Under New Management (Thoughts on Vrabel & Staff on FA)

[jmt57]

Depth Chart as of March 10, 2025, per OurLads
CAPS signifies player age 30 or older
Orange indicates 2025 newcomer
Blue indicates unsigned unrestricted free agent
Italics indicates RFA (Cotton) or ERFA (Austin)
Not all the designations (eg, Dobbs above Milton?) are correct, but it does give us a general status update.

Offense 11 - One RB, One TE (61%) Pos No. Player 1 No Player 2 No Player 3 No Player 4 No Player 5 LWR 84 Bourne, Kendrick U/SF HOLLINS, MACK U/Buf 82 Jackson, JaQuae SF24 RWR 9 Boutte, Kayshon 23/6 1 Polk, Ja'Lynn 24/2 SWR 3 Douglas, DeMario 23/6 6 Baker, Javon 24/4 LT 59 Lowe, Vederian T/Min 70 Wallace, Caedan 24/3 LG 69 Strange, Cole 22/1 67 Andrews, Jake 23/4 65 Robinson, Tyrese P/Min C 60 ANDREWS, DAVID CF15 77 Brown, Ben P/LV 68 Smith, Lecitus P/GB RG 71 Onwenu, Mike 20/6 64 Robinson, Layden 24/4 61 Cotton, Lester W/Mia RT MOSES, MORGAN U/NYJ 75 Jacobs, Demontrey W/Den 62 Sow, Sidy 23/4 TE 85 HENRY, HUNTER U/LAC 81 HOOPER, AUSTIN U/LV 88 Bell, Jaheim 24/7 87 Westover, Jack SF24 QB 10 Maye, Drake 24/1 DOBBS, JOSHUA U/SF 7 BRISSETT, JACOBY 16/3 19 Milton III, Joe 24/6 RB 4 Gibson, Antonio U/Was 38 Stevenson, Rhamondre 21/4 26 Jennings, Terrell CF24 39 Hasty, JaMycal W/Jax

Defense Base 3-3-5 Pos No. Player 1 No Player 2 No Player 3 No Player 4 No Player 5 DE 99 White, Keion 23/2 91 WISE JR., DEATRICH 17/4 54 Jones, Truman SF24 NT 90 Barmore, Christian 21/2 Tonga, Khyiris U/Arz 96 Johnson II, Eric W/Ind DT Williams, Milton U/Phi 98 Pharms Jr., Jeremiah SF22 95 EKUALE, DANIEL SF21 94 Roy, Jaquelin SF24 WLB Landry III, Harold CC/Ten 33 Jennings, Anfernee 20/3 93 Ximines, Oshane SF24 97 Leo, Titus P/Ind MLB 8 Bentley, Ja'Whaun 18/5 48 Tavai, Jahlani SF21 52 Jacobs, Curtis W/KC SLB Spillane, Robert U/LV 53 Elliss, Christian W/Phi 45 Rice, Monty SF24 LCB Davis, Carlton U/Det 31 JONES, JONATHAN CF16 35 Battle, Miles SF24 SS 23 Dugger, Kyle 20/2 15 Mapu, Marte 23/3 24 Pettus, Dell CF24 FS 5 Peppers, Jabrill U/NYG 21 Hawkins, Jaylinn U/LAC 41 Schooler, Brenden CF22 RCB 0 Gonzalez, Christian 23/1 28 Austin, Alex SF23 27 Dial Jr., Marcellas 24/6 NB 25 Jones, Marcus 22/3 29 Bolden, Isaiah 23/7

By comparison, here are the depth charts from the end of the 2024 season

Pos # Player 1 # Player 2 # Player 3 # Player 4 # . Offense LWR 84 Bourne, Kendrick U/SF 82 Jackson, JaQuae SF24 RWR 9 Boutte, Kayshon 23/6 1 Polk, Ja'Lynn 24/2 SWR 3 Douglas, DeMario 23/6 6 Baker, Javon 24/4 LT 59 Lowe, Vederian T/Min 70 Wallace, Caedan 24/3 LG 69 Strange, Cole 22/1 67 Andrews, Jake 23/4 65 Robinson, Tyrese P/Min C 60 ANDREWS, DAVID CF15 77 Brown, Ben P/LV 68 Smith, Lecitus P/GB RG 71 Onwenu, Mike 20/6 64 Robinson, Layden 24/4 61 Cotton, Lester W/Mia RT 75 Jacobs, Demontrey W/Den 62 Sow, Sidy 23/4 Okorafor, Chukwuma CC/Pit TE 85 HENRY, HUNTER U/LAC 81 HOOPER, AUSTIN U/LV 88 Bell, Jaheim 24/7 87 Westover, Jack SF24 QB 10 Maye, Drake 24/1 7 BRISSETT, JACOBY 16/3 19 Milton III, Joe 24/6 RB 4 Gibson, Antonio U/Was 38 Stevenson, Rhamondre 21/4 26 Jennings, Terrell CF24 39 Hasty, JaMycal W/Jax Defense DE 99 White, Keion 23/2 91 WISE JR., DEATRICH 17/4 54 Jones, Truman SF24 NT 90 Barmore, Christian 21/2 92 GODCHAUX, DAVON U/Mia 94 Roy, Jaquelin SF24 DT 95 EKUALE, DANIEL SF21 98 Pharms Jr., Jeremiah SF22 96 Johnson II, Eric W/Ind WLB 33 Jennings, Anfernee 20/3 93 Ximines, Oshane SF24 97 Leo, Titus P/Ind MLB 8 Bentley, Ja'Whaun 18/5 16 Takitaki, Sione U/Cle 52 Jacobs, Curtis W/KC SLB 53 Elliss, Christian W/Phi 48 Tavai, Jahlani SF21 45 Rice, Monty SF24 LCB 31 JONES, JONATHAN CF16 28 Austin, Alex SF23 35 Battle, Miles SF24 SS 23 Dugger, Kyle 20/2 15 Mapu, Marte 23/3 24 Pettus, Dell CF24 FS 5 Peppers, Jabrill U/NYG 21 Hawkins, Jaylinn U/LAC 41 Schooler, Brenden CF22 RCB 0 Gonzalez, Christian 23/1 27 Dial Jr., Marcellas 24/6 NB 25 Jones, Marcus 22/3 29 Bolden, Isaiah 23/7

 

[Huckleberry1]

I think Conerly or Ersery will be there at 38.

I think Conerly is going to go at the end of the first round.

 

[Brick27]

Relationships and connections matter in this league and Mayo’s circle was smaller than Vrabel’s. Players, coaches, other personnel, you name it. I’ll be nice and just leave that as one of the multitude of reasons Mayo flopped here.

It’s not like all variables were fixed this year vs. last and the only difference is Kraft/Wolf decided to be more aggressive. That is an incredibly shallow and shortsighted take.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I tend to agree with your view. But just that Mayo was a victim of his lack of experience, wolfs ineptitude in 2024 and Kraft stinginess. Unfortunately he felt the brunt of impact big time which has most probably killed coaching career as an option for him

I disagree on Wolf. He was the one who decided to hang on to the bulk of their $$$ until this year. I thought he was making the right decision then, and I think it paid off today.

 

[TommyD4207]

I think Conerly is going to go at the end of the first round.

We're going to find out, that's for sure. This is shaping up to be a doozy of a draft.

 

[Toofy]

We're going to find out, that's for sure. This is shaping up to be a doozy of a draft.

I just feel He is going to be the steal of the draft.if we can drop to say 10-15 and get an extra 2nd this year and first next year I wouldn't mind drafting him in high 15s.

 

[TheRainMaker]

They are actually going to look different on defense schematically and in personnel. It was really getting boring seeing the same “entitled” players each season.

The moves today may signal offense at #4.

 

[maust]

I think patriots fans have to credit Wolf...

My Dude, they'll be holding the Winter Olympics in Hell before that ever happens

 

[Huckleberry1]

My Dude, they'll be holding the Winter Olympics in Hell before that ever happens

I agree, but that’s on them. Wolf is the reason they had 130 million to spend.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I just feel He is going to be the steal of the draft.if we can drop to say 10-15 and get an extra 2nd this year and first next year I wouldn't mind drafting him in high 15s.

Who?

 

[maust]

I agree, but that’s on them. Wolf is the reason they had 130 million to spend.

Yep and there were a few of us who've been saying it right along. Spending too much buying a Kia doesn't make it perform like a Porsche
We were a damn small minority though

 

[Toofy]

Who?

Conerly Jr
Great measurables and still young. Max ceiling. Could turn out like Tristan wirfs in 2nd season.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Conerly Jr
Great measurables and still young. Max ceiling. Could turn out like Tristan wirfs in 2nd season.

Thanks. I like Conerly as well. I think he will be there in the 20’s. If they could pull off a Hunter/Conerly draft it would be a big step forward for their offense.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

I think patriots fans have to credit Wolf for realizing last year was a terrible free agency, focusing on re signing their own guys and jags for low money, and leaving them 130 million $$$ to play with this year. They reaped the benefits of that today.

I think the philosophy was fine in general of rolling over cap space. But they should have done better with the mid and low tier signings and the deserve criticism for that. But maybe it was more a product of them not having good coaching to make those guys look good or even experience to lure those guys in from time with them at other stops.

 

[The Gr8est]

We're going to find out, that's for sure. This is shaping up to be a doozy of a draft.

Houston will be a threat to draft him after trading Tunsil.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I think the philosophy was fine in general of rolling over cap space. But they should have done better with the mid and low tier signings and the deserve criticism for that. But maybe it was more a product of them not having good coaching to make those guys look good or even experience to lure those guys in from time with them at other stops.

I think that’s a fair criticism. They didn’t do a good job bringing in or coaching up those free agents, but it didn’t cost them anything going forward.

 

[Toofy]

Thanks. I like Conerly as well. I think he will be there in the 20’s. If they could pull off a Hunter/Conerly draft it would be a big step forward for their offense.

Vikings don't have draft capital and have just 3 picks. So they would be open to trade down if they can get few additional draft picks. I am thinking we should trade up from 2nd by offering our 3rd and maybe an additional fifth .

 

[Hawaiipatsfan2]

They need to strike gold w/LT and WR in the draft or we are in for another frustrating year with the offense.

That’s what I hate about WAS going from doom to gloom in one season. Now everyone seems to think that should be common place. No matter what we did with this roster today, and during the draft, 2025 was always going to be frustrating at times. There’s like 0.05 chance we make a run next year. The goal should never be going from bottom 5 to top 5 in a season. Personally I’d be happy with 8-8, especially if they finished the end of the season strong.

We are so far (even after today) talent wise from being a championship contender, we’d probably be best served picking in the top 10 next year anyways. This year should be about fundamentals and development. Simple eye test, stat improvements across the board stuff. Finishing top 10 in defensive and top 15 in offensive, and an improved Maye would be more than enough to make me content for 2025.

2026 and beyond should be the realistic goal.

 

[BelizePats]

I tend to agree with your view. But just that Mayo was a victim of his lack of experience, wolfs ineptitude in 2024 and Kraft stinginess. Unfortunately he felt the brunt of impact big time which has most probably killed coaching career as an option for him

It wasn't just Krafts stinginess. It was even more so his dreadful decison to give Mayo the job in the first place.
It was an unconscionable move that made zero sense. Utterly irresponsible!

 

[Gumby]

That’s what I hate about WAS going from doom to gloom in one season. Now everyone seems to think that should be common place. No matter what we did with this roster today, and during the draft, 2025 was always going to be frustrating at times. There’s like 0.05 chance we make a run next year. The goal should never be going from bottom 5 to top 5 in a season. Personally I’d be happy with 8-8, especially if they finished the end of the season strong.

We are so far (even after today) talent wise from being a championship contender, we’d probably be best served picking in the top 10 next year anyways. This year should be about fundamentals and development. Simple eye test, stat improvements across the board stuff. Finishing top 10 in defensive and top 15 in offensive, and an improved Maye would be more than enough to make me content for 2025.

2026 and beyond should be the realistic goal.

The first TB SB season’s team (2001-02) wasn’t a top 5 talent pool. But it was a top-5, and #1 group of TEAMMATES.

The two Gints teams that broke our hearts weren’t top 5 talent pools through THE ENTIRE SEASON, but they PEAKED AT RIGHT TIME.

So, my position is… don’t write the 2025 championship season off out of hand as pie in sky impossible; but yes to be satisfied with anything between 8-9 with a great trendline up to 12-5 with a disappointing end to season as reasonable expectations.