Tempting as it may be, the New England Patriots should steer clear of throwing big money at two-time Pro Bowl left tackle Ronnie Stanley.
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If the front office wants to set Drake Maye up for short- and long-term success, the focus should be on another blindside protector entirely.
While a healthy Stanley ranks among the top ten at his position, betting on him to stay on the field throughout a top-of-the-market deal seems about as wise as promising Jerod Mayo Bill Belichick's job.
After all, before 2024, Stanley had never made it through an entire season healthy. And with the Baltimore Ravens expected to let their longtime left tackle hit the market, it's clear one of the best organizations in the NFL has doubts about the soon-to-be 31-year-old's ability to remain at the top of his game as he enters the back half of his career.
However, just because Stanley's expected to be available doesn't mean the Patriots should call up his agent and give him an offer he can't refuse.
Instead, Eliot Wolf, Mike Vrabel, Ryan Cowden, and the rest of New England's decision-makers need to figure out a way to lure a player with higher upside and less injury risk to Foxborough.
Enter: Alaric Jackson.
A former undrafted free agent, the 6-foot-7, 345-pounder has developed into a rock-solid left tackle for the Los Angeles Rams. Last season, Jackson earned an overall grade of 78.3 from Pro Football Focus, putting him 18th among 141 qualifying tackles.
Still just 26 years old, the Canadian native looks poised to cash in after earning just north of $6.6 million in his first four years in the league. Ranked 40th on ESPN's top 50 free agents, it's no surprise that Jackson's ideal fit is in New England.
"With his 6-7, 345-pound frame, Jackson has the play strength to anchor against power off the edge, and he understands how to win with positioning," wrote ESPN's Matt Bowen. "His experience (35 career starts) would be great in New England as the team builds up front to protect quarterback Drake Maye."
According to Spotrac, Jackson's market value checks in at $15.9 million per season. For a Patriots team that needs an established starter, that figure seems right on the money. Plus, unlike Stanley, Jackson hasn't reached his ceiling and doesn't come with the same durability concerns.
So, even though signing a two-time Pro Bowler seems like a surefire way to help your most important player, spending $20+ million per year on someone who turns 31 in March and has averaged about 11.5 games played in his nine-year NFL career is risky business.
And considering how many botched attempts the Patriots have made at shoring up one of the most critical positions, it's time to get things right by making a smart bet on a young player with untapped upside.
