Patriots Projected To Replace Morgan Moses With 6-Foot-5, 315 Pound Draft Pick

The New England Patriots signed Morgan Moses to a three-year, $24 million deal last offseason, and the aging veteran is nearing the end of his career.

In his 12-year career, Moses has not missed many games. He has started every game for the Patriots this season and has been a steady force at right tackle. He had a stellar game against the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round.

However, Moses will turn 35 in a couple of months, and the Patriots could view this offseason as a time to start thinking about a long-term replacement. Drake Maye appears to be a franchise quarterback, and the Patriots must prioritize protecting him. Pro Football Focus’ Gordon McGuinness projected the Patriots would draft Gennings Dunker in the first-round of the 2026 NFL Draft to replace Moses eventually.

“Although Morgan Moses has been solid for the Patriots this season, he’ll be 35 years old in March,” wrote McGuinness. “New England should set out to find his long-term replacement in this draft. Dunker was better in 2024, logging an elite 90.2 PFF overall grade, but still put together a solid 2025 campaign with 75.0-plus PFF grades in pass protection and as a run blocker.”

Dunker checks in at 6-foot-5, 315 pounds. The University of Iowa product was voted First-Team All-Big Ten by the media, Second-Team All-Big Ten by the Associated Press and Third-Team All-Big Ten by coaches. He started all 12 games for Iowa at right tackle last season.

He has started 38 games in four seasons at Iowa. On the Patriots, he may not be asked to start right away, at least not at right tackle. However, he would take over for Moses should the veteran decide to retire soon.

The Patriots have other needs they could look to address in the draft as well. However, if they fill some of those needs through free agency, drafting a talented tackle who may not be a Day 1 starter would not be a poor decision.