What are our biggest needs in the 2026 Draft

[mayoclinic]

Great evaluation game so far.

Pats are talented and competitive. Not outclassed. Another season of development, and fill a few holes, and they will be a very good team.

Rebuilding from how bad the 2023-2024 team was takes more than 4 games. But things looking up.

 

[mayoclinic]

The defense is hanging in.

Now imagine if you substituted Arvell Reese for Elliss and Tyree Wheatley for Hawkins.

Completely different.

 

[manxman2601]

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

PASS RUSH!!!! Allen has too much time to pass.

And a RB that doesn't fumble.

 

[manxman2601]

And a RB that doesn't fumble.

X2

 

[mayoclinic]

Alright, alright:

1. Arvell Reese
2. Chris Bell / CJ Daniels
3. Zakee Wheatley
4a. Best available OL
4b. Akheem Mesidor
5. A RB who doesn't fumble

Happy?

 

[manxman2601]

After that first half.

1. Edge rush (All our penetration is coming from the middle)
2. Interior OL (too much interior pressure)
3. A WR who can get open quickly (Maye starts to run if there's no-one open immediately)
4. Safety (A roster necessity)
5. RB1 (Henderson doesn't have the power to run inside)

I think our linebackers are fine. Elliss having a good game.

 

[mayoclinic]

#3 may already be in the roster if they would get some time.

 

[manxman2601]

#3 may already be in the roster if they would get some time.

Which one? Chism? If so, I agree.

 

[mayoclinic]

I think our linebackers are fine.

Gotta disagree.

 

[mayoclinic]

- Not a QB
- Not a LT
- Not a starting DT
- Not a CB1
- Not a K
- Not a P

 

[manxman2601]

Do we need to have a conversation about the running game? It's clear Henderson is not an RB1 and Rhamondre can't afford any more fumbles. It's becoming a big need. I'm not talking Jeremiyah Love big and it's hopefully something they can address via FA but it's a need all the same.

 

[mayoclinic]

I think you just covered it.

 

[manxman2601]

I don't know how I feel about it in terms of need, but the weakest part of our roster right now is our running game - both blocking and the ball carrying.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I don't know how I feel about it in terms of need, but the weakest part of our roster right now is our running game - both blocking and the ball carrying.

I'd also add edge rushing but I seem to be alone in that view.

You are not alone. LB, Safety, EDGE, in any order.

 

[manxman2601]

You are not alone. LB, Safety, EDGE, in any order.

Providing they re-sign Gibbins, I'm fine with the linebackers, although depth is a plus. If not, then it's certainly a need. Gibbins and Spillane, after a slow start, have been terrific the last three games. Elliss hasn't been very good though.

 

[mayoclinic]

Spillane has been solid.

I think Gibbons is a terrific backup, but not ideal as a starter.

We just disagree on this one. We agree on so much, it would be boring if we didn't disagree once in a while.

I would say EDGE is the inverse. I feel Landry and Chaisson are adequate, want a 3td EDGE but not necessarily top priority. I'm not yet excited about the EDGE rushers after Bain and Faulk, don't want to reach. We disagree on the sub rushers.

 

[captain stone]

...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.

I still can't believe they thought that Hawkins would be such an Upgrayedd over Peppers that they could just release Peppers outright rather than keep him around as insurance...

 

[State]

If HH gets injured, heaven forbid, a lot of you blokes will suddenly realize the lack of a young, talented guy there. Our offense will not function as well without Henry.

The last two drafts we could have had Bruce Bowens and Tyler Warren. Or keep Maye and Campbell and draft Mason Taylor in the second instead of Henderson, the talented Ohio State RB.

2026 TE is front and center as a top three priority. Maybe we can squeeze a couple more seasons out of HH and Austin Hooper. But that’s pushing it.

TE with dual responsibilities is harder for a rookie. Blocking and catching. And the need for a blocking ‘Y’ TE is readily apparent even to the bums living in Kenmore Square.

 

[mayoclinic]

Not sure who Bruce Bowens is.

You can't have everyone. Are you suggesting we should have taken Brock Bowers over Drake Maye?

For the record, I'm a huge TE fan. I had Warren (along with Jalon Walker) as my BPAs at #4 last year, but I can't argue for either right now over a cornerstone LT. I had Mason Taylor high on my list at #38 as well.

The problem I see for 2026 is that other than Kenyon Sadiq I see no one close to that caliber. I'm ok with Sadiq with our 1st round pick if he is BPA - he's currently #11 on my board for the Pats. But I wouldn't force it.

Most offenses would struggle if they lost their best weapons. That's why they are considered the "best."

 

[manxman2601]

I’m with Mayo on this TE class. For now at least, it looks pretty weak to me. One more year of Henry and Hooper and take a day 3 swing on someone like Oscar Delp who has upside but very little production.