My Ridiculously Early Start on a 2026 Pats Big Board

[mayoclinic]

This is just to kick ideas around, and as a tool. I've left out a ton of prospects that I'm not yet sure about. There are a lot of guys who could get added.

Assumptions:

- QB, LT, LG or C, RB1, DT, DT, CB1 and slot CB are set for the long term, assuming extensions.
- Hunter Henry, Stephon Diggs, Morgan Moses, Harold Landry, Robert Spillane and Carlton Davis will provide solid veteran presence at least through 2026 (longer for Spillane).

I've tried to limit to 60-75 players across all 3 days of the draft. Everyone listed is someone I find interesting/exciting at some level. Leaving someone out does not necessarily mean I'm negative about them. I will probably add 10+ players in.

Players are grouped roughly by Tier, order within a Tier is very crude.

* Indicates currently injured.
Additions to original list in red.

Tier 1:

1. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio St.
2. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio St.
3. Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami
4. Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
5. Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
6. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

Tier 2:

7. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona St.
8. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
9. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
10. Jermod McCoy, CB*, Tennessee
11. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
12.TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
13. David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
14. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio St.
15. Jelani McDonald, S, Texas
16. Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
17. Makai Lemon, WR, USC
18. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio St.


Tier 3:


19. Chris Brazzell, WR, Tennessee
20. Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
21. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
22. Quincy Rhodes, EDGE, Arkansas
23. Anthony Hill, LB, Texas
24. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
25. Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
26. Isaiah World, OT, Oregon
27. CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
28. Conner Lew*, C, Auburn
29. Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Tier 4:

Fa'alili Fa'amoe, OT, Wake Forest
Austin Siereveld, OL, Ohio St.
Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Mateen Ibirogba, DT, Wake Forest
Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn St.
Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas
Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego St.
Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon
Ja'Kobi Lane, WR, USC
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
CJ Daniels, WR, Miami
KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Jaishawn Barham, EDGE/LB, Michigan
Romello Height, EDGE/LB, Texas Tech
Joshua Joseph, EDGE, Tennessee
Keith Abney, CB, Arizona St.
Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Vincent Anthony, EDGE, Duke
Cayden Green, OL, Missouri
Whit Weeks, LB, LSU
Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor
Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington
Justice Haynes, RB, Michigan
Jardanian Price, RB, Notre Dame

Tier 5:

Amare Ferrell, S, Indiana
Rod Moore, S, Michigan
Michael Taaffe, S, Texas
Chase Bisontis, IOL, Missouri
Tacario Davis, CB, Washington
Kade Pieper, IOL, Iowa
Brian Parker, OL, Duke
Ian Strong, WR, Rutgers
Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
Hezekiah Masses, CB, Cal
Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
Max Lewellyn, EDGE, Iowa
Gennings Dunker, IOL, Iowa
Kage Casey, OT, Boise St.
PJ Williams, OT, SMU
Dametrious Crownover, OT, Texas A&M
Carter Smith, OT, Indiana
Aaron Graves, DL, Iowa
Taurean York, LB, Texas A&M
Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia
Eli Raridon, TE, Notre Dame
Anto Saka, EDGE, Northwestern
Harold Perkins, LB, LSU
Xavier Scott, CB, Illinois

Tier 6:

Logan Jones, IOL, Iowa
D'Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
Jontez Williams, CB, Iowa St.
Mikhail Kamara, EDGE, Indiana
Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
Nyck Harbor, WR, S. Carolina
Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
Febechi Nwaiwu, IOL, Oklahoma

 

[mayoclinic]

Some people I've left out:

- All QBs
- Most RBs and DTs
- A lot of OL and S that I haven't fully evaluated
- LB CJ Allen, Georgia. Really good player, I just think Spillane is solid
- OT Kadyn Procter. I think he's vastly overrated, except as a WR.
- CBs Aveion Terrell, AJ Harris, Will Lee - not sure on them yet
- CB Domani Jackson - awful in run support
- Sub rushers like David Bailey
- Suntarine Perkins - not sure what to make of him yet

 

[manxman2601]

Excellent work. I wondered where CJ Allen was. Thanks for the explanation. Two names I do see missing are Dani Dennis-Sutton and Joshua Josephs. Thoughts?

 

[mayoclinic]

CJ Allen is a clear top-40 player. If Spillane were playing poorly, he would be high on my board. Spillane looks solid, and is 29, so looking for more of a compliment. NOT a knock on the player.

Unsure about both Joseph and Dennis-Sutton, so left them off for now. Not a knock on either, need more evaluation.

 

[manxman2601]

CJ Allen is a clear top-40 player. If Spillane were playing poorly, he would be high on my board. Spillane looks solid, and is 29, so looking for more of a compliment. NOT a knock on the player.

Unsure about both Joseph and Dennis Sutton, so left them off for now. Not a knock on either, need more evaluation.

I'm 1st-2nd round high on Joseph but like you, I'm not sure about Dani too. Reports that he plays too upright concern me.

 

[mayoclinic]

Cashius Howell another question mark for me. Productive players, age and length issues. Left him off for now.

I had Joseph in Tier 4, then left him out pending further evaluation.

 

[manxman2601]

Cashius Howell another question mark for me. Productive players, age and length issues. Left him off for now.

I had Joseph in Tier 4, then left him out pending further evaluation.

Howell impressed me in the game I just watched, not necessarily as a pass rusher but he did well in run support and made one really good play in coverage to defeat Jeremiyah Love. Those arms are a problem though and I might drop him a couple of rounds because of it.

 

[mayoclinic]

Looking at my OP assumptions:

- QB, LT, LG or C, RB1, DT, DT, CB1 and slot CB are set for the long term, assuming extensions.
- Hunter Henry, Stephon Diggs, Morgan Moses, Harold Landry, Robert Spillane and Carlton Davis will provide solid veteran presence at least through 2026 (longer for Spillane).

If you add the following:

- Boutte or Williams will develop into an adequate #2 WR
- Woodson will be a solid starting safety
- We will get at least 1 more year of adequate starter production from either OC Bradbury or RG Onwenu (would likely require a contract adjustment)

Then the team would be in decent shape for 2026 in roughly 8/11 starting positions on offense and 8/11 starting positions on defense. Biggest immediate upgrades would be at IOL, X WR, EDGE opposite Landry, LB opposite Spillane, and S opposite Woodson, with 2027 likely seeing needs at RT, IOL, TE, and CB2 as well.

Depth is also important, for injuries and to rotate players. I'd love to see Williams at the Z and Duggs in the slot with Boutte as WR4, Gibbens as LB3, Farmer as DT3, White or Chaisson as EDGE3 (haven't given up on Swinson yet), a 3rd boundary CB, etc.

This leaves me feeling pretty good about the state of the roster going in to 2026 and beyond, especially given that we were at the 'more suited to bagging groceries at Kroger's" level only recently.

The goal should be to get to the overall level of the Eagles's roster (few holes, quality players at most positions, lots of depth) but with a top-5 QB.

 

[manxman2601]

How this class compares to last year by position group in my opinion.

Better Than Last Year

Interior OL - This looks to be a very strong class at both center and guard. There are a number of day one starters I believe

Linebacker - A very strong group, especially at the top.

Safety - I really like the depth at safety this year. This one is closer but I give the edge to this year.

Wide Receiver - I started being quite down on this WR class, largely because of how many undersized prospects there were. However, I'm really warming to this class. There's no elite x-receivers so far but there are more than enough big guys to satisfy Patriot needs and a plethora of speed merchants too.

Right Tackle - Last years class was LT heavy but with few starting RTs other than Membou. I think those roles are switched this year with RT being better and LT the weakness.

Worse Than Last Year

DT - Last year was such a good class that this is inevitable. However, I'm not overly enamoured with this DT draft class. Some good run defenders but the penetrating 3-tech types seem to be absent early doors.

EDGE - I think this class has more variety in style of rusher this year but last years class had both depth and talent at the top. This year, we're still waiting for this class to pop and it hasn't really done so so far. I still think there's potential with this class but I am looking for some of the 'better' guys to prove themselves.

TE - Other than Sadiq, I'm not excited about this class at all yet.

LT - The best LT prospect currently is Lomu and he's undersized and not even a consensus round 1 pick yet, or at least borderline. I'm glad we took our LT last year.

Undecided

QB & RB - I haven't really studied either yet so I can't really comment although QB looks more promising than last year and RB seems weaker. Last years RB class had lots of depth, maybe this class will end up that way but I'm not seeing it yet.

CB - I'm not sure about this one yet and last years class had a number of late risers. Time will tell here.

 

[mayoclinic]

How this class compares to last year by position group in my opinion.

Better Than Last Year

Interior OL - This looks to be a very strong class at both center and guard. There are a number of day one starters I believe

Linebacker - A very strong group, especially at the top.

Safety - I really like the depth at safety this year. This one is closer but I give the edge to this year.

Wide Receiver - I started being quite down on this WR class, largely because of how many undersized prospects there were. However, I'm really warming to this class. There's no elite x-receivers so far but there are more than enough big guys to satisfy Patriot needs and a plethora of speed merchants too.

Right Tackle - Last years class was LT heavy but with few starting RTs other than Membou. I think those roles are switched this year with RT being better and LT the weakness.

Worse Than Last Year

DT - Last year was such a good class that this is inevitable. However, I'm not overly enamoured with this DT draft class. Some good run defenders but the penetrating 3-tech types seem to be absent early doors.

EDGE - I think this class has more variety in style of rusher this year but last years class had both depth and talent at the top. This year, we're still waiting for this class to pop and it hasn't really done so so far. I still think there's potential with this class but I am looking for some of the 'better' guys to prove themselves.

TE - Other than Sadiq, I'm not excited about this class at all yet.

LT - The best LT prospect currently is Lomu and he's undersized and not even a consensus round 1 pick yet, or at least borderline. I'm glad we took our LT last year.

Undecided

QB & RB - I haven't really studied either yet so I can't really comment although QB looks more promising than last year and RB seems weaker. Last years RB class had lots of depth, maybe this class will end up that way but I'm not seeing it yet.

CB - I'm not sure about this one yet and last years class had a number of late risers. Time will tell here.

The roster has been significantly upgraded, and needs fits well with the strengths of this class:

QB: Maye is the future of the franchise. DeVito is a strong #3, coukd possibly develop into a 2. Dobbs needs to be upgraded if possible.

RB: Henderson looks to be RB1. Gibson and Stephenson are ok as complements. There is room to upgrade with a strong complement to Henderson, but not urgent.

WR: Diggs in the slot looks brilliant. Hopefully Williams will develop into a solid Z, relegating Boutte to #4 at the X/Z and Chism/Douglas to backup slot. There is an opportunity to upgrade Hollins with an alpha X - not urgent, but a real potential for improvement.

TE: Henry has a lot left in the tank, Hooper is adequate. There is room here, but not urgency.

OT: Campbell is a long-term fixture at LT. How great is that? Bryant looks like he will develop into a solid swing tackle. Moses can hopefully hold up for 1 more season, but there is a need for a future starting RT.

IOL: Wilson looks like a long-term starter, Brown looks like a decent backup. Bradbury can hopefully hold up through 2026, and Onwenu is solid when motivated but not worth $19M next year. Not sure Wallace offers much. There is definitely room for at least 1 IOL with future starting ability, if not an immediate starter.

DT: Williams and Barmore are cornerstones, Farmer looks like good depth, Tonga a solid NT, White could have some value in packages. You can always use more DTs and I would love to rotate bodies and have 1 more for depth, but this is an opportunity area, not a need.

EDGE: Landry has been solid but is getting on, Chaisson has been adequate but is in a contract year, White hasn't stepped up yet. Swinson has potential but is still an enigma, Ponder a depth/ST guy. Definitely an area with the potential to upgrade.

LB: Spillane solid, young and cost-effective enough to hold down the spot for several years. Gibbens a huge improvement over Elliss, but I really see Gibbens and Mapu as great #3-4 depth players. Elliss and Tavai need to be upgraded. An alpha LB/EDGE would be a huge difference maker.

S: Woodson looks like a solid ling-term starter. Dugger depth, Hawkins a FA and needs to be upgraded. A starting caliber FS with range would be a huge upgrade.

CB: Gonzalez a stud, but injury prone. Davis an ok #2, but need a 3rd starting-caliber outside CB, and need to extend Marcus Jones. Austin a depth piece only.

ST: Looks set. Borregales, Barrymore, Ashby, Schooler. Henderson/Gibson on KR, Jones on PR.

Conclusion:

Most of the needs aren't critical, not all have to be addressed in the draft, and there is room for internal development. But an alpha X WR, RT, IOL, alpha LB/EDGE, S and CB depth would be areas to significantly improve the team. These are good fits with the strengths of this draft, which looks to be fairly deep.

 

[mayoclinic]

I would say IOL was stronger last year. Booker, Zabel and Jackson all went 1st round. Jonah Savaiinaea and Jared Wilson strong day 2 guys. I don't see that kind of talent this year, but there is a lot of depth and a stronger center class.

RT, X WR, LB/EDGE, S and CB are very deep this year. Fill those with our 5 picks through rounds 4 and we will be in great shape.

 

[mayoclinic]

Looking at needs and my preliminary board:

RB: Jonah Coleman would be a nice compliment to Henderson, but this is not an area I see being addressed before day 3.

Alpha X WR: Jordyn Tyson a top 15 pick. Makai Lemon not really an X, but definitely an alpha, top 20 pick. Chris Bell, Chris Brazzell, Denzel Boston, Carnell Tate and Ja'Kobi Lane likely top 50 picks. Ian Strong a 3rd round guy, Malachi Fields, Elijah Sarratt and Nyck Harbor day 3 with upside. Strong group.

TE: Kenyon Sadiq an opportunity pick, Eli Raridon a nice day 3 option with upside. Marlin Klein has traits but lacking production.

OT: Spencer Fanu and Francis Mauigoa top-15 picks and immediate starters. Caleb Lomu and Isaiah Worlds possible if they slip to day 2. Fa'alili Fa'amoe and Kenyon Green solid day 2 options, Green more likely to LG with Wilson to C. Brian Parker intriguing value pick at RT or RG.

IOL: Conner Lew a day 1-2 option. Not sure about Jake Slaughter. Caden Green a great LG value. Love Kade Pieper's athleticism. Gennings Dunker a great RG prospect, but would not take him ahead of Green.

DT: Peter Woods still a top-15 talent, liked how he was used better last year. Mateen Ibirogba would be a great rotational piece. Aaron Graves s day 3 guy. I don't see the Pats going this route unless someone falls into their lap where the value is too good to pass up.

EDGE: Rueben Bain and Keldric Faulk are alphas. TJ Parker, Quincy Rhodes and Matayo Uiagalelei have alpha potential. Not sure what to do with all the sub rushers.

LB/EDGE: Arvell Reese is an alpha, Sonny Styles and Anthony Hill have alpha potential. Jayshawn Barham and Romello Height very intriguing. Harold Perkins next tier behind them. CJ Allen, Whit Weeks and Taurean York more traditional LBs. Jacob Rodriguez a day 3 guy. Don't know what to make of Suntarine Perkins.

S: Caleb Downs an uber alpha, Dillon Thieneman with alpha potential, Amare Ferrell with starter upside. Xavier Scott could be a S/CB hybrid. I'm focused on range, not sure what to make of more SS types (Ramsey, Haulcy, Kilgore, Smith, McNeil-Warren, etc.).

CB: Delane and McCoy (*) top-20 alphas. Abney and Hood very intriguing. Some nice length guys, need further evaluation. Tacario Davis moves really well for such a big guy, want him. D'Angelo Ponds a stud in the Marcus Jones mold.

 

[mayoclinic]

My best case scenario as of right now:

1. Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE
2. Chris Bell or Chris Brazzell, X WR
3. Fa'alili Fa'amoe or Caden Green, OL
4a. Amare Ferrell or Tacario Davis, DB
4b. Kade Pieper, IOL
5. Eli Raridon, TE
6a. D'Angelo Ponds, CB
6b. Akheem Mesidor, EDGE
7a. Trade up or BPA
7b. Trade up or BPA

An alternative would be Jordyn Tyson or Kenyon Sadiq in the 1st, and Anthony Hill or Quincy Rhodes in the 2nd.

Would love to figure out a way to add Mateen Ibirogba, Jonah Coleman, and both Ferrell and Davis, but can't do it yet.

 

[manxman2601]

My best case scenario as of right now:

1. Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE
2. Chris Bell or Chris Brazzell, X WR
3. Fa'alili Fa'amoe or Caden Green, OL
4a. Amare Ferrell or Tacario Davis, DB
4b. Kade Pieper, IOL
5. Eli Raridon, TE
6a. D'Angelo Ponds, CB
6b. Akheem Mesidor, EDGE
7a. Trade up or BPA
7b. Trade up or BPA

An alternative would be Jordyn Tyson or Kenyon Sadiq in the 1st, and Anthony Hill or Quincy Rhodes in the 2nd.

Would love to figure out a way to add Mateen Ibirogba, Jonah Coleman, and both Ferrell and Davis, but can't do it yet.

Reese
Bell or Strong
Green or Ioane
Ferrell or Wheatley

Would be an A+ draft.

 

[mayoclinic]

I like the depth in this draft. I think we should be able to add some good depth on day 3, where we currently have 7 picks.

2 weeks ago I thought we might be picking top 10 and might be able to trade down and still get Reese. Now I'm hoping one of the tier 1-2 guys is available with our 1st pick. I guess that's a good thing, in the bigger picture.

 

[manxman2601]

Just looking at potential cap space next year, it loks like the Pats are currently projected to have just shy of 50m. Add another 30m from getting rid of Onwenu and Dugger that makes 80m. I would use that money to renew some key roster spots - Marcus Jones being no1 and then the likes of Gibbens, Hooper and Tonga being my other priorities. That should still leave enough for a Gonzo extension and then I would prioritise an edge rusher with the rest unless this class noticeably improves.

 

[manxman2601]

I like the depth in this draft. I think we should be able to add some good depth on day 3, where we currently have 7 picks.

2 weeks ago I thought we might be picking top 10 and might be able to trade down and still get Reese. Now I'm hoping one of the tier 1-2 guys is available with our 1st pick. I guess that's a good thing, in the bigger picture.

A win tomorrow night and we might have to start seriously considering your tiers 3-4 because our playoff chances will increase dramatically.

 

[mayoclinic]

The Tier 3 guys all have 1st round potential.

Make the playoffs and our 1st round options probably look like:

- OL Lew, Lomu, Worlds
- WR Bell, Boston, Tate
- EDGE Parker, Rhodes, Uiagalelei
- LB/EDGE Styles, Hill
- S Thienemann
- CB Abney?

 

[manxman2601]

The Tier 3 guys all have 1st round potential.

Make the playoffs and our 1st round options probably look like:

- OL Lew, Lomu, Worlds
- WR Bell, Boston, Lake
- EDGE Parker, Rhodes, Uiagalelei
- LB/EDGE Styles, Hill
- S Thienemann
- CB Abney?

I don't think Parker makes it that far down. Personally, I'd swap him for Josephs. Abney's a good shout if we don't re-sign Jones. I'd also add Carnell Tate.

 

[mayoclinic]

I had Tate, called him "Lake" after the Pittsburgh LB. LOL. Fixing it.