Are you disappointed in the opportunities to better the O line and WR that were missed bunky? Fear not if they read this thread.

[Triumph]

Stay the course.

# 4 pick for a LT. You acquire a foundation piece for the OL and get him on a rookie deal for 4 years. Do it.

Pick # 38 is used for a WR. Every single draft has stud WRs who emerge from the depths of the draft. Puka would be a 1st round pick today.

The Pats have 2 - 3rd picks # 69 and 77 to address other top needs like RB.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I would have liked to see more but im not going to panic just yet.

LT - pretty sure our first pick is going into this if hunter is not there, and i could be off but i have very little faith he will be there. Risky but we’ll just have to trust that Campbell or whoever is at least adequate. Cam Robinson is still out there too

Lg or c wherever strange isn’t playing. Still some guys out there. If/when they choose to address this they will imo, not the hardest area to fill we just haven’t put resources into it other than strange and some lower round picks. If they do decide to roll with relying on one of robinson/sow/andrews jr I would HOPE they act quick if its not working, chances are there could be some team willing to unload a bandaid like the teams chicago dealt with at both g spots, costs a 4th or less.

Wr - If we don’t land hunter a trade is still very possible. Despite the recent reports that cincy is ‘making progress’ with a new deal for tee i really don’t buy it till i see it. Obviously cincy is going to wanna make it look like things are going well otherwise it lowers his value. I could be off but my gut tells me he remains without a deal and it starts to become another leveon bell situation where they’ll pretty much have to unload him. Aiyuk is available too.

 

[Triumph]

Yes I’m disappointed. How long does it take to solve a positional problem? It’s been 5 ****ing seasons since the Pats have had any player that could qualify as close to a #1 WR.

It’s honestly impressive to be so horrible at signing or drafting a receiver for so long. Our offensive line has been trash for at least two seasons, probably three.

In the draft we basically have to pick WR/T interchangeably with our first two picks. If even one of those guys looks like he can’t be an NFL starter after next season Wolf must be fired.

If they screw up this draft the Pats wont be relevant for a decade.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Fair opinion, let me ask you this. Would you rather have Charles Cross (just an example) or whoever is at 4 for us to take. I would not make any trades til we were on the clock. If Carter is there, I am taking Carter but if Carter and Hunter are gone I am taking the proven commodity.

I am curious in your rationale?

My overall rationale is that I want them to build a team that will contend long term, imo that’s how you get multiple Lombardi’s. I don’t care about next season, other than that I want to see a noticeable improvement, hopefully one that has them in the hunt for a Wild Card spot in December. And while I’m as anxious as anyone for them to fix their LTand WR deficiencies, I don’t want them spending big money to do it while they are not a playoff team. Giving up the 4 for a player who will be an unrestricted free agent, and will require a huge contract to keep him doesn’t make sense to me, especially when they can use the 4 for a tackle they will get for 5 years on a rookie deal.

Don’t get me wrong, I want them to spend all the money they can spend to build this team, but if the choice overspending to sign ok players and have a better chance of winning more games next season, or waiting for better players next free agency, then I will take the latter. I think many of the guys left in free agency want more than they are worth, so I’m fine with the Patriots keeping more cap space to use next free agency. As I said in another post I believe Vrabel and Co. know what they are doing, and have an overall plan for how they are going to build a really good team, and I trust them to get that done.

 

[signbabybrady]

I think one may be disappointed without feeling one must be critical of what has been done. I think they did a reasonable job of taking what was there for them, given that there must be reasonable stewardship of the funds available (We have a lot of it, but not an infinite amount), given the reasonable decision to give special weight to character, and given, most importantly, what was as a matter of fact been available. It looks like a B to me, which is certainly far better than the team has done in this phase in recent years. It's unfortunate, I suppose, that a team with the breadth of needs this team has might have to draft for need, but reality does get a say in these matters, and I am sure in any case that they are on the lookout for trade options. Those who feel that if only the team is "aggressive" enough, or profligate enough in its spending, that this can result in a genuinely competitive team this year are deluding themselves, We had become in a number of important respects the worst team in the league. It takes more than a single off-season to fix a roster fallen that low.

We said that last year and proceeded to do nothing to fix it. If we do the same again we'll be 4-13 again and Mitch won't be able to stop it.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Yes I’m disappointed. How long does it take to solve a positional problem? It’s been 5 ****ing seasons since the Pats have had any player that could qualify as close to a #1 WR.

It’s honestly impressive to be so horrible at signing or drafting a receiver for so long. Our offensive line has been trash for at least two seasons, probably three.

In the draft we basically have to pick WR/T interchangeably with our first two picks. If even one of those guys looks like he can’t be an NFL starter after next season Wolf must be fired.

Who looks like they won’t be a starter after next season? If you are talking about Campbell he’s expected to be a really good OL for the next 10 years. But the expectation from most is that he will eventually be moved inside.

 

[Wozzy]

It’s not too late to fix the offensive line, if his medicals check out sign Jedrick Willis, he was a very good starter early in his career and he’s young.

Also sign Oli Udoh, he’s a full year removed from injury, is younger than the really old guys, can play tackle or guard and is undervalued.

Sign them both.

 

[Love The Drake]

It’s not too late to fix the offensive line, if his medicals check out sign Jedrick Willis, he was a very good starter early in his career and he’s young.

Also sign Oli Udoh, he’s a full year removed from injury, is younger than the really old guys, can play tackle or guard and is undervalued.

Sign them both.

I like that thinking.

 

[Real fan 02]

Um am I missing something??!? Where are the yummy goodies?!??!? Not that it’s a bad post…just missing something.

Maybe BBs girl lifting up her skirt should do..

 

[denverpatsfan]

 

[JayNM]

Good deals, and yes

 

[imahobgoblin]

Yes I’m disappointed. How long does it take to solve a positional problem? It’s been 5 ****ing seasons since the Pats have had any player that could qualify as close to a #1 WR.

It’s honestly impressive to be so horrible at signing or drafting a receiver for so long. Our offensive line has been trash for at least two seasons, probably three.

In the draft we basically have to pick WR/T interchangeably with our first two picks. If even one of those guys looks like he can’t be an NFL starter after next season Wolf must be fired.

Wow I had no idea Vrabel was the coach for five seasons. That went by really fast. You do know that the failures of the organization over the last four years are not on him? Right? Drama queens like you are ridiculous. It takes time to turn a franchise around and Free Agency just opened 3 days ago. THREE DAYS AGO. This rebuild will take years. Just stop it. Go cheer for the Jets.

 

[Username]

Trading number 4 before the pick is on the clock is lunacy. We have no idea who could be available at 4.

If, for example, two QB's go in the first 3 picks, at least one blue chip generational talent in either Hunter or Carter will be available to us. You don't trade that away.

 

[TheRainMaker]

If they screw up this draft the Pats wont be relevant for a decade.

A decade is a little excessive, but it will set them back at least 2-3 years and they will be picking again at the same spot in 2026. It is significant because if Maye is any good, it will get closer to the expiration of his contract. The last thing you want to do is waste cheap rookie years like that.

It’s honestly impressive to be so horrible at signing or drafting a receiver for so long. Our offensive line has been trash for at least two seasons, probably three.

Imagine had they hit on a couple of WR's during their 20 year run. That position has always been a weak point and they've had to resort to trades/FA signings. Their 6 Lombardi's turns into at least 8.

The last top flight WR they've drafted was Terry Glenn in 1996 when the HC didn't even want him.

Yes, their OL has been trash since 2022.

 

[DarrylS]

Every time I turn on Sportstalk radio another hysterical dude is whining about the Patriots, but seldom do they ever speak to the reality that some of their binkies might not want to play here...
Things like Mass. taxes, a very low rated player friendly environment, lack of winning, lack of familiarity of where this team is heading etc might keep players away and make other teams more palatable.
If we show next year we are heading in a positive direction, winning more games and current players evaluation of the team in general improving, things might be different.
We do not really know how hard the Pats braintrust tried to lure some of these lucrative FA's to this team, what we do know is that most decided to go elsewhere.
Still gotta believe there is a plan in place to make this O better than it has been..

 

[Kdo5]

Wow I had no idea Vrabel was the coach for five seasons. That went by really fast. You do know that the failures of the organization over the last four years are not on him? Right? Drama queens like you are ridiculous. It takes time to turn a franchise around and Free Agency just opened 3 days ago. THREE DAYS AGO. This rebuild will take years. Just stop it. Go cheer for the Jets.

You are far too generous if you actually believe this. We have our QB finally and you think we should expect to waste “years” of his career on a rebuild.

If we are still rebuilding two seasons from now we might lose him too. And I wasn’t referring to Vrabel, I am referring to Wolf and Groh who have been here years and still maintain positions of power with the draft and free agency.

 

[imahobgoblin]

You are far too generous if you actually believe this. We have our QB finally and you think we should expect to waste “years” of his career on a rebuild.

If we are still rebuilding two seasons from now we might lose him too. And I wasn’t referring to Vrabel, I am referring to Wolf and Groh who have been here years and still maintain positions of power with the draft and free agency.

Drama queens gotta drama. They just cannot help it.

 

[Ring 6]

You are far too generous if you actually believe this. We have our QB finally and you think we should expect to waste “years” of his career on a rebuild.

If we are still rebuilding two seasons from now we might lose him too. And I wasn’t referring to Vrabel, I am referring to Wolf and Groh who have been here years and still maintain positions of power with the draft and free agency.

First of all virtually no rebuild is ever complete. From 2014-2018 the Patriots went to 4 SBs in 5 years and won 3 and every off season there were weaknesses to shore up and units to rebuild.
So a rebuild to perfection is indefinite or creaky impossible.

So the question is rebuild to what?
Playoff contender?
Playoff certain?
Sb contender?

To me rebuild is getting to playoff contender. Still work to do after that, but it’s no longer a “rebuild”.


If it’s playoff contender the timeframe is right now.
We have the QB.
We have lost basically no one and added 5 starters that are clear upgrades.
We have added depth.
We still have 70-ish million to add players
We still have the draft.

We have 8 opponents on the schedule who were 5 win or worse teams.

It would be a huge failure by the front office to not finish the off season with a team that is a playoff contender or even favorite.

If we are not a playoff contender this year after all of the resources available these last 2 of seasons, we need to overhaul the front office.

 

[Kdo5]

Drama queens gotta drama. They just cannot help it.

Will you have a discussion with substance or not? If not shut up.

 

[Ring 6]

My overall rationale is that I want them to build a team that will contend long term, imo that’s how you get multiple Lombardi’s. I don’t care about next season, other than that I want to see a noticeable improvement, hopefully one that has them in the hunt for a Wild Card spot in December. And while I’m as anxious as anyone for them to fix their LTand WR deficiencies, I don’t want them spending big money to do it while they are not a playoff team. Giving up the 4 for a player who will be an unrestricted free agent, and will require a huge contract to keep him doesn’t make sense to me, especially when they can use the 4 for a tackle they will get for 5 years on a rookie deal.

Don’t get me wrong, I want them to spend all the money they can spend to build this team, but if the choice overspending to sign ok players and have a better chance of winning more games next season, or waiting for better players next free agency, then I will take the latter. I think many of the guys left in free agency want more than they are worth, so I’m fine with the Patriots keeping more cap space to use next free agency. As I said in another post I believe Vrabel and Co. know what they are doing, and have an overall plan for how they are going to build a really good team, and I trust them to get that done.

I don’t think multiple Lombardis is the right goal right now.
Very few teams win multiple Lombardis in an era. I don’t see anything about this team yet that leads me to think they are in contention for that. So
my goal is max out your roster be competitive and hope you get hit and make a SB run. we are the 2018 Bucs not the 2013 Patriots.

Secondly I don’t agree with the save money and hope there are better free agents next year thinking. There won’t be. No year is so different than the next. You can’t spend 100 million on top tier long terms contracts because first it would cost you probably half a billion and secondly you could never sign that many players. So every year there is roughly the same group and you compete against 31 teams for them.

In our situation what we should be doing with our cap space is loading up on 1 or 2 year deals, like Epps, Dobbs, , the big DT whose name I forget and even higher cost guys. That way we maximize the talent this year but leave cap room next year. I see no reason to leave cap money unspent, but how you spend it is critically important.