What are our biggest needs in the 2026 Draft

[captain stone]

I went back and looked at the least picked positions in the first two rounds of the last 10 years. At the bottom are the following, all given lower priority than even RB.

RB was ranked 7th.

8. Inside linebacker
9. OG
10. TE
11. Safety
12. Center

I suspect if you were to break out RT from all OTs, that position might be on the list too. In other words, all the positions we're talking about as the positions we need are the positions the NFL has valued the least. I'm not saying we shouldn't take them in the first just because the NFL values them the least but there may be value to be had in later rounds because of that. Which is why I think BPA is the way to go. For now at least, we don't have one gaping need that has to be addressed in round one like last year.

If Mauigoa, Lew, Styles, Thieneman etc are the best player on the board when it's our turn to pick then take them. However, if Tyson, Delane, Downs, edge rusher TBD etc are still on the board and graded higher, take them. We can still pick up centers, guards and linebackers on day two and even early day three.

And even later...

 

[Brick27]

Top Needs

• BPA: There is never a bad time to go this route, especially early and with a suspected QB in place, if you are absolutely damned that X player meets the criteria to be on top of your board with what’s available.
• OL: There’s always space for another hog. Between aging, iffy contract situations, and position versatility among the current group..there’s room to reshuffle with whoever was added

 

[manxman2601]

What are our biggest needs in the 2026 Off-Season?​

Re-sign Marcus Jones!!!!

 

[manxman2601]

With 14 minutes to go, the two linebackers, Spillane and Gibbins are PFF's highest graded defensive players for this game.

BPA.

 

[mayoclinic]

Agree with BPA.

Looks like we may have a solid nucleus to build around going forward. Would be a dream to upgrade and build for the future without trying to plug holes.

 

[manxman2601]

Agree with BPA.

Looks like we may have a solid nucleus to build around going forward. Would be a dream to upgrade and build for the future without trying to plug holes.

Depending on contracts there are some obvious holes still.

1. Marcus Jones earned himself money today. Hopefully we're the ones paying it.
2. Chaisson, Gibbens and Hawkins are all out of contract. I would definitely re-sign Gibbens. He's been excellent the last two weeks.
3. Mike Onwenu is due to be paid 25m. He's been good but I don't see them paying that. Maybe a renegotiation?

 

[mayoclinic]

1. Jones a solid re-sign. Slot CB and PR checked off.

2. Chaisson ok, Gibbons has been a huge upgrade from Elliss, but still room to improve. Arvell Reese, Spillane, Gibbons and Mapu would be a nice LB room.

3. I'm fine keeping Onwenu and targeting other positions if he re-structures and can stay motivated. I'm also fine moving on.

 

[mayoclinic]

A WR room with Diggs, Chris Bell/Makai Lemon, Williams, and then Boutte, Douglas, Chism and Hollins for depth would also be very solid.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

1. Jones a solid re-sign. Slot CB and PR checked off.

2. Chaisson ok, Gibbons has been a huge upgrade from Elliss, but still room to improve. Arvell Reese, Spillane, Gibbons and Mapu would be a nice LB room.

3. I'm fine keeping Onwenu and targeting other positions if he re-structures and can stay motivated. I'm also fine moving on.

You don't like Tavai?

 

[manxman2601]

You don't like Tavai?

Who?

 

[manxman2601]

LB is creeping onto the NEEDS board.

After the last two weeks, falling back down again. I'm not saying we shouldn't take Reese, Styles, Allen etc if they're BPA, but I'd be fine riding with Spillane and Gibbins if they continue as they have the last two weeks.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

After the last two weeks, falling back down again. I'm not saying we shouldn't take Reese, Styles, Allen etc if they're BPA, but I'd be fine riding with Spillane and Gibbins if they continue as they have the last two weeks.

How many drop off passes to the RBs and TEs are we going to be subjected to? Can we have a LB that plays the run and the pass? Please.

 

[manxman2601]

How many drop off passes to the RBs and TEs are we going to be subjected to? Can we have a LB that plays the run and the pass? Please.

I don't mind a drop off so long as the tackles are made, which on the evidence of the last two weeks, they are.

 

[ExeterSportsGuy]

After the last two weeks, falling back down again. I'm not saying we shouldn't take Reese, Styles, Allen etc if they're BPA, but I'd be fine riding with Spillane and Gibbins if they continue as they have the last two weeks.

Agree here, but depth would be nice. A solid, high round LB to come up behind Spillane would be outstanding

 

[manxman2601]

How many drop off passes to the RBs and TEs are we going to be subjected to? Can we have a LB that plays the run and the pass? Please.

I don't mean to rubbish your point, but things that concern me more than dump offs to running backs are:

1. A pass rusher opposite Landry.
2. A genuine playmaker on offence or an alpha X. That might be Williams but we don't know yet.
3. A safety to partner Woodson.
4. A RG if Onwenu is cut.
5. The long-term replacement for Bradbury or a LG if that person is Wilson.
6. The future at RT.
7. The future at TE although I'd be fine rolling with the two we have currently into next year.

Spillane and Gibbins have been outstanding the last two weeks and although I don't preclude taking a LB in the first if they are BPA, I just don't think it's the issue it was a couple of weeks ago.

 

[mayoclinic]

Good list.

I think a true playmaking LB is up there.

I would also add a 3rd boundary CB.

 

[manxman2601]

Good list.

I think a true playmaking LB is up there.

I would also add a 3rd boundary CB.

Yup. I meant to put the CB on the list.

 

[mayoclinic]

I think it is fair to see we are past the "should be working at Kroger's" stage. But there is lots of room to upgrade, by various routes.

My ideal:

QB: Maye, a better backup than Dobbs, DeVito

RB: Henderson, Stevenson, Gibson, + developmental RB with upside (Larison?)

WR: Alpha X, Diggs, Williams, Boutte, Chism, Douglas/Hollins

TE: Henry, Hooper, + developmental TE with upside

OT: Campbell, Moses, developmental RT with starter potential, Bryant

IOL: Wilson, Bradbury, Onwenu at reduced cost or starting caliber successor, Brown, developmental starting caliber IOL

DL: Williams, Barmore, Tonga, Farmer; can always use more, would love a penetrating, disruptive DL like Ibirogba

EDGE: Landry, White, Chaisson, young pass rusher (could possibly be Swinson?), Ponder/Swinson

LB: Alpha stud LB, Spillane, Gibbons, Mapu

S: Woodson, versatile safety with range opposite Woodson, Duggar, Pettus

CB: Gonzales, Davis, 3rd boundary CB, Jones, Austin, +1

K: Borregales

P: Baringer

LS: Ashby

ST: Schooler

Not all of those needs are critical.

This assume Jones, Gibbons and Chaisson are re-signed.

 

[mayoclinic]

I think it is fair to see we are past the "should be working at Kroger's" stage. But there is lots of room to upgrade, by various routes.

My ideal:

QB: Maye, a better backup than Dobbs, DeVito

RB: Henderson, Stevenson, Gibson, + developmental RB with upside (Larison?)

WR: Alpha X, Diggs, Williams, Boutte, Chism, Douglas/Hollins

TE: Henry, Hooper, + developmental TE with upside

OT: Campbell, Moses, developmental RT with starter potential, Bryant

IOL: Wilson, Bradbury, Onwenu at reduced cost or starting caliber successor, Brown, developmental starting caliber IOL

DL: Williams, Barmore, Tonga, Farmer; can always use more, would love a penetrating, disruptive DL like Ibirogba

EDGE: Landry, White, Chaisson, young pass rusher (could possibly be Swinson?), Ponder/Swinson

LB: Alpha stud LB, Spillane, Gibbons, Mapu

S: Woodson, versatile safety with range opposite Woodson, Duggar, Pettus

CB: Gonzales, Davis, 3rd boundary CB, Jones, Austin, +1

K: Borregales

P: Baringer

LS: Ashby

ST: Schooler

Not all of those needs are critical.

This assume Jones, Gibbons and Chaisson are re-signed.

Looking at this:

Alpha X: Chris Bell (2), Makai Lemon (1-2), Ja'Kobi Lane (2), Chris Brazzell (2-4), Malachi Fields (Day 3), Nyck Harbor (Day 3)

Developmental/starting TE: Sadiq Charles (1), Marlin Klein (3-5)

RT with starting potential: Spencer Fanu (1), Francis Mauigoa (1), Isaiah World (1-2), Fa'alili Fa'amoe (2-3), Jake Harker (Day 3)

IOL: Conner Lew (1), Olaivavega Ioane (day 2), Cayden Green (3), Emmanuel Pregnon (3), Kade Pieper (3-4), Gennings Dunker (3-4), Iapani Laloulu (day 3), Logan Jones (day 3), Febechi Nwaiwu (day 3)

Rotational Penetrating DT: Peter Woods (1), Mateen Ibirogba (2-4), Zane Durant (3-4)

Young pass rusher: Rueben Bain (1), Keldric Faulk (1), TJ Parker (1-2), Matayo Uiagalelei (1-2), David Bailey (1-2), Cashius Howell (1-2), R Mason Thomas (day 2), Joshua Joseph (day 2), Jaishawn Barham (day 2), Romelo Heights (2-4), Akheem Mesidor (day 3), Mikail Kamara (day 3), Caden Curry (day 3)

Alpha stud LB: Arvell Reese (1), Sonny Styles (1), CJ Allen (1-2), Anthony Hill (2), Whit Weeks (day 2), Harold Perkins ( day 2), Taurean York (day 3)

Versatile safety with range: Caleb Downs (1), Dillon Thieneman (1-2), Amare Ferrell (3-4)

3rd Boundary CB: Jermod McCoy (1), Mansoor Delane (1), Aveion Terrell (1), AJ Harris (1-2), DJ McKinney (day 2), Keith Abney (day 2), Will Lee (day 2), Colton Hood (day 2), Davison Igbinosun (day 3), Hezekiah Masses (day 3)

For a start.

 

[manxman2601]

I was thinking about what last year told us about how the Patriots valued the draft and how that might inform us. This is just my interpretation so take it for what it's worth.

Round 1 - Drafted for need.

Round 2 - Willing to take a high upside role player

Round 3 - A high upside, but inexperienced, future starter.

Day 3 - I think with the first 3 picks they were just prepared to take value. BPA.

The fact that they Took 3 offensive players with the first three picks suggests defence might get priority next time. I'd be looking at prospects with a high floor character wise, but perhaps underdeveloped but with a high ceiling in rounds 2 + 3. Anthony Hill is one that springs to mind.