Content Post Idle thoughts: the "NEXT" edition.

[PancakeBlockPaul]

Nice post Ken! What a difference competence makes eh??!? Trading for a wr when we are doing good and guys are progressing/getting better may send a message that the coaches etc don’t believe in them I feel. Being the young group they are I think they should keep playing the ones that keep producing. **** extend Diggs maybe which could send the message of you produce, we pay you more. They’re more than likely going to hit a wall when we play some better teams, not that the bildos are bad…browns d is decent so this week will be a good litmus.

 

[FoxboroFan23]

AJ Brown is under contract for next year. For 30 million dollars. An extension would cost even more. He would be 29 at the start of 2026. He would be 31 and in the back end of his prime, if we're lucky, by the time Maye hits his option year.

I did not say 'NFL Teams don't trade high picks for a WR'. I have no idea where you got that from.

The Eagles traded a first round pick for AJ Brown because...wait for it...they were in championship contention and were a WR away from putting them over the top. They had a great offensive line, a competent QB, another young WR who was a #1, and a sick defense. The Patriots are definitely not that. You say 'safety is the only hole', which, isn't true, linebacker is barely competent at the NFL level, there's no depth at corner, no depth at edge rusher, and right tackle is also a major need. Morgan Moses is below average. An NFL player, which is an upgrade over last year, but still below average.

You're absolutely right that they should capitalize on Maye and Campbell still on rookie contracts. That's the point. That doesn't mean you push all your chips in with a very flawed roster in year 2 of Maye's contract.

Look at the Dolphins, it's a perfect example, because it's exactly what they did. They mortgaged their future with Tua on a rookie contract, and traded for Tyreek Hill, when Jaylen Waddle was already on the roster, and signed him to a monster contract. And did the same with Bradley Chubb. And Jalen Ramsey and MInkah Fitzpatrick.

The result? One playoff appearance, zero playoff wins, and 2 years down the road, 1-6 this year, in complete cap hell, and no hope for the future. Ramsey and Fitzpatrick both traded away. No depth. Oh, and Tua for 4 years, 218 million, because they don't have the draft capital to improve the position.

But they were awesome for 6 weeks in 2023.

I agree that safety, DE, LB, OL all need help but so does WR. You can't complain about depth at the other positions and ignore the lack of depth at WR.

Disagree on CB. We have one of the best groups in the league. Complaining about the 4th corner is silly. No team in the league is confident when their 4th corner is on the field. Austin is fine if he isn't starting.

I suggested trading 1 pick for 1 player. It is not a crippling move. There will be more assets to acquire other players after the trade. Both cap space and draft picks.

It doesn't matter what path you chose, there will always be risk. Drafting a player brings a high level of risk. Signing FAs has an element of risk. Trades bring risk. Drafting is by far the riskiest play though. Highest chance of spending assets on a player who doesn't perform.

 

[Ring 6]

Panic? Come on. I'm hoping to have some real conversation but people can't freak out over a difference of opinion.

Let me say this. I wanted no part of Jakobi Meyers, Davante Adams or Amari Cooper. I was skeptical of the Diggs signing because of his age and injury. I am not advocating to mortgage the future, trade for a half season rental or chase any and every WR on the market.

AJ Brown is a different situation worth pursuing

What are you giving up for the right to pay brown 30 million plus when our WR group now is putting up 85 catches in 111 targets (76.6% catch rate which is unheard of and likely the best in nfl history btw) for 1069 yards and 8 TDs. If we assume they are the target on both of Mayes ints that is a 122.5 passer rating when throwing to WRs.

Our offense employs 2.38 WRs per snap.

The 7 games stats project to 206 for 2596 and 19 TDs.

So if AJ Brown came in and played every down he would have to put up full season numbers of 87/1091/8 just to equal what we are getting.

How much more than that are you going to get for a boatload of money and draft picks?

FYI AJ Brown currently projects to 70/959/7

Also by the way:
AJ Brown 388 snaps played 51 targets 29/395/3
Kayshon Boutte 317 snaps played 25 targets 20/356/4

How is that worth big $ and picks?

 

[maust]

So you’re telling me my STFU was too gentle?

I'm willing to tell you that if no one else does
Noobs ought to at least earn their spurs before they start digging 'em in, especially on as seasoned and respected a guy as Ken, Coming from a noob the nursing home crack was straight up disrespectful to him.

 

[TommyD4207]

I agree that safety, DE, LB, OL all need help but so does WR. You can't complain about depth at the other positions and ignore the lack of depth at WR.

Disagree on CB. We have one of the best groups in the league. Complaining about the 4th corner is silly. No team in the league is confident when their 4th corner is on the field. Austin is fine if he isn't starting.

I suggested trading 1 pick for 1 player. It is not a crippling move. There will be more assets to acquire other players after the trade. Both cap space and draft picks.

It doesn't matter what path you chose, there will always be risk. Drafting a player brings a high level of risk. Signing FAs has an element of risk. Trades bring risk. Drafting is by far the riskiest play though. Highest chance of spending assets on a player who doesn't perform.

You'll have to prove to me that WR needs help. I don't see it. I see four guys who get open and make catches all over the place.

 

[dliverey44]

Panic? Come on. I'm hoping to have some real conversation but people can't freak out over a difference of opinion.

Let me say this. I wanted no part of Jakobi Meyers, Davante Adams or Amari Cooper. I was skeptical of the Diggs signing because of his age and injury. I am not advocating to mortgage the future, trade for a half season rental or chase any and every WR on the market.

AJ Brown is a different situation worth pursuing

I already explained why I am against the AJ Brown trade, but I will play. The cap could be finagled to make the AJ Brown contract work for next year, but figure you need to move a 2nd rounder for him. So we go into the draft with a 1st, 3rd and 2 4ths as highish picks. All doable.

For me the question is in 2026 does a premium WR outweigh the need for a better Safety to pair with Woodson, an upgrade next to Spillane or upgrades for Bradbury, Moses and possibly Owenu? They are all under contract next year, but if they can not produce a run game the team will not be a factor in the playoffs, especially if playing in bad weather which we will get in Nov/Dec.

For me that answer is no, while our OL has pass blocked decently well (Maye has been sacked 22 times which is tied for 2nd most, some are on Maye but not that many) they do not run block well at all, so it would behoove the team more imo to continue upgrading the OL. That money and pick used for Brown could possibly fill 2 holes and that would improve the team more imo.

If they want to make a trade using the 2nd rounder, I would look at S or youngish C, RG or RT. Personally I would rather go into the draft having the 2nd round pick. I view OL, Safety and Off ball LB to be much bigger needs than WR. Going into 2026 with Diggs, Booty, Pop and Williams isn't a dire as going into it with Bradbury, Owenu and Moses.

That is my reasoning for not wanting to trade for a WR. I also don't really understand the desire for an expensive big name WR over improving other areas.

 

[Ring 6]

Digging deeper on the stats.
The Eagles have 2 stud WRs just what every team should want right?

Here are WR stats this years

Patriots 111 targets 85 rec 1069 yards 8 TDs
Eagles. 113 targets 69 rec. 1028 yards 5 TDs

Bengals you say? Chase Higgins etc

150 targets 95 rec 1137 yards 9 TD
Over 35% more targets for 12% more catches 6% more yards and 1 TD

 

[WhatJustHappened]

Fantasy Football...
Quickest ignore I've ever done, fkr didn't even last a week.

 

[Ring 6]

I already explained why I am against the AJ Brown trade, but I will play. The cap could be finagled to make the AJ Brown contract work for next year, but figure you need to move a 2nd rounder for him. So we go into the draft with a 1st, 3rd and 2 4ths as highish picks. All doable.

For me the question is in 2026 does a premium WR outweigh the need for a better Safety to pair with Woodson, an upgrade next to Spillane or upgrades for Bradbury, Moses and possibly Owenu? They are all under contract next year, but if they can not produce a run game the team will not be a factor in the playoffs, especially if playing in bad weather which we will get in Nov/Dec.

For me that answer is no, while our OL has pass blocked decently well (Maye has been sacked 22 times which is tied for 2nd most, some are on Maye but not that many) they do not run block well at all, so it would behoove the team more imo to continue upgrading the OL. That money and pick used for Brown could possibly fill 2 holes and that would improve the team more imo.

If they want to make a trade using the 2nd rounder, I would look at S or youngish C, RG or RT. Personally I would rather go into the draft having the 2nd round pick. I view OL, Safety and Off ball LB to be much bigger needs than WR. Going into 2026 with Diggs, Booty, Pop and Williams isn't a dire as going into it with Bradbury, Owenu and Moses.

That is my reasoning for not wanting to trade for a WR. I also don't really understand the desire for an expensive big name WR over improving other areas.

I’m ok with our LBs. Spillane is playing well. Gibbens is pushing Elliss out and Tavai and Mapu are good role players.
I would absolutely trade the 2nd round pick for a S that’s good enough to warrant a 2 if one were available.
No one is trading OL. But the OL will get better as they gel.
The biggest thing isn’t the pick really it’s the opportunity cost of using that much cap space to try to upgrade a unit that is producing as well as any WR room in the league.

 

[Ring 6]

You'll have to prove to me that WR needs help. I don't see it. I see four guys who get open and make catches all over the place.

See the stats I posted. We may have he must productive WR room in the NFL

 

[n1997y]

I'm willing to tell you that if no one else does
Noobs ought to at least earn their spurs before they start digging 'em in, especially on as seasoned and respected a guy as Ken, Coming from a noob the nursing home crack was straight up disrespectful to him.

Oh. Um. You mean that crack was at Ken not me? Oh. Never mind. I take it all back.
(jk I dont really take any of it back)

 

[n1997y]

I’m ok with our LBs. Spillane is playing well. Gibbens is pushing Elliss out and Tavai and Mapu are good role players.

I like the way Elliss is pushing back on that.
Steel sharpens steel.

 

[Gumby]

I don't care man I work construction I hear stuff 10x worse on the daily. I thought Ken took a few shots at younger people in his post and given that, it was fair game for a little good natured ribbing. I honestly didn't think it was that big of a deal.

I wasn't hiding from responses. I try not to post too much during work.

Am I wrong about the WR / skill position issue being a generational thing? I think my comment is spot on.

I stand by what I said. I absolutely would make trades to improve the roster including at WR. I don't agree with the idea the Patriots should punt on the season. I remember about 25 years winning the Super Bowl with a second year QB. There have been other teams in recent NFL history to win a superbowl with a rookie contract QB. Russell Wilson in Seattle, I believe Flacco and Eli Manning too, tho I'm not 100%.

All good then, I took it that way & responded in kind.

There is some of what you say in the generational thing: those of us who remember who „she“ was, may be more sour on expending such a portion of the cap on divas.

I personally was just thinking S and RB depth were more important issues. (similar to Ken) Vrabel obviously thinks Edge is even more important or he wouldn’t have picked up that PS player this week.

 

[patfanken]

Why is it a bad idea. I think it's been established majority of the board is against upgrading the WR position. Nobody has made an argument for why that is.

I think everyone is OK with upgrading EVERY position if possible. However at this particular time there should be a priority of where and how much you spend the assets to find those upgrades, and right now WR isn't high on that priority list, especially since the ones we have right now have been very effective. Plus you have to consider the time it would take for the player to learn the offense and get in a rhythm with the QB from scratch. If you feel you need to upgrade the WR position just wait until FA and the draft, there will be plenty of good prospects there. Meanwhile there are more pressing issues elsewhere at the trade deadline.

 

[Taxed in Maine]

Why is it a bad idea. I think it's been established majority of the board is against upgrading the WR position. Nobody has made an argument for why that is.

It's a Fantasy Football mentality. There's at least six positions that I could think of to get an upgrade or better backup other than WR.

 

[Ring 6]

Why is it a bad idea. I think it's been established majority of the board is against upgrading the WR position. Nobody has made an argument for why that is.

I have

 

[rkarp1]

I am against AJ Brown in season. that's a disruptive jolt to the WR group, and long term is a benefit, but may be a deterrent this season.

I agree with needed RB and DB depth.
We did see Jennings step up Sunday. We also saw Dugger playing 100% of the defensive snaps, and 48% of the ST snaps, so perhaps he is rounding into health. We also saw Mapu step up in that big nickel spot and make plays.

I am fine with Austin as that 4th CB depth, but the team struggles with speed WR's, and if a speed DB came available, I would have strong interest.
If Achane or Breece Hall were available, I would also have strong interest

I would not move a day 1 or 2 draft pick for a mid season trade.

 

[TommyD4207]

They aren't trading for Brown or Olave. They will be looking for diamond in the rough kinda guys for late round picks or pick swaps. Young, cost controlled dude that either need a change of scenery or are misused etc.

Here's the thing. You can talk me into Olave. Bringing in Olave in the offseason makes a ton of sense if free agency goes well in other places, and the picture gets more clear for draft time.

 

[Water Boy]

Is this a jokif.

Not for the first time today it occurs to me we really do need a sarcasm font and a symbol that denotes *the following is posted ironically/sardonically*

The humorous effect of sarcasm is watered down if you have to put a disclaimer on it, but sometimes I guess its needed.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

I like the way Elliss is pushing back on that.
Steel sharpens steel.

Isn’t it funny that “Steel sharpens steel” is such a commonly used phrase, but it’s actually not true.
Steel does not in fact sharpen steel.
I’m a nerd, carry on