Meet the Newest New England Patriot: Tyrese Robinson

The carousel of offensive linemen in Foxboro this season continued on Tuesday. The New England Patriots signed Tyrese Robinson off the Minnesota Vikings practice squad. To make room for Robinson, New England is reportedly releasing offensive lineman Zach Thomas.

Robinson played collegiately for the Oklahoma Sooners. He was a three-year starter. Robinson played right guard for Oklahoma in 2019 and 2020. He shifted to right tackle for the 2021 season and earned second-team All-Big 12 honors. During his two seasons as a starting guard for the Sooners, Robinson helped block for Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson.

Despite a productive collegiate career, Tyrese Robinson was not selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Washington Commanders signed Robinson as an undrafted free agent but released him in training camp before he played in any preseason games. Robinson signed with the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad on Oct. 3, 2022, and spent the rest of the season on their practice squad.

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Philadelphia cut Robinson at the end of 2023 training camp and he spent the 2023 season on the Minnesota Vikings practice squad. The Vikings kept him though camp in 2024. Robinson was cut but re-signed to Minnesota’s practice squad. He remained there until being signed by New England on Tuesday.

Although Tyrese Robinson played tackle during his final season at Oklahoma, he projects as an offensive guard in the NFL. He has exclusively played guard during his preseason actions with the Eagles and Vikings the past two seasons.

Zach Thomas

Offensive lineman Zach Thomas is reportedly the odd-man out on the New England Patriots 53-man roster with the addition of Tyrese Robinson. New England claimed Thomas off waivers from the Los Angeles Rams on Aug. 28, 2024. Thomas played in eight games for the Patriots, mostly on special teams units. He played 84 offensive snaps this season, filling in as a mid-game injury replacement at left guard in Week 3 and left tackle in Week 6.