Evaluating 25 FA signings at midseason mark:

[One-If-By-Sea]

Great thread. Thanks.

Davis is very physical. As a CB that can be a detriment but in the playoffs the refs keep their flags in their pockets. Davis will be better and better as the season rolls on.

 

[Family]

Has there ever been a more successful offseason for FA signings? Maybe the Revis year.

And the draft was pretty good too.

 

[mgteich]

With very little on the market. Marcus Jones really is the major name. Chaisson could be another one playing himself into a bigger contract.

After that, Tonga, Hooper and Gibbens should all be able to come back at a reasonable prices. We’ll have plenty of money to make a few “last piece of the puzzle” type of moves.

This is a short list. PAY THEM!

I would try to extend as many of the 5 as possible during bye week.

Of course, Vrabel may find better players at similar prices, but I doubt it.
=========
MY NUMBER ONE PREDICTION
According to many posters, whoever of these that we sign will be overpaid.

 

[PatsFan2]

Has there ever been a more successful offseason for FA signings? Maybe the Revis year.

And the draft was pretty good too.

Agree the Draft could be considered Great: if those Two Speed Demons in the Second and Third rounds step up.

 

[Patsfan1645]

I still laugh at the narrative by a lot of people in the media that there is no way Williams could ever live up to his contract. He has more than lived up to his contract thus far. He may be the best player the Pats have on defense right now.

Yeah he is the best player on D. Early in the season I would have thought it would be Gonzalez but he hasnt looked like a shutdown corner to me so far this year. Its Williams and its not close.

 

[Joey007]

If this isn't an A+, then your evaluation system is flawed.

Vrabel took a 4-win team with 4-win talent and has made the patriots into a contender for the division THIS YEAR. He has done this without mortgaging the future and keeping enough 2026 cap money to be even better u 2026 and 2027.

Vrabel could be a contender for coach of the year.

You certainly can certainly say the management should have done more and paid less. That is patsfans tradition.

Seems a tad overzealous over what was basically an A- grade. That’s really really good.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

Yeah, I think the free agency outlook for New England in 2026 will be vastly different from the last few years. NE can make a few contract adjustments and end up near the top of the league in cap space again and really infuse some talent into the roster.

2 names stick out to me in next year's class on first glance:

1) BAL TE Isaiah Likely. Hooper is a FA and Henry getting up there in age. At 25 years old (26 next season), Likely gives you a good, solid option at the position to keep moving forward with. Plenty experienced in 2 TE sets too.

2) PHI LB Nakobe Dean. He broke out last year but he's just coming back now from a bad injury suffered in the playoffs. This is his "back up to speed year" so next year he should be back to top form. Another guy who will be 26 next year so you can sign him hoping he's a core starter moving forward.

I'd be surprised if they're overly active next year. They've done a good job of really stocking this roster with good baseline talent everywhere. They don't need to massively infuse the team with starters like they did last year. There aren't too many positions where they don't have an average starter so they can be selective and really pick out the young guys who actually improve the team now and are good guys to have moving forward.

 

[PatsFan2]

2 names stick out to me in next year's class on first glance:

1) BAL TE Isaiah Likely. Hooper is a FA and Henry getting up there in age. At 25 years old (26 next season), Likely gives you a good, solid option at the position to keep moving forward with. Plenty experienced in 2 TE sets too.

2) PHI LB Nakobe Dean. He broke out last year but he's just coming back now from a bad injury suffered in the playoffs. This is his "back up to speed year" so next year he should be back to top form. Another guy who will be 26 next year so you can sign him hoping he's a core starter moving forward.

I'd be surprised if they're overly active next year. They've done a good job of really stocking this roster with good baseline talent everywhere. They don't need to massively infuse the team with starters like they did last year. There aren't too many positions where they don't have an average starter so they can be selective and really pick out the young guys who actually improve the team now and are good guys to have moving forward.

Speaking of TE's how about him below in a Trade?? He was Drafted to be their #1 now he's their #2.

Luke Musgrave Career Stats - NFL - ESPN

Complete career NFL stats for Green Bay Packers Tight End Luke Musgrave on ESPN. Includes scoring, rushing, defensive and receiving stats.

www.espn.com

 

[Steve102]

Barefoot Mack Hollins, TD maker.

 

[mgteich]

Seems a tad overzealous over what was basically an A- grade. That’s really really good.

Yes, I am overzealous.

Vrabel and management had the best off-season in the history of the patriots and has coached the team into competition for the division in one year, even with injuries to Gonzo, Chaisson and others.

 

[PatsFan2]

Barefoot Mack Hollins, TD maker.

Steve!!

 

[Joey007]

2 names stick out to me in next year's class on first glance:

1) BAL TE Isaiah Likely. Hooper is a FA and Henry getting up there in age. At 25 years old (26 next season), Likely gives you a good, solid option at the position to keep moving forward with. Plenty experienced in 2 TE sets too.

2) PHI LB Nakobe Dean. He broke out last year but he's just coming back now from a bad injury suffered in the playoffs. This is his "back up to speed year" so next year he should be back to top form. Another guy who will be 26 next year so you can sign him hoping he's a core starter moving forward.

I'd be surprised if they're overly active next year. They've done a good job of really stocking this roster with good baseline talent everywhere. They don't need to massively infuse the team with starters like they did last year. There aren't too many positions where they don't have an average starter so they can be selective and really pick out the young guys who actually improve the team now and are good guys to have moving forward.

This is also going to be another deep RB free agency class. I would definitely go out and try and bring in an upgrade to Rhamondre to pair with Henderson.

 

[Toofy]

Agree on elevating Hollins ($4.2M AAV) and Bradbury ($4.6M AAV) primarily because their contributions far outweigh their compensation. Not that they're playing at an All Pro level but they are providing more than should reasonably be expected considering their price tags. When looking at the FA equation 'bang for the buck' always enters into it for me

Same with me too. Bradbury, Hollins and Moses need to be moved to top tier.

We need to evaluate them based on contract they had shined. They are outperforming significantly.

 

[PatsFan2]

Barefoot Mack Hollins, TD maker.

I see what Josh McDaniels is doing he's a Great OC: who can scheme players open like K Shanahan.

 

[mgteich]

2 names stick out to me in next year's class on first glance:

1) BAL TE Isaiah Likely. Hooper is a FA and Henry getting up there in age. At 25 years old (26 next season), Likely gives you a good, solid option at the position to keep moving forward with. Plenty experienced in 2 TE sets too.

2) PHI LB Nakobe Dean. He broke out last year but he's just coming back now from a bad injury suffered in the playoffs. This is his "back up to speed year" so next year he should be back to top form. Another guy who will be 26 next year so you can sign him hoping he's a core starter moving forward.

I'd be surprised if they're overly active next year. They've done a good job of really stocking this roster with good baseline talent everywhere. They don't need to massively infuse the team with starters like they did last year. There aren't too many positions where they don't have an average starter so they can be selective and really pick out the young guys who actually improve the team now and are good guys to have moving forward.

good names

Before the draft, I suspect that the off-season will be on signing or replacing our own and on addressing the safety position.

IMO, we need four position safeties for 2026. We have Woodson.

 

[mgteich]

Felt like it would be a good exercise to do a midseason report on this class. There hasn't been a single move so far that feels like a complete whiff. Nearly everyone has contributed decently in some way. Just to varying degrees

Moves that look great, A tier signings:

Milton Williams
Harold Landry
Stefon Diggs
Khyriris Tonga
K'Lavon Chaisson

Williams is looking like the dominant force we paid for. Landry and Diggs are both playing at a borderline Pro Bowl level. Chaisson and Tonga are playing much better than their contract values indicate. Both really good chess pieces. These so far are looking like great moves, although the Diggs contract will be interesting after this year.

Solid moves with reasonable production:

Robert Spillane
Garrett Bradbury
Morgan Moses
Jack Gibbens
Mack Hollins

Spillane has really picked up from his poor start and has become a steady presence in the middle. Just needs someone better beside him at LB to compliment his strengths better. Gibbens and Hollins both appear to be nice depth pieces that have been useful in rotational roles. Moses and Bradbury may be seen as debatable. But ultimately, they've at least been competent enough as starters to keep the house from burning down. For the somewhat modest contracts they are playing on, it's still a massive improvement from last year. They've created a sense of stability on the line that was badly needed.

The one questionable move so far would be the Carlton Davis contract. It has been pretty inconsistent play out of him so far. Make no mistake, he's still much better than playing Alex Austin. But with the money we're paying, you'd expect a high end CB2. We're more getting an average/slightly below average CB2 that gets injured frequently, which was probably something that should have been expected, given his history. Still time for him to improve, though. He's been a streaky CB over his career. It just hasn't appeared worth the money for the guy so far.

Total midseason grade is somewhere between a B+ and A-. Plenty of hits, no major whiffs so far out of this group. Really just one move that's looking questionable.

Thoughts?

I suppose the reason that you don't consider this an A group is that you put the following players in the 2nd group instead of the first.
SPILLANE
BRADBURY
MOSES
HOLLINS

I would put Davis in the second group. Playing opposite Gonzo means that QB's pick on you.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

good names

Before the draft, I suspect that the off-season will be on signing or replacing our own and on addressing the safety position.

IMO, we need four position safeties for 2026. We have Woodson.

No one really jumped out at me for the Safety spot. I wanted to list someone but I just didn't see anyone who made sense really. Agreed it's an area to target though. That's probably one of the only positions left on the team where throwing some depth options at it actually improves the depth chart really. For the most part, we have the "get by" guys in place and can be selective for actual upgrades and good longer term fits.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

This is also going to be another deep RB free agency class. I would definitely go out and try and bring in an upgrade to Rhamondre to pair with Henderson.

Another good position to target, yup. Although let's be honest about Stevenson/Henderson... right now if the goal is to win games you're talking about replacing Henderson for someone to pair with Rhamondre. Obviously there's that pesky fumble issue, but Stevenson otherwise has been good. Great pass pro, doing what he needs to do as a receiver and strong vision. They just haven't blocked well for him mostly. Henderson has been legit awful. We all love the potential but let's call a spade a spade and honestly evaluate how he's played so far - he sucks. I have faith he'll figure it out though.

Rachaad White stands out to me as a rushing and receiving back in free agency. Tyler Allgeier is more of a straight runner for that bell cow kind of role. I'd love to sign Allgeier as a guy to breakout away from ATL/Robinson (or break back out I should say as he's already been a solid starter), have Henderson as a speedier, receiving kind of back and Stevenson as a combo role type along with Gibson working his way back next year. BUT, if Henderson doesn't improve, a guy like White could be a better add to give you some of that multi faceted role that we're missing out on while Henderson is nothing for us right now. Have to see how that develops over the rest of this year to fully assess.

 

[PatsFan2]

Another good position to target, yup. Although let's be honest about Stevenson/Henderson... right now if the goal is to win games you're talking about replacing Henderson for someone to pair with Rhamondre. Obviously there's that pesky fumble issue, but Stevenson otherwise has been good. Great pass pro, doing what he needs to do as a receiver and strong vision. They just haven't blocked well for him mostly. Henderson has been legit awful. We all love the potential but let's call a spade a spade and honestly evaluate how he's played so far - he sucks. I have faith he'll figure it out though.

Rachaad White stands out to me as a rushing and receiving back in free agency. Tyler Allgeier is more of a straight runner for that bell cow kind of role. I'd love to sign Allgeier as a guy to breakout away from ATL/Robinson (or break back out I should say as he's already been a solid starter), have Henderson as a speedier, receiving kind of back and Stevenson as a combo role type along with Gibson working his way back next year. BUT, if Henderson doesn't improve, a guy like White could be a better add to give you some of that multi faceted role that we're missing out on while Henderson is nothing for us right now. Have to see how that develops over the rest of this year to fully assess.

Not gonna lie Tampa can Draft...they barely miss there.

 

[Joey007]

Another good position to target, yup. Although let's be honest about Stevenson/Henderson... right now if the goal is to win games you're talking about replacing Henderson for someone to pair with Rhamondre. Obviously there's that pesky fumble issue, but Stevenson otherwise has been good. Great pass pro, doing what he needs to do as a receiver and strong vision. They just haven't blocked well for him mostly. Henderson has been legit awful. We all love the potential but let's call a spade a spade and honestly evaluate how he's played so far - he sucks. I have faith he'll figure it out though.

Rachaad White stands out to me as a rushing and receiving back in free agency. Tyler Allgeier is more of a straight runner for that bell cow kind of role. I'd love to sign Allgeier as a guy to breakout away from ATL/Robinson (or break back out I should say as he's already been a solid starter), have Henderson as a speedier, receiving kind of back and Stevenson as a combo role type along with Gibson working his way back next year. BUT, if Henderson doesn't improve, a guy like White could be a better add to give you some of that multi faceted role that we're missing out on while Henderson is nothing for us right now. Have to see how that develops over the rest of this year to fully assess.

Breece Hall and Kenneth Walker also come to mind. I could see Hall wanting to stick it to the Jets.

Get him in on a 1 year prove it deal and let him feast.