How confident are you on our own Roster?

[archstanton543]

there is no "max time" a player can spend on the commissioners list... The length of stay on the list is at the commissioners discretion... so a suspension, could be, in fact, coming.

not saying it will happen. But it is still on the table.

What is the NFL commissioner's exempt list? Who is on it?

In October 2024, the Patriots' Jabrill Peppers and Jaguars' Tashaun Gipson landed on the NFL commissioner's exempt list. What does that entail?

www.espn.com

What is the Reserve/Commissioner Exempt List?

For what he's accused of (and acquitted for) he's served the exact amount of time other players with similar domestic violence issues and was let off the list. Since he's clear of the charges, there's nothing to suspend him over.

It's not on the table. Maybe back in the Dynasty Era the League would have suspended him just to stick it to the Pats but we're way past that now.

 

[lancerman]

I think we might do better by signing solid depth pieces as opposed to few playmakers as they can just target the weak links.

I agree with this. The Patriots need a level competency across the board and need to be able to have back up plans. If a big swing presents itself, fine. But they have too many holes to bet the farm on one impact player.

 

[Pape]

The state of our roster

QB: Good with Maye. Need a back up not named Jacoby Brissette

LT: Desperation time here. Should be our first priority in the Draft. The Highest Priority
LG: Cole Strange. He has issues, but he is a starting caliber Guard. Probably a middle of the pack guy, but eh,
C: David Andrews/Jake Andrews - time to see if DA has anything left/Time to see if JA has anything... Should be high on the Priority List
RG: Mike Onwenu is over paid, but, he can play the position. Low on the priority list
RT: Need a Starting caliber RT. High Priority

WR: A veteran like Cooper Kupp should be a priority target in FA. Be better off trading for him than waiting til the rams cut him. Secure his services that way. Middle to High Priority
TE: Resign Austin and I'm good here. Room needs to be upgraded, but low priority.

DL: Need a run stuffer. High Priority
DE/ED: Need talent on the edge to pair with Keion White. High Priority
LB: The loss of Bentley exposed the LBs. High Priority

CB: Gonzo needs a buddy. But eh, Low Priority.
S: Peppers in limbo until the NFL makes its ruling. Both FS and SS need to be upgraded... Middle to High Priority

Kicker: Can do better than Slye. Time for a new kicker. End of the draft/Undrafted good enough
Punter: all set. Lowest priority we have.

 

[Pape]

For what he's accused of (and acquitted for) he's served the exact amount of time other players with similar domestic violence issues and was let off the list. Since he's clear of the charges, there's nothing to suspend him over.

It's not on the table. Maybe back in the Dynasty Era the League would have suspended him just to stick it to the Pats but we're way past that now.

******** answer. There is no max time on the list.

and until the NFL clears him, suspension is always on the table.

 

[Real fan 02]

Pretty straightforward question here, as we edge the offseason for real (is there a game this weekend? I dont know). This focus more inward than for the FA market/draft

How you would rate our roster, maybe divided by positions/groupings? Are you satisfied with any position group in particular (meaning, are they good to go for 2026 as they are?)

Could be fun meter to assess our team and talk a bit about players without much weight. I will post my breakdown in a future post too if anyone's interested

As we all know.. the roster of course needs upgrades at OL, WR, DL, LB. Last seasons debacle made the situation look worse than it really is. We have a premium veteran coaching staff now. I fully expect the current players on the roster, and the potential FAs to all have the benefit of great coaching. I'm satisfied with our safeties as fully healthy and under Vrabel. peppers and Dugger will play up to thier potential.

 

[archstanton543]

******** answer. There is no max time on the list.

and until the NFL clears him, suspension is always on the table.

Yeah, I mean, it's unlikely that a Texas-sized asteroid could hit the planet and destroy all life on it but it's on the table.

 

[Real fan 02]

The state of our roster

QB: Good with Maye. Need a back up not names Jacoby Brissette

LT: Desperation time here. Should be our first priority in the Draft. The Highest Priority
LG: Cole Strange. He has issues, but he is a starting caliber Guard. Probably a middle of the pack guy, but eh,
C: David Andrews/Jake Andrews - time to see if DA has anything left/Time to see if JA has anything... Should be high on the Priority List
RG: Mike Onwenu is over paid, but, he can play the position. Low on the priority list
RT: Need a Starting caliber RT. High Priority

WR: A veteran like Cooper Kupp should be a priority target in FA. Be better off trading for him than waiting til the rams cut him. Secure his services that way. Middle to High Priority
TE: Resign Austin and I'm good here. Room needs to be upgraded, but low priority.

DL: Need a run stuffer. High Priority
DE/ED: Need talent on the edge to pair with Keion White. High Priority
LB: The loss of Bentley exposed the LBs. High Priority

CB: Gonzo needs a buddy. But eh, Low Priority.
S: Peppers in limbo until the NFL makes its ruling. Both FS and SS need to be upgraded... Middle to High Priority

Kicker: Can do better than Slye. Time for a new kicker. End of the draft/Undrafted good enough
Punter: all set. Lowest priority we have.

Great stuff Pape! Hard to add anything to that post. On our guy peppers.. I think he may be good to go.. but as u perfectly said who knows with the NFL..

 

[Pape]

Great stuff Pape! Hard to add anything to that post. On our guy peppers.. I think he may be good to go.. but as u perfectly said who knows with the NFL..

we dont know about peppers. The NFL has not ruled on his case. Maybe nothing happens. Maybe he gets time served. We don't know until the NFL has its say. and as you say, who knows with the NFL

 

[Pape]

Yeah, I mean, it's unlikely that a Texas-sized asteroid could hit the planet and destroy all life on it but it's on the table.

whats more likely?

The NFL ****ing up something simple or the dumb ass thing you said?

 

[Real fan 02]

we dont know about peppers. The NFL has not ruled on his case. Maybe nothing happens. Maybe he gets time served. We don't know until the NFL has its say. and as you say, who knows with the NFL

Last I saw on it.. he has already served 7 of the required 6 games per the NFL required suspension. Obviously I'm not a lawyer so who knows really...what the NFL will do in addition. However he got vindicated so... I just want my guy back healthy, fully engaged and playing like the peppers we all love on the field.

 

[jlu52]

Last I saw on it.. he has already served 7 of the required 6 games per the NFL required suspension. Obviously I'm not a lawyer so who knows really...what the NFL will do in addition. However he got vindicated so... I just want my guy back healthy, fully engaged and playing like the peppers we all love on the field.

While I like your post, I am gun shy in this matter. Good ol' clown Commish gets to do what he wants, Brady got 4 games for nothing, and Scatback endorsed it. i'm with Pape, it ain't over until it's over (thanks, Yogi).

 

[Bill Lee]

The state of our roster

Thanks for the analysis.
I surmise you aren't confident in our roster, and I agree.
We need lots and lots of pieces in lots of lots of places.
All levels from starter to backup to developmental player.
The front office has a lot of work on its hands.
More than one off-season's work, even if they nail every pick.
FA just won't have enough talent to fill in all the holes, IMO.

 

[archstanton543]

whats more likely?

The NFL ****ing up something simple or the dumb ass thing you said?

That's your opinion.

I could have said, it's unlikely that I'll hit the lottery tomorrow, but it's on the table.

Saying something that has a very very low chance of happening is "on the table" is the height of dumbassery.

 

[Pape]

That's your opinion.

I could have said, it's unlikely that I'll hit the lottery tomorrow, but it's on the table.

Saying something that has a very very low chance of happening is "on the table" is the height of dumbassery.

you've been wrong since you stated he reached the max amount of time on the exempt list. And you know thats not true. then you doubled down.

so slow your roll before mentioning dumbassery

Too ignorant to admit you are wrong.

 

[mgteich]

Obviously, no one should be confident in our roster as of now. We will add 6-8 starting level free agents, a top draftee, and some backups. THEN, we will know better. For now, I am fine, given that we will add the players.
==========
OFFENSE
We need a LT, RT, #2 TE, #2/3 RB, WR, and a backup QB

DEFENSE
We need a DT, DE, EDGE, ILB, CB, S

ST
We need a kicker
============
Our first step is to decide on our own free agents, especially Hooper, Jon Jones, Austin, Elliss and Wise.

 

[Ring 6]

I think the best way to look at it is where would the players we have fit on a contending team.

Qb. Maye - we’ve got the right one.
Milton could develop should be qb3 with a chance to earn qb2
Given the cap space we have and krafts long standing reluctance to dorms cash as the level other teams do, I think it’s safe to say we will sign a vet backup QB because that will be 1:1 Cap to cash

Rb Stevenson and Gibson are RBs you can win with if the OL is average or better.
We need a 3rd down specialist, OR a RB2 to replace Gibson and make him 3rd down back.

WR Douglass is WR3.
Boutte is a WR4.
No one else should be counted on as a contributor on a contender.
Polk could be kept around hoping he gets his head out of his @ss, but there isn’t much room on a roster for a WR who can’t contribute

TE Henry is fine.
Need a TE2. Depending upon how WR is filled out we either need a big quality contributor or a bit piece because TE2 will be de-emphasized.

OT We have nothing of NFL quality. Given Wallace’s draft slot (and pre draft rating on the same area) he should be kept around in hopes he develops. Ideally OT4 but could be OT3.

OG Onwenu is starting caliber but should not be our best OL. If Strangevus at LG we are good at this spot but need depth. Robinson is a long shot to be even backup quality. If Strange ends up at C we need a starter and a backup.

C I think Strange ends up at G. Andre’s may have a season left as a capable, mediocre C. We have no one else that is NFL caliber.

Offense needs a free agent spree.

 

[mgteich]

Thanks for the analysis.
I surmise you aren't confident in our roster, and I agree.
We need lots and lots of pieces in lots of lots of places.
All levels from starter to backup to developmental player.
The front office has a lot of work on its hands.
More than one off-season's work, even if they nail every pick.
FA just won't have enough talent to fill in all the holes, IMO.

I think that we can a have a roster that can compete for the playoffs if we hit on the key acquisitions.

I presume that we will re-sign most of our own: Hooper, Wise, Pharms, Elliss, Jon Jones and Austin.

And, of course, there will also be the lower-level signings such as QB3, RB3, K and perhaps a backup DB.

OFFENSE (3)
In free agency, we need to sign a starting LT, RT and to acquire a receiver. I also expect a developmental OT in the 3rd.

DEFENSE (4)
We need DT, EDGE another front 7 defender and a DB. One of these will be our first draft pick.

 

[Hyped]

RIght now? OK, a run down:

QB: I am happy with Maye. Just need to figure out what to do with Milton...and add a vet to the QB room if we move Milton.

RB: I am OK with Rham, but would like to see less tolerance for his fumbles. Am happy with Gibson. Need a big back to fill the depth chart...Hasty was decent last year in spurts though. Why don't we bring back Kevin Harris?

TE: I am OK with Henry. Think we should resign Hooper if he won't break the bank. And would like to see more from Bell this season.

WR: I am OK with Pop Douglas and Kayshon Boutte. Want to see A LOT more from Polk....and ANYTHING from Baker. I'd like to push all of these guys down the depth chart with 2 elite/near elite WR's. Ideally, Pop would still be in the slot...and Boutte would be our #4 WR coming in when we go to 4/5 WR formations.

OL: I am OK with Onwenu at RG....but am OK with using him at LT/RT as needed....but that wouldn't be ideal. Center? I think Andrews has another season in the tank....BUT if Strange beats him out....maybe Andrews can go to LG. As for Strange...I'd be OK with him at C/LG. Following that....I think Layden Robinson can improve somewhat.... I absolutely want to see Caden Wallace win the RT job or at least see a year 2 leap. I am good with Brown/Jacobs/Lowe as depth pieces or putting them on the PS.

DL: Godchaux and Barmore are good in my book. Hopefully, Barmore doesn't have a blood clot set back in 2025. Beyond them....Ekuale is okay I guess....

DL/Edge: I think Wise's time is over in Foxboro....but would welcome him back on a team friendly deal. Keon white needs to be A LOT better...it will be year 3 for him. And we absolutely need a pass rusher or two.....I'd even consider Judon if he wanted to come back on a friendly deal. Abdul Carter would be nice here....

LB: I am OK with Bentley and Tavai...thought Elliss wasn't terrible in 2024. But more depth here is needed....wouldn't be surprised of Vrabel drafted that OSU Linebacker....

Secondary: We need a #2 corner opposite Gonz. Think Jon Jones' time is done here unless he moves to safety and agrees to a team friendly deal. Dugger needs to be a lot better....think he was hurt last year. Marcus Jones should be our new slot CB. Mapu needs to step up big time too...it will be year 3 for him too. And I like Alex Austin. Travis Hunter would be amazing here.

ST units: Cardona is fine by me...technically our longest tenured guy. I love Barringer.... and we need a new kicker that can beat out Syle.

Overall: I am OK with where we are at now....with 95% of these guys under contract already...and us having the most cap space in the league. But not confident in this roster to win 7+ games.... however I think we already have a lot of depth...just need to get some top level elite players to push all of these guys down the depth chart.

 

[Real fan 02]

While I like your post, I am gun shy in this matter. Good ol' clown Commish gets to do what he wants, Brady got 4 games for nothing, and Scatback endorsed it. i'm with Pape, it ain't over until it's over (thanks, Yogi).

Oh definitely I agree with you and Pape as I mentioned. Your right on brady.. the NFL wasted money on a BS investigation that had never ever been done before in league history. We'll see how it goes.. I hope they don't punish the guy a second time especially after been cleared legally.

 

[Real fan 02]

Thanks for the analysis.
I surmise you aren't confident in our roster, and I agree.
We need lots and lots of pieces in lots of lots of places.
All levels from starter to backup to developmental player.
The front office has a lot of work on its hands.
More than one off-season's work, even if they nail every pick.
FA just won't have enough talent to fill in all the holes, IMO.

With the coaching staff all around upgraded. The players that do make the roster from last season will be given top notch coaching and put in spots to succeed unlike Last season. However adding a Cooper kupp drastically helps Drake and the overall offense as a whole. Personally we've already been upgraded simply by having an offensive wizard in McDaniels.. Gibson will be more efficient and effective pop will be correctly utilizing. Everyone stands to be better on top of the players we add in the draft and FA.