’ Cameron Williams (6-5, 335) and Purdue’s Marcus Mbow (6-5, 300).

However the Patriots choose to restock the position, double-dipping in the draft and free agency is a must.

The cupboard, as it’s been for years now, looks bare.