CURRENT ROSTER NEEDS

[upstater1]

Long term I agree.

Bedard, after going through the tape from Sunday's game, said the Moses played very well - maybe our best olineman last game. We have Bryant learning behind Moses. I am not sure that RT is our #1 short term need.

I have no idea about Bryant. The coaches do. But assuming he's just a backup capable guy, we need a RT more than anything (given Moses's age) to protect Maye. It's the single most important goal for this football team, and we have a 33 year old on his last legs.

 

[JoeSixPat]

I have no idea about Bryant. The coaches do. But assuming he's just a backup capable guy, we need a RT more than anything (given Moses's age) to protect Maye. It's the single most important goal for this football team, and we have a 33 year old on his last legs.

Moses is here on a decent 3 year contract that is more like 2 years $15 million - so such that he continues to be the best RT I'd think he;d be here next season with the focus on him mentoring whoever they think the RT of the future is.

Given that the Pats won't be anywhere near the Top 10 in draft order, I'd think RT is going to be good value in the 2026 draft.

Heck - the window for NFL teams to win seems to be based on them getting maximum value out of rookie contracts that would otherwise be outrageously high cap hits - supplementing the team with expensive free agents to fill strategic gaps.

Just think of what the Pats are saving compared to teams that are paying Top 5 QBs and LTs Top 5 salaries.

Maye and Campbell alone could be costing $50 mil and $25 mil a season respectively. That salary can go to other high priority free agents while they are under their rookie contracts.

 

[The Gr8est]

I think the Murphy pick up was a nice move by Vrabel.

I heard from some source that Chargers fans were not happy with the move. They didn’t like losing Murphy.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

O-line help would be fantastic. Sort of tired of saying that LOL... I remember the days when Scar just molded decent talent into an elite (or close) unit

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I have no idea about Bryant. The coaches do. But assuming he's just a backup capable guy, we need a RT more than anything (given Moses's age) to protect Maye. It's the single most important goal for this football team, and we have a 33 year old on his last legs.

I think the whole right side has to be overhauled. The best OLs = best winning records in the NFL

 

[upstater1]

I think the whole right side has to be overhauled. The best OLs = best winning records in the NFL

Onwenu is not long for New England, not at his current pay.

You probably could get an All-Pro guard signed for what he's getting paid.

 

[TommyD4207]

Onwenu is not long for New England, not at his current pay.

You probably could get an All-Pro guard signed for what he's getting paid.

B-but his PFF grades...

 

[upstater1]

B-but his PFF grades...

Don't get me wrong. I like him a lot. We can do a lot worse.

But... $25m salary next year?

Cutting him would spread his cap hit over 2 years to $3.75m per year.

Hmmmm, what do I do? Take a $3.75m chargeoff or pay him $25m.

I would not be surprised to see him get a $15m contract at some other team. Teams are desperate for guards.

So, if the Patriots could rework his deal, perhaps extend him 3 years for $45m or so... that would be the best solution.

 

[TheRainMaker]

G, C, RT, LB, at least a FS, RB, WR.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Don't get me wrong. I like him a lot. We can do a lot worse.

But... $25m salary next year?

Cutting him would spread his cap hit over 2 years to $3.75m per year.

Hmmmm, what do I do? Take a $3.75m chargeoff or pay him $25m.

I would not be surprised to see him get a $15m contract at some other team. Teams are desperate for guards.

So, if the Patriots could rework his deal, perhaps extend him 3 years for $45m or so... that would be the best solution.

He's gone after this season. $25M is way too much for such a mediocre G. The Pats have their out after this season and they will take it.

 

[Real fan 02]

I heard from some source that Chargers fans were not happy with the move. They didn’t like losing Murphy.

He will be one of those players that with more opportunities to play can have an impact. Can never have to many rushers.

 

[mgteich]

Moses is here on a decent 3 year contract that is more like 2 years $15 million - so such that he continues to be the best RT I'd think he;d be here next season with the focus on him mentoring whoever they think the RT of the future is.

Given that the Pats won't be anywhere near the Top 10 in draft order, I'd think RT is going to be good value in the 2026 draft.

Heck - the window for NFL teams to win seems to be based on them getting maximum value out of rookie contracts that would otherwise be outrageously high cap hits - supplementing the team with expensive free agents to fill strategic gaps.

Just think of what the Pats are saving compared to teams that are paying Top 5 QBs and LTs Top 5 salaries.

Maye and Campbell alone could be costing $50 mil and $25 mil a season respectively. That salary can go to other high priority free agents while they are under their rookie contracts.

I have zero knowledge of the 2026 draft. My strong, strong guess is that a RT won't be the BPA for us when we pick. The BPA is much more likely to be LB or TE.

 

[Drunken Cicerone]

Find me somebody who’s a reliable RB and maybe another guy who can block for him.

Another EDGE, but even a mediocre to decent one will probably cost you a haul

 

[upstater1]

He's gone after this season. $25M is way too much for such a mediocre G. The Pats have their out after this season and they will take it.

They could rework it. They could say, look, you're not getting more than $15m on the open market. So here's a contract offer.

The incentive for the Patriots is that they wouldn't have to immediately eat the guarantee. If they budgeted $15m for a RG, it will cost them even more to sign a replacement once you figure in Onwenu's dead money. So for both parties to best idea would be to redo the contract.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

They could rework it. They could say, look, you're not getting more than $15m on the open market. So here's a contract offer.

The incentive for the Patriots is that they wouldn't have to immediately eat the guarantee. If they budgeted $15m for a RG, it will cost them even more to sign a replacement once you figure in Onwenu's dead money. So for both parties to best idea would be to redo the contract.

With a max weight clause

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Mapu played more than Tavai or Elliss. Remember Mapu is switching from safety to LB and his playing time has steadily increased. From Sports Illustrated:

Few, if any, New England Patriots defenders made more of his playing time than Marte Mapu. the third-year hybrid defensive back-turned- linebacker aligned on a season-high 20 snaps. Mapu led the team with eight total tackles, while also contributing one pass break-up.

Mapu left the team in tackles while Spillane played twice as many snaps.

 

[n1997y]

if he is ever even active
We do need perspective regarding our #10 or #11 LB (depending on how you count White).
BTW, I think that this was a very good signing. Jennings can now go.

I’m going to be interested to see if Caleb plays this week, and how many D snaps, not just ST.

 

[n1997y]

Long term I agree.

Bedard, after going through the tape from Sunday's game, said the Moses played very well - maybe our best olineman last game. We have Bryant learning behind Moses. I am not sure that RT is our #1 short term need.

RT is not a short term need, and may not be a need at all if Moses has another year left in the tanks and/or mentors Bryant into a quality successor. It looks quite possible that Moses might still be here next season, and then it’s up to Bryantbto beat him out as starter and have him spend the twilight of his career as a high quality backup. That scenario seems very possible to me.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Woodson is improving and I think Dugger played 100% of the snaps last game. I just feel a coverage ILB is more of the need then S.

Mapu is playing more and more every game. He now leads Tavai and Elliss in snap counts. Mapu lead the team in tackles against the Titans AND defended a pass. Mapu might help filling the coverage LB slot.

 

[n1997y]

O-line help would be fantastic. Sort of tired of saying that LOL... I remember the days when Scar just molded decent talent into an elite (or close) unit

I don’t think it’s realistic to expect any decent OL will be available for midseason trade. They’re too scarce.
If one were available there would then be the challenge of assimilating them into a stable unit that has been playing together well for a third of the season. Cohesion and consistency are a big deal for OL quality play, and swapping in a new player may mean taking a step back temporarily even if he’s an upgrade regarding pure talent. So I’m just not seeing an OL addition as realistic before the off season.