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Patriots Add Offensive Lineman Via Trade With Vikings

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 16: Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Walter Rouse (73) looks on during the NFL preseason game between the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings on August 16th, 2025, in Minneapolis, MN. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The trade winds are a-blowin’ in New England. After acquiring running back Corey Kiner in a trade with the Cardinals on Saturday, the team of head coach Mike Vrabel added to its offensive line depth on Sunday.

Third-year blocker Walter Rouse is joining the team from the Minnesota Vikings. According to a report by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Patriots and Vikings are exchanging sixth- and seventh-round picks for the 25-year-old.

Rouse, who stands at 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, started his five-year college career at Stanford before ending it with a one-year stint at Oklahoma. Starting a combined 52 games at left tackle, he was selected 177th overall by the Vikings in the sixth round of the NFL’s 2024 draft.

In his two seasons since then, he has seen action in eight games primarily as a right tackle. This summer, however, Minnesota opted to move him inside: all 109 of his preseason snaps in 2026 came at either left or right guard.

In New England, Rouse will slide into a backup position behind a starting group of Will Campbell, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jared Wilson, Mike Onwenu and Morgan Moses.

The Patriots will have to be blow the NFL-mandated 53-man roster limit by 6 p.m. ET on Sunday. Adding Rouse to the mix means that another player previously with the club will now have to be removed from the active roster.

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Patriots Add Offensive Lineman Via Trade With Vikings

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