What are our biggest needs in the 2026 Draft

[manxman2601]

I've been thinking about team needs in terms of 'must haves' and 'nice to haves' by position. I'm really thinking in terms of priority picks here so rounds 1-4 primarily. This is the offense.

A - Must have - We are short on players for the position
B - Nice to have - We're fine numbers wise but an upgrade is warranted.
C - Nice to have - An upgrade is warranted but we're not desperate

QB - C

Technically we'll be okay as Josh Dobbs is still on the roster but some form of upgrade would be nice. We'll also need a QB3.

RB - C/A

I'm putting trust in Rhamondre's fumble issues and Treveyon's growth. If both are still problems at the end of the year, I'd upgrade it to A.

TE - B

Do we re-sign Hooper and do either he or Hunter show signs of decline? I've been very impressed by both and in a weak TE year, I'd be happy keeping both for another year. They are getting on though so a younger body is certainly needed.

WR - B

My feelings are mixed on this one. A WR room of Boutte-Diggs-Chism-Williams is okay but I'm not as high on Boutte as some and Chism & Williams are unproven at this point. For me, this is close to an A but I can see why the FO might see otherwise, especially as the coaching staff seem to like Hollins so much. There are only so many roster spots.

RT - B/A

Morgan Moses is fine but ageing. I'm fine with upgrading this position but we could probably get through a season without doing so. B if Marcus Bryant is fine, A if he struggles when called upon.

LG/C - C - B

I put these two together because technically we're fine. Bradbury has been a pleasant surprise and Wilson has equipped himself well at LG. However, is Wilson's planned future at LG or Bradbury's future replacement at C? It would certainly be worth adding at one or other of the positions but not a necessity.

RG - A+

We save $17,500,000 by cutting or trading Onwenu next year. I just don't see them holding on to him. Our biggest offensive need in my opinion.

 

[manxman2601]

Defense

EDGE - A

If Chaisson has even a decent year, I think he'll command more than we might want to pay to extend. If he does leave, we only have Jennings, White or Swinson to replace him and I don't think any of the three can be relied upon as a starter next year. One of our three biggest needs.

DT - D

Williams - Barmore - Farmer - Tonga (hopefully). If we re-sign Tonga who I've been impressed by, this is arguably our lowest need position on the roster. I'd be absolutely fine with those four next season.

LB - C/B

This might not be popular but I've been impressed by Spillane and Gibbins of late and we could get by with those two plus Mapu. However, this is a very strong linebacker class so drafting one as BPA also makes sense. We just don't have to.

CB - B/A

Marcus Jones' contract is a big question mark. I'm also of the view that you can never have enough CBs, particularly as Austin has failed to impress early season. A if jones doesn't re-sign, B if he does.

S - A

Hawkins is out of contract and cutting or trading Dugger post June 1st saves us $12,500,000. That's 30m in total between him and Onwenu. Even if they re-sign Hawkins, it's a must have.

Biggest needs in terms of positional value and likely draft position

1. EDGE
2. Safety
3. RG

And prioritise re-signing Marcus Jones.

note - I'm still team BPA so I'm not saying we shouldn't draft Sadiq, Delane or Reese with a first round pick but the three positions above should be given some level of priority in rounds 2-4.

 

[Clonamery]

I'd add RT as a must have. I think that even if Moses survives the year, we need another OT to be ready to take over.

 

[manxman2601]

I'd add RT as a must have. I think that even if Moses survives the year, we need another OT to be ready to take over.

I can see that. They do seem to like Bryant though. Whether that's just because he's the best of a bad bunch or actually good, we don't know yet. However you're right. I'll change it to B/A.

 

[stelfans]

Gonna have to disagree with LB. I think along with S is the biggest need. Im a big fan of Gibbens, but if you can add a guy like Reese, thats a game changer, with Hill being my current #2 at LB. Plus i dont think Eliss, Mapu or Tavai should even be an option at this point. I was team Styles but i have to think Spillane is gonna be part of their core going forward so we just need someone to complement him.
Im more than fine with BPA but LB and S should be picks 1 and 2 next year.

Everything else seems spot on.

 

[manxman2601]

Gonna have to disagree with LB. I think along with S is the biggest need. Im a big fan of Gibbens, but if you can add a guy like Reese, thats a game changer, with Hill being my current #2 at LB. Plus i dont think Eliss, Mapu or Tavai should even be an option at this point. I was team Styles but i have to think Spillane is gonna be part of their core going forward so we just need someone to complement him.
Im more than fine with BPA but LB and S should be picks 1 and 2 next year.

Everything else seems spot on.

What about EDGE? If Chaisson isn't re-signed that room is pretty barren and a pass rusher has to be a higher priority than a linebacker. I'm part of team Reese or team Downs but a pass rusher is a priority too.

 

[stelfans]

What about EDGE? If Chaisson isn't re-signed that room is pretty barren and a pass rusher has to be a higher priority than a linebacker. I'm part of team Reese or team Downs but a pass rusher is a priority too.

Agreed, those 3 should be the priorities. I think much like last year where they went full ofense in the early rounds, they'll just go defense this time. Im just not a fan of this edge class, especially if we take into account the type of player they like to see there.
I guess it all comes down to who they can get in FA. But we are too far from that to have any clue.

 

[manxman2601]

Agreed, those 3 should be the priorities. I think much like last year where they went full ofense in the early rounds, they'll just go defense this time. Im just not a fan of this edge class, especially if we take into account the type of player they like to see there.
I guess it all comes down to who they can get in FA. But we are too far from that to have any clue.

I agree 100% with the bolded - it doesn't look to be a patch on last year at this point of the season. I certainly wouldn't reach for an EDGE and would be absolutely fine taking Reese, Sadiq, Downs or Fano in the first if there isn't a decent EDGE to be had.

 

[mayoclinic]

I've been thinking about team needs in terms of 'must haves' and 'nice to haves' by position. I'm really thinking in terms of priority picks here so rounds 1-4 primarily. This is the offense.

A - Must have - We are short on players for the position
B - Nice to have - We're fine numbers wise but an upgrade is warranted.
C - Nice to have - An upgrade is warranted but we're not desperate

QB - C

Technically we'll be okay as Josh Dobbs is still on the roster but some form of upgrade would be nice. We'll also need a QB3.

RB - C/A

I'm putting trust in Rhamondre's fumble issues and Treveyon's growth. If both are still problems at the end of the year, I'd upgrade it to A.

TE - B

Do we re-sign Hooper and do either he or Hunter show signs of decline? I've been very impressed by both and in a weak TE year, I'd be happy keeping both for another year. They are getting on though so a younger body is certainly needed.

WR - B

My feelings are mixed on this one. A WR room of Boutte-Diggs-Chism-Williams is okay but I'm not as high on Boutte as some and Chism & Williams are unproven at this point. For me, this is close to an A but I can see why the FO might see otherwise, especially as the coaching staff seem to like Hollins so much. There are only so many roster spots.

RT - B/A

Morgan Moses is fine but ageing. I'm fine with upgrading this position but we could probably get through a season without doing so. B if Marcus Bryant is fine, A if he struggles when called upon.

LG/C - C - B

I put these two together because technically we're fine. Bradbury has been a pleasant surprise and Wilson has equipped himself well at LG. However, is Wilson's planned future at LG or Bradbury's future replacement at C? It would certainly be worth adding at one or other of the positions but not a necessity.

RG - A+

We save $17,500,000 by cutting or trading Onwenu next year. I just don't see them holding on to him. Our biggest offensive need in my opinion.

I don't see RG as an A+ need unless we cut Mike Onwenu.

Onwenu has played every snap this season. Line stability is important. $17M is a lit for a RG, but a re-structure would not shock me.

I definitely want to add another IOL in the draft, and a RT.

 

[manxman2601]

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Do you think the Pats can start a new draft strategy? A fail proof strategy?

If the Pats could hire spies to view the JETE, Titans, Browns, and Panther's draft rankings, we could eliminate all draft busts. If we know who those teams are going to draft, and eliminate those prospects from our draft board, we would not have any draft busts.

 

[mayoclinic]

The Jets can draft good players and still suck. A special skill.

 

[captain stone]

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.

...Which shows how much work there needs to be done still.

 

[captain stone]

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:

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

I would change RT to LT: Bryant's already your development RT of the Future; and backup LT VD Low's rookie contract expires at the end of the season, same as Marcus Jones'...

 

[mayoclinic]

I see Bryant as our swing tackle, capable of starting on either side in a pinch. If he becomes our long-term starter at RT it is a bonus.

I assume we'll squeeze 1 more year out of Morgan Moses, so don't need an immediate starter, though I wouldn't be averse to 1. Campbell-Moses as starters with Bryant swing an a rookie capable of stepping in at starting RY in 2027 would be fine with me.

 

[captain stone]

I see Bryant as our swing tackle, capable of starting on either side in a pinch. If he becomes our long-term starter at RT it is a bonus.

I assume we'll squeeze 1 more year out of Morgan Moses, so don't need an immediate starter, though I wouldn't be averse to 1. Campbell-Moses as starters with Bryant swing an a rookie capable of stepping in at starting RY in 2027 would be fine with me.

Still need a 4th OT, preferably with LT experience, if Low isn't re-signed. Thayer Munford might've been a candidate for that role if he hadn't been signed from the PS by the Brownies last week or so...

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Onwenu has played every snap this season. Line stability is important. $17M is a lit for a RG, but a re-structure would not shock me.

He's a free agent after 2026, so "restructure" would mean either he takes a pay cut or they extend him a year or two.

 

[Dec54]

...Which shows how much work there needs to be done still.

There is always work to be done, it is endless, and that is one of the joys of being a fan. Debating and discussing the future of the team we love.

 

[dliverey44]

Owenu has pass blocked pretty well this year, but his run blocking has been very porous, but so has Bradbury and Jared Wilson. Owenu's cap hit is 25M next year, but a restructure would change that and give relief (we are projected to have around 64.9M with carryover). As long as Owenu continues playing well-ish I would like them to restructure him because I like the thought of going into the draft without NEEDING to fill a starting spot on the OL.

I am going to wait on pinning down my thoughts on needs until later in the season because they are still finding their way. Although Off ball LB and Safety are probably going to top my list if things stay the same.

 

[mayoclinic]

I am going to wait on pinning down my thoughts on needs until later in the season because they are still finding their way. Although Off ball LB and Safety are probably going to top my list if things stay the same.

Early stages against Buffalo, but so far LB and S clearly areas to upgrade.