5 things to know about new 49ers OL Vederian Lowe

The San Francisco 49ers added some needed depth -- and perhaps more -- to their offensive line on Monday by agreeing to terms on a two-year contract with 26-year-old offensive tackle Vederian Lowe worth up to $12 million.

Lowe (6-5, 315) will be making the move to the 49ers from the New England Patriots, where he developed into a key component of their offensive line. He could fill a role as a backup or starter for the 49ers, and maybe he might wind up catching a pass as well. Let's take a look at some things to know about Lowe as he makes his way to the Bay.

Gradual climb to NFL success

Lowe's NFL career started somewhat slowly as a sixth-round selection of the Minnesota Vikings in the 2022 NFL Draft. He played in four games with the Vikings before being traded to New England in 2023.

Lowe eventually found himself a role as both a spot starter and a full-time starter during his time with the Patriots. He started eight of the 11 games he played in 2023 and 13 of 14 in 2024, later revealing that he played much of the 2024 season injured after sustaining a torn labrum in the Patriots' Week 8 game against the New York Jets.

"I had a torn labrum from last year that I played with," Lowe said in 2025, per MassLive.com. "It was just rough trying to finish the year out. I got surgery. My first offseason dealing with a major injury, trying to get myself back. I was proud of getting myself back, being able to be productive, and securing a spot here."

In 2025, Lowe played in all 17 games, starting four. Lowe improved over the course of his time with the Patriots and drew some praise for his performance as a spot starter in the absence of rookie Will Campbell in 2025. He finished the season with a 61.4 grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranked him 63rd out of 89 players at his position. PFF also graded Lowe with a pass blocking score of 67.1 and a run blocking score of 56.8. In 317 snaps played, Lowe allowed one sack while committing two penalties.

Lowe also played one special teams snap for the Patriots in their Super Bowl loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Lowe's place on the 49ers:

In an ideal world, the 49ers will work things out with Trent Williams, whose fate remains unknown as the two sides try to hammer out contractual issues. Things have gotten to the point where the 49ers may be open to moving on from Williams via trade.

If Williams stays, one would have to think the tackle position would seem relatively set, at least in terms of free agency. Williams and Colton McKivitz would return as the starters, while Lowe would factor in as a swing tackle. The 49ers also re-signed Austen Pleasants, who saw snaps in 15 games last season and filled in at tackle late in the season when Williams sustained a hamstring injury.

If Williams leaves, the 49ers would certainly increase their efforts to find help at tackle, even if Lowe is a candidate to start. Some have also projected the team to address the position early in the NFL Draft.

Offensive option?

In 2024, Lowe found himself on the receiving end of a four-yard touchdown in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams. It was certainly unexpected given the fact that Lowe had never caught a touchdown in his football career at any point.

"I've never caught a touchdown ever, at any level of football that I've ever played," Lowe said, per Boston.com. "But it's always been a dream of mine since I was a little kid."

Could it happen again with the 49ers? It's unlikely, but it's good to know he can make it happen if the 49ers ever decide to throw in his direction.

"I always thought I could play tight end growing up, and I always thought I had fairly great hands," Lowe said in 2024. "I always talk stuff with the O-line, saying, 'I've got the best hands on the O-line.' I've been waiting for a moment like this, and I'm just glad when the play got called, everybody executed, and we scored a touchdown."

A successful, record-setting college career

Lowe made 52 total starts at tackle in college at the University of Illinois, which was good for a school record. He saw seven starts as a freshman in 2017, then became a full-time starter in 2018 and 2019. Lowe won All-Big Ten Honorable Mention during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, then chose to use his extra year of eligibility and return for the 2021 season, where he earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention again.

At the NFL Scouting Combine in 2021, Lowe ran the 40-yard dash in 5.22 seconds, with a 10-yard split of 1.78 seconds. He posted a 7.83-second mark in the 3-Cone Drill and a 4.71-second time in the 20-yard shuttle, while jumping 25.5 inches in the vertical jump and 8-feet-3-inches in the broad jump.

Multitasking

Lowe became a father at age 19, not long after meeting his future wife, Haylee. Lowe was a bit overwhelmed at the thought of becoming a father at first, but it helped him grow up and refocus quickly — and it was only the beginning of what he would take on during his college years.

Lowe's wife gave birth to a second son while he was at Illinois, and along the way, the couple decided to adopt Lowe's brother, Vydalis, after the unexpected passing of their mother, Veneka.

"I was just 12 years old when he called me and told me our mom passed," Lowe told the NFL Network. "She passed away from an enlarged heart. It was something that was just so sudden and it came out of the blue like nobody was expecting anything. To hear Vydalis break down on the phone like that, in that moment, I needed to be there for my brother. We made the decision to adopt Vydalis in July of 2020."

Despite having to deal with a full house as a college student and football player, Lowe juggled everything perfectly. In 2021, Lowe was recognized by being named a semifinalist for the annual Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, given annually to the player who demonstrates leadership, courage, integrity, and sportsmanship both on and off the football field.

"V never asked for one moment away from football," Illinois head coach Bret Bielema told the NFL Network. "He never asked to get out of one meeting. All we tried to do with him is project our plan and give it to him a little bit early. It never (took) away from what he was trying to accomplish on the football field."