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Thinking about my preliminary big board, the current state of the roster, and team needs:
Offense:
QB:
Need=minimal. Drake Maye is the franchise. As long as he is healthy the Pats should be a playoff contender. If he continues to develop and the roster is upgraded then the Pats could be serious contenders. If he gets hurt, the Pats will be a bottom-half team.
The goal should be to have a competent backup capable of surviving a couple of games if Maye gets dinged up. I don't see Dobbs at that guy. Tommy DeVito is a solid #3 and possible #2. I wouldn't mind upgrading Dobbs if the opportunity arises, either in FA or the draft.
Draft Possibilities: None right now, but if a QB with upside fell to the 6th round or later I wouldn't be averse to taking a flier.
RB:
Need=moderate/high. What looked like a strong RB room has taken a hit. Rhamondre Stevenson is overpaid, inconsistent, and fumble-prone. His contract likely keeps him around through 2027. Antonio Gibson and Lan Larison will be coming off major injuries. TreVeyon Henderson wowed in TC, but has developed slowly. He needs a good complementary back at least. Will need to watch his development closely.
Draft Possibilities: Not much right now. Jeremiyah Love will go high. I like Jonah Coleman, but he will likely go day 2. Not sure yet about day 3 Possibilities.
This is an area I could see being targeted in FA. I would like to see the Pats make a run at either Breece Hall or Kenneth Walker if they hit the market.
WR:
Need=moderate. If the RB room has taken s plunge, the WR is looking decent. The move of Stephon Diggs to the slit has paid off big time, he and Maye seem to be developing serious chemistry. Kayshon Boutte is a solid rotational guy/decent starter, also has some chemistry with Maye. Kyle Williams has serious potential and is getting open, want to see him get involved more. Mack Hollins and Pop Douglas are decent, Efton Chism could leapfrog both. Not a half-bad group that should get better.
Draft Possibilities: I don't really want to spend a day 1 pick on the position, unless Tyson Jordyn somehow slips. Makai Lemon is talented but too similar to Digfs/Williams to take that high for me.
Day 2 a definite possibility: Chris Bell, Chris Brazzell, CJ Daniels and Ian Stroud are all high on my list, JaKobi Lane has serious upside. Day 3 options include Malachi Fields, Elijah Sarratt, and moonshot Nyck Harbor.
TE:
Need=low/moderate. Hunter Henry has great chemistry with Maye and is one of our best offensive players. Austin Hooper is solid, would like to see him extended. Henry is signed through 2026, would not mind him extended for another 1-2 years. But some youth at the position would not ge amiss if the opportunity arises.
Draft Possibilities: Kenyon Sadiq could be an impact TE, worth a 1st round pick depending on who else is available. Michael Trigg day 2 and Eli Raridon day 3 seem like solid possibilities.
OT:
Need=moderate. Will Campbell is the franchise protector at LT. How amazing is that? Morgan Moses is under contract through 2027 but probably won't last that long. Marcus Bryant shows promise as a possible swing tackle. Verderian Lowe is a JAG, needs to be upgraded. A future RT is a need.
Draft Possibilities: Spencer Fano and Francis Mauigoa are 1st round options if either last. Isaiah World and Fili Fa'amoe day 2. Maybe Caleb Lomu or Cayden Green if you think they could move to RT. Drew Azzopardi could be a day 3 option. Austin Siereveld really intriguing, but doubt he will come out. Brian Parker will probably move inside.
IOL:
Need=moderate. Jared Wilson is a long-term fixture either at LG or C. Ben Brown a competent backup at both. Garrett Bradbury has exceeded expectations at C, is under contract through 2026. Mike Onwenu adequate at RG but not worth his 2026 cap hit; unless he is extended he will need to be replaced.
Draft Possibilities: There's no one I see warranting a day 1 pick at this point. Day 2 options include Cayden Green and Gennings Dunker. Maybe Brian Parker round 3. Vega Ioane is too much of a road grader for my taste, personally. I love Kade Pieper, but doubt he'll come out. Lots of day 3 options. I like Chase Bisontis' athleticism, Austin Siereveld very intriguing as a 4-position player if he comes out.
Defense:
DL:
Need=minimal. Milton Williams and Christian Barmore are one of the best DT duos in the NFL, they wreck havoc. Khyiris Tonga has been a revelation at NT, needs to be extended. Josh Farmer looks like a solid rotational guy.
Draft Possibilities: Peter Woods day 1 and Mateen Ibirogba are opportunity/value possibilities for me if they are available. Not a need, but I would love to sneak Ibirogba in, he wrecks havoc. I see him as the DT version of David Bailey.
EDGE:
Need=moderate/high. Harold Landry has been good. K'Lavon Chaisson solid, needs to be extended. Not much else. Keion White a disappointment, Anfernee Jennings not a great fit. Elijah Ponder a nice developmental piece, still hoping to see Bradyn Swinson make a leap.
Draft Possibilities: I don't like this EDGE class. Rueben Bain and Keldric Faulk are studs but will go top 10. TJ Parker will likely be gone. There's not much else. Quincy Rhodes has some upside, Matayo Uiagalelei is solid but doesn't excite. David Bailey (awful against the run), Cashius Howell (age, length, average atheticism), Romello Height and R Mason Thomas (undersized) are all probably limited to sub-rushers. Akheem Mesidor very exciting day 3 option.
I wouldn't mind to see the Pats address this in FA if the opportunity arises. Haason Reddick, Jaelan Phillips, Kwity Paye and Boye Mafe are some guys to keep an eye on who shouldn't break the bank.
LB:
Need=moderate/high. Robert Spillane has been solid and is under contract at reasonable cost through 2027, but there is a huge need opposite him. Christian Elliss is a liability as a starter, Jack Gibbens and Marte Mapu are depth guys, Javani Tavai is a JAG and doesn't fit the mold.
Draft Possibilities: The good news is that the position is under-valued, and the draft class is STACKED. Arvell Reese round 1 or Jake Golday round 2 would transform the entire defense. I really want one of them. Sonny Styles and Anthony Hill also very solid round 1-2 guys. Jaishawn Barham very intriguing day 2. Harold Perkins and Jacob Rodriguez very good day 3 options.
S:
Need=high. Craig Woodson looks like a draft steal and solid long-term starter, but that is about it. Jaylinn Hawkins doesn't cut it, Kyle Duggar doesn't fit and may never be what he was, Dell Pettus is a JAG. Weakest room on the team.
Draft Possibilities: The good news is that the position is under-valued, and the draft class is STACKED. Calendar Downs a stud, will likely be long gone. Dillon Thieneman or Zakee Wheatley day 2, or Amare Ferrell or Rod Moore day 3 would be great options to complement Craig Woodson as rangy, versatile FSs. Xavier Scott a CB/S hybrid option. Kamari Ramsey, Genesis Smith, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Jalen Kilgore and AJ Haulcy all intriguing, but in a different mold for what Vrabel seems to want.
CB:
Need=moderate. Christian Gonzalez is the franchise on defense, needs to be extended. Carlton Davis is a solid #2, under contract through 2027. Both Gonzalez and Davis are injury prone, so a solid 3rd outside CB is a need. Marcus Jones a stud as slot CB, but also injury prone, and needs to be extended asap. Charles Woods and Alex Austin very upgradeable.
Draft Possibilities: I don't really want to go CB in the 1st, but Mansoor Delane and Jerod McCoy (pending medicals) could be good value if available. Keith Abney, Chris Johnson and Colton Hood look like good day 2 options, Tacario Davis and Hezekiah Masses intriguing day 3. D'Angelo Ponds and Jontez Williams (injured) are intriguing slot guys. Jyaire Hill and Collin Wright interesting late round guys.
Special Teams:
This unit looks pretty set and very stable. Andy Borregales looks set, will hopefully develop into Ghost II. Bryce Baringer is terrific. Julian Ashby at LS and Brendan Schooler as gunner/Captain should be set. Marcus Jones at TreVeyon Henderson studs at PR/KR.
You can always add guys with ST skills, but this does not look to be a focus.
Coaching Staff:
NFL stands for Not For Long, but the Pats seem in really good shape here. Vrabel should be a 10+ year guy, and he sets the team identity and goals, and the defensive philosophy. McDaniels should be around at least long enough to complete Drake Maye's development, possibly longer. Terrell Austin's health a question mark. ST is solid.
The stability here is invaluable. It means (1) not switching around schemes or approaches, so that the team can identify and target players that fit, and (2) developing and coaching up those players. Good players can be ruined by poor/inconsistent coaching, and good coaching can take players to the next level.
Overall Outlook:
When you factor in the coaching staff, cap space, and stability at key positions, the Pats look to be in as good a long-term position as any team in the NFL. It's easy to get carried away, but at least the Dark Years seem to be in the past.
Offense:
QB:
Need=minimal. Drake Maye is the franchise. As long as he is healthy the Pats should be a playoff contender. If he continues to develop and the roster is upgraded then the Pats could be serious contenders. If he gets hurt, the Pats will be a bottom-half team.
The goal should be to have a competent backup capable of surviving a couple of games if Maye gets dinged up. I don't see Dobbs at that guy. Tommy DeVito is a solid #3 and possible #2. I wouldn't mind upgrading Dobbs if the opportunity arises, either in FA or the draft.
Draft Possibilities: None right now, but if a QB with upside fell to the 6th round or later I wouldn't be averse to taking a flier.
RB:
Need=moderate/high. What looked like a strong RB room has taken a hit. Rhamondre Stevenson is overpaid, inconsistent, and fumble-prone. His contract likely keeps him around through 2027. Antonio Gibson and Lan Larison will be coming off major injuries. TreVeyon Henderson wowed in TC, but has developed slowly. He needs a good complementary back at least. Will need to watch his development closely.
Draft Possibilities: Not much right now. Jeremiyah Love will go high. I like Jonah Coleman, but he will likely go day 2. Not sure yet about day 3 Possibilities.
This is an area I could see being targeted in FA. I would like to see the Pats make a run at either Breece Hall or Kenneth Walker if they hit the market.
WR:
Need=moderate. If the RB room has taken s plunge, the WR is looking decent. The move of Stephon Diggs to the slit has paid off big time, he and Maye seem to be developing serious chemistry. Kayshon Boutte is a solid rotational guy/decent starter, also has some chemistry with Maye. Kyle Williams has serious potential and is getting open, want to see him get involved more. Mack Hollins and Pop Douglas are decent, Efton Chism could leapfrog both. Not a half-bad group that should get better.
Draft Possibilities: I don't really want to spend a day 1 pick on the position, unless Tyson Jordyn somehow slips. Makai Lemon is talented but too similar to Digfs/Williams to take that high for me.
Day 2 a definite possibility: Chris Bell, Chris Brazzell, CJ Daniels and Ian Stroud are all high on my list, JaKobi Lane has serious upside. Day 3 options include Malachi Fields, Elijah Sarratt, and moonshot Nyck Harbor.
TE:
Need=low/moderate. Hunter Henry has great chemistry with Maye and is one of our best offensive players. Austin Hooper is solid, would like to see him extended. Henry is signed through 2026, would not mind him extended for another 1-2 years. But some youth at the position would not ge amiss if the opportunity arises.
Draft Possibilities: Kenyon Sadiq could be an impact TE, worth a 1st round pick depending on who else is available. Michael Trigg day 2 and Eli Raridon day 3 seem like solid possibilities.
OT:
Need=moderate. Will Campbell is the franchise protector at LT. How amazing is that? Morgan Moses is under contract through 2027 but probably won't last that long. Marcus Bryant shows promise as a possible swing tackle. Verderian Lowe is a JAG, needs to be upgraded. A future RT is a need.
Draft Possibilities: Spencer Fano and Francis Mauigoa are 1st round options if either last. Isaiah World and Fili Fa'amoe day 2. Maybe Caleb Lomu or Cayden Green if you think they could move to RT. Drew Azzopardi could be a day 3 option. Austin Siereveld really intriguing, but doubt he will come out. Brian Parker will probably move inside.
IOL:
Need=moderate. Jared Wilson is a long-term fixture either at LG or C. Ben Brown a competent backup at both. Garrett Bradbury has exceeded expectations at C, is under contract through 2026. Mike Onwenu adequate at RG but not worth his 2026 cap hit; unless he is extended he will need to be replaced.
Draft Possibilities: There's no one I see warranting a day 1 pick at this point. Day 2 options include Cayden Green and Gennings Dunker. Maybe Brian Parker round 3. Vega Ioane is too much of a road grader for my taste, personally. I love Kade Pieper, but doubt he'll come out. Lots of day 3 options. I like Chase Bisontis' athleticism, Austin Siereveld very intriguing as a 4-position player if he comes out.
Defense:
DL:
Need=minimal. Milton Williams and Christian Barmore are one of the best DT duos in the NFL, they wreck havoc. Khyiris Tonga has been a revelation at NT, needs to be extended. Josh Farmer looks like a solid rotational guy.
Draft Possibilities: Peter Woods day 1 and Mateen Ibirogba are opportunity/value possibilities for me if they are available. Not a need, but I would love to sneak Ibirogba in, he wrecks havoc. I see him as the DT version of David Bailey.
EDGE:
Need=moderate/high. Harold Landry has been good. K'Lavon Chaisson solid, needs to be extended. Not much else. Keion White a disappointment, Anfernee Jennings not a great fit. Elijah Ponder a nice developmental piece, still hoping to see Bradyn Swinson make a leap.
Draft Possibilities: I don't like this EDGE class. Rueben Bain and Keldric Faulk are studs but will go top 10. TJ Parker will likely be gone. There's not much else. Quincy Rhodes has some upside, Matayo Uiagalelei is solid but doesn't excite. David Bailey (awful against the run), Cashius Howell (age, length, average atheticism), Romello Height and R Mason Thomas (undersized) are all probably limited to sub-rushers. Akheem Mesidor very exciting day 3 option.
I wouldn't mind to see the Pats address this in FA if the opportunity arises. Haason Reddick, Jaelan Phillips, Kwity Paye and Boye Mafe are some guys to keep an eye on who shouldn't break the bank.
LB:
Need=moderate/high. Robert Spillane has been solid and is under contract at reasonable cost through 2027, but there is a huge need opposite him. Christian Elliss is a liability as a starter, Jack Gibbens and Marte Mapu are depth guys, Javani Tavai is a JAG and doesn't fit the mold.
Draft Possibilities: The good news is that the position is under-valued, and the draft class is STACKED. Arvell Reese round 1 or Jake Golday round 2 would transform the entire defense. I really want one of them. Sonny Styles and Anthony Hill also very solid round 1-2 guys. Jaishawn Barham very intriguing day 2. Harold Perkins and Jacob Rodriguez very good day 3 options.
S:
Need=high. Craig Woodson looks like a draft steal and solid long-term starter, but that is about it. Jaylinn Hawkins doesn't cut it, Kyle Duggar doesn't fit and may never be what he was, Dell Pettus is a JAG. Weakest room on the team.
Draft Possibilities: The good news is that the position is under-valued, and the draft class is STACKED. Calendar Downs a stud, will likely be long gone. Dillon Thieneman or Zakee Wheatley day 2, or Amare Ferrell or Rod Moore day 3 would be great options to complement Craig Woodson as rangy, versatile FSs. Xavier Scott a CB/S hybrid option. Kamari Ramsey, Genesis Smith, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Jalen Kilgore and AJ Haulcy all intriguing, but in a different mold for what Vrabel seems to want.
CB:
Need=moderate. Christian Gonzalez is the franchise on defense, needs to be extended. Carlton Davis is a solid #2, under contract through 2027. Both Gonzalez and Davis are injury prone, so a solid 3rd outside CB is a need. Marcus Jones a stud as slot CB, but also injury prone, and needs to be extended asap. Charles Woods and Alex Austin very upgradeable.
Draft Possibilities: I don't really want to go CB in the 1st, but Mansoor Delane and Jerod McCoy (pending medicals) could be good value if available. Keith Abney, Chris Johnson and Colton Hood look like good day 2 options, Tacario Davis and Hezekiah Masses intriguing day 3. D'Angelo Ponds and Jontez Williams (injured) are intriguing slot guys. Jyaire Hill and Collin Wright interesting late round guys.
Special Teams:
This unit looks pretty set and very stable. Andy Borregales looks set, will hopefully develop into Ghost II. Bryce Baringer is terrific. Julian Ashby at LS and Brendan Schooler as gunner/Captain should be set. Marcus Jones at TreVeyon Henderson studs at PR/KR.
You can always add guys with ST skills, but this does not look to be a focus.
Coaching Staff:
NFL stands for Not For Long, but the Pats seem in really good shape here. Vrabel should be a 10+ year guy, and he sets the team identity and goals, and the defensive philosophy. McDaniels should be around at least long enough to complete Drake Maye's development, possibly longer. Terrell Austin's health a question mark. ST is solid.
The stability here is invaluable. It means (1) not switching around schemes or approaches, so that the team can identify and target players that fit, and (2) developing and coaching up those players. Good players can be ruined by poor/inconsistent coaching, and good coaching can take players to the next level.
Overall Outlook:
When you factor in the coaching staff, cap space, and stability at key positions, the Pats look to be in as good a long-term position as any team in the NFL. It's easy to get carried away, but at least the Dark Years seem to be in the past.
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