My Ridiculously Early Start on a 2026 Offseason Plan

[Clonamery]

Manx, would you be interested if Alijah Vera-Tucker hits FA? Elite athleticism and upside, but injury prone - which is the main thing that would let him reach FA in the first place.

OL Scouting Notebook - Week 6

I will be studying and grading the offensive line for Bleacher Report’s coverage of the 2021 NFL Draft.

trenchwarfare.substack.com

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2931588-alijah-vera-tucker-nfl-draft-2021-scouting-report-for-new-york-jets-ol

• Injury history with Jets:
• 2021: Toe sprain in Week 9.
• 2022: Torn triceps in Week 7, which ended his season.
• 2023: Torn Achilles in Week 5, which also ended his season.
• • 2024: Ankle sprain in Week 8.
  • 2025: Season-ending triceps tear in the preseason.
  • Triceps injuries were not the same arm. Played in 43 games in 5 years.

 

[mayoclinic]

Yep.

That's why he will likely hit FA and not break the bank.

Not Wolverine-like wound healing abilities. But damn good when healthy.

A conundrum.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

• Injury history with Jets:
• 2021: Toe sprain in Week 9.
• 2022: Torn triceps in Week 7, which ended his season.
• 2023: Torn Achilles in Week 5, which also ended his season.
• • 2024: Ankle sprain in Week 8.
  • 2025: Season-ending triceps tear in the preseason.
  • Triceps injuries were not the same arm. Played in 43 games in 5 years.

Yep.

That's why he will likely hit FA and not break the bank.

Not Wolverine-like wound healing abilities. But damn good when healthy.

A conundrum.

Is he the same after the achilles? Can be a career ending injury.

 

[manxman2601]

Manx, would you be interested if Alijah Vera-Tucker hits FA? Elite athleticism and upside, but injury prone - which is the main thing that would let him reach FA in the first place.

OL Scouting Notebook - Week 6

I will be studying and grading the offensive line for Bleacher Report’s coverage of the 2021 NFL Draft.

trenchwarfare.substack.com

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2931588-alijah-vera-tucker-nfl-draft-2021-scouting-report-for-new-york-jets-ol

With that injury history you'd be looking at a 1 year prove it deal. However, it seems like he can't get through a season so while intrigued, I'd probably pass. But I just don't know enough when it comes to pro scouting so i'm probably not the person to ask.

 

[Clonamery]

Is he the same after the achilles? Can be a career ending injury.

I think one of the shortened seasons he did not play great (rust, etc.) but in others he played well enough. Being in NY I see more of those teams than I'd like to but you get a sense of how the players are valued without the fan input.

 

[stelfans]

My draft plan for the OL.

I'm not including FA although that needs to be part of the equation providing the right person is available (ie young-ish and good).

I just don't think Jared Wilson is good enough for LG. He's our worst graded OL and while this might just be rookie trials, he hasn't looked strong enough to me. I'm not counting him as a bust after just 10 games, but I think his future lies at C or as a quality 3 way backup across the interior of the OL. I think he battles Bradbury next pre-season.

1. Unless someone like Styles is available with our 1st pick, draft a LG. Ioane and Pregnon are my preferences. I like Siereveld, Cayden Green and Carter Smith as round 2 picks if we go elsewhere in the first. I give Ioane and Pregnon the advantage because there's no position switch involved.

2. I do want an athletic OL but after our inability to run against the Bucs interior, I'm tending more towards adding more strength and power. Iapane Laloulu has experience both at center and right guard. He has an elite pass blocking grade and while his run blocking grade isn't one of the best, at 329lbs, he has the strength and size to be a people mover. Bisontis could also be a possibility although he's not as big.

3. RT is my lowest priority. Moses has played well and, touch wood, has been injury free to date which was a concern as he'd missed time in his previous seasons. I'm not opposed to drafting a RT but between Moses and Marcus Bryant, I think we can wait another year if necessary. That doesn't mean I wouldn't draft one if a BPA situation arises.

So my OL might be

Campbell - Ioane/Pregnon - Bradbury/Wilson - Laloulu - Moses

The added benefit of this would be that Wilson can still backup LG and Laloulu could back up center. I'm reluctant to have too many rookies on the OL at one time so maybe Wilson and Laloulu battle for the RG spot.

Interesting approach.

At first i thought that is a big turnover, 2 new rookies on the line.. but then i saw that graph of how ineffective/bad this team has been running inside especially through the a gap (bradbury and ownenu). That's something that will need to be reevaluated at the end of the year but an upgrade is needed.

I mostly agree with you but a) i would try to keep ownenu on a paycut and b) i would go with Keylan Rutledge instead of Laloulu. Pregnon/Ioane and Rutledge would be a nasty duo inside.

 

[manxman2601]

Interesting approach.

At first i thought that is a big turnover, 2 new rookies on the line.. but then i saw that graph of how ineffective/bad this team has been running inside especially through the a gap (bradbury and ownenu). That's something that will need to be reevaluated at the end of the year but an upgrade is needed.

I mostly agree with you but a) i would try to keep ownenu on a paycut and b) i would go with Keylan Rutledge instead of Laloulu. Pregnon/Ioane and Rutledge would be a nasty duo inside.

In terms of draft value, Rutledge might be the pick if you want to go one early/one late. I do think Laloulu is the better prospect though ignoring draft position. I do like Rutledge as my later round option though.

 

[captain stone]

Just looking at the defense I’m pretty much right there with you.

Re-sign: Tonga, Chaisson, Hawkins and Gibbens

Cut: Jennings and Tavai

DL: Barmore, Williams, Tonga, Farmer and Durden

Edge: Landry, Chaisson, *high draft pick*, Ponder, Swinson/Murphy

LB: Spillane, Ellis, Gibbens, *mid draft pick*, Mapu

CB: Gonzalez, Davis, Jones, *mid draft pick*, Austin/Woods/someone else

S: Woodson, Hawkins, *mid/high draft pick, Pettus/Saunders

I'm surprised both of you are satisfied with the DTs already in the building. I want another big-time 0/1-Tech to help TongaParty, either via free agency or sometime during the draft but definitely before OTAs begin in May... I would also like to actually see what we have in Gregory during in-game situations before the season ends...

Agree with both on the rest of the defense, though I would prefer to double-up during the free agency/draft period on DE, Outside CB, Slot CB & Safety... Our depth in the secondary is already Non-existent, and there haven't even been any injuries yet.

 

[hornetfb85]

I'm surprised both of you are satisfied with the DTs already in the building. I want another big-time 0/1-Tech to help TongaParty, either via free agency or sometime during the draft but definitely before OTAs begin in May... I would also like to actually see what we have in Gregory during in-game situations before the season ends...

Agree with both on the rest of the defense, though I would prefer to double-up during the free agency/draft period on DE, Outside CB, Slot CB & Safety... Our depth in the secondary is already Non-existent, and there haven't even been any injuries yet.

Satisfied is about how I’d put it. Agree that I’d like to always be improving there, but just see other areas that need the upgrade more.

 

[manxman2601]

I'm surprised both of you are satisfied with the DTs already in the building. I want another big-time 0/1-Tech to help TongaParty, either via free agency or sometime during the draft but definitely before OTAs begin in May... I would also like to actually see what we have in Gregory during in-game situations before the season ends...

Agree with both on the rest of the defense, though I would prefer to double-up during the free agency/draft period on DE, Outside CB, Slot CB & Safety... Our depth in the secondary is already Non-existent, and there haven't even been any injuries yet.

I think Farmer and Durden have been more than adequate.

 

[captain stone]

My draft plan for the OL.

I'm not including FA although that needs to be part of the equation providing the right person is available (ie young-ish and good).

I just don't think Jared Wilson is good enough for LG. He's our worst graded OL and while this might just be rookie trials, he hasn't looked strong enough to me. I'm not counting him as a bust after just 10 games, but I think his future lies at C or as a quality 3 way backup across the interior of the OL. I think he battles Bradbury next pre-season.

1. Unless someone like Styles is available with our 1st pick, draft a LG. Ioane and Pregnon are my preferences. I like Siereveld, Cayden Green and Carter Smith as round 2 picks if we go elsewhere in the first. I give Ioane and Pregnon the advantage because there's no position switch involved.

2. I do want an athletic OL but after our inability to run against the Bucs interior, I'm tending more towards adding more strength and power. Iapane Laloulu has experience both at center and right guard. He has an elite pass blocking grade and while his run blocking grade isn't one of the best, at 329lbs, he has the strength and size to be a people mover. Bisontis could also be a possibility although he's not as big.

3. RT is my lowest priority. Moses has played well and, touch wood, has been injury free to date which was a concern as he'd missed time in his previous seasons. I'm not opposed to drafting a RT but between Moses and Marcus Bryant, I think we can wait another year if necessary. That doesn't mean I wouldn't draft one if a BPA situation arises.

So my OL might be

Campbell - Ioane/Pregnon - Bradbury/Wilson - Laloulu - Moses

However it shakes, by next May I want a new starting RG in the building. I'm sick of not getting push from the right side of the line during critical run downs, and of being schooled on stunts too often during critical passing downs.

Maybe we already have the RT of the Future here; maybe we don't... Shouldn't cost a whole lot to have one either way.

Same as this current year, I prefer to have a veteran starting LG next to Campbell; and Wilson as Bradbury's apprentice at Center. The Wilson kid really shouldn't even be playing at all now, based on his ridiculously little college experience. This should've been a red-shirt year for him.

The added benefit of this would be that Wilson can still backup LG and Laloulu could back up center. I'm reluctant to have too many rookies on the OL at one time so maybe Wilson and Laloulu battle for the RG spot.

Wilson is Not a RG. His athleticism belongs on the left side, or better still in the Middle.

 

[captain stone]

Manx, would you be interested if Alijah Vera-Tucker hits FA? Elite athleticism and upside, but injury prone - which is the main thing that would let him reach FA in the first place.

OL Scouting Notebook - Week 6

I will be studying and grading the offensive line for Bleacher Report’s coverage of the 2021 NFL Draft.

trenchwarfare.substack.com

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2931588-alijah-vera-tucker-nfl-draft-2021-scouting-report-for-new-york-jets-ol

I would love to see him at LG next year between Campbell & Bradbury/Wilson... But only if the Price is Right.

 

[captain stone]

I think Farmer and Durden have been more than adequate.

As 3-Techs maybe.

 

[rkarp1]

without getting too many riled up, watching two #1's and a player for Sauce.
if Gonzo is intent on setting the CB market, does that return interest you?
me? I would sign him to the top contract. you?

 

[manxman2601]

without getting too many riled up, watching two #1's and a player for Sauce.
if Gonzo is intent on setting the CB market, does that return interest you?
me? I would sign him to the top contract. you?

I think he's too good. Bear in mind, a team trading for him would likely be a contender so they'd probably be late firsts. If he's asking for too much money and we've got a replacement in place then sure but remember, we'd be losing Carlton Davis in the same time frame so that would be two starting CBs we'd have to find.

 

[mayoclinic]

I think we need another outside CB for depth. We're not going to weaken the position, unless things somehow turned ugly, which I think is pretty unlikely.

 

[BobDigital]

Not to overreact to any single game, but i have some thoughts that have been brewing.

Is LB the need we thought it was. It was believed we need to 100% draft an LB top 2 rounds for a while. While this is still a possibility. Spillane turns 30 this year. He will probably be good the rest of his 3 year contract. Elliss and Gibbens are both 26 right now. Given how they have come around, I kind of would like to hold onto both. I don't think our LB play is bad at the moment. Tavai/Mapu are sign in next year too. Mapu is an easy cut contract wise. Tavai while he doesn't play much still gives some decent snaps, and is it worth eating 3.5M to save 2M when the player is doing okay on the field and is fine in he locker room? I don't think so.

The only LB not signed for next year of this group is Gibbens. I'm kind of okay with this core. Give Mapu his papers and see if you can maybe develop a young raw lower draft pick in the 5th or 6th with that spot before splurging on a top pick. That wouldn't be a bad idea.

Of course this all depends whose available, but it is worth considering. If LB isn't seen as a big need next year it frees you up to focus more on OL early if you choose to maybe double dip for a second year. Still like a FA though.

Speaking of needs. Hawkins certainly has stepped up recently. Do i believe this is what he will be from here on out? No. But it is possible with the new defensive system he is a better fit. So maybe we have both starting safeties for next year if we resign Hawkins and that isn't the worst thing in the world?

DE is a huge need too. But if Ponder continues to build on his recent success how would we feel about that 3some of Chaisson/Landry/Ponder. If Ponder takes a year 2 step up after a reasonably strong finish.

The main point being, many of what we consider to be the top weaknesses of the team are trending upwards. Does that give any pause to plans and thoughts?

 

[manxman2601]

Not to overreact to any single game, but i have some thoughts that have been brewing.

Is LB the need we thought it was. It was believed we need to 100% draft an LB top 2 rounds for a while. While this is still a possibility. Spillane turns 30 this year. He will probably be good the rest of his 3 year contract. Elliss and Gibbens are both 26 right now. Given how they have come around, I kind of would like to hold onto both. I don't think our LB play is bad at the moment. Tavai/Mapu are sign in next year too. Mapu is an easy cut contract wise. Tavai while he doesn't play much still gives some decent snaps, and is it worth eating 3.5M to save 2M when the player is doing okay on the field and is fine in he locker room? I don't think so.

The only LB not signed for next year of this group is Gibbens. I'm kind of okay with this core. Give Mapu his papers and see if you can maybe develop a young raw lower draft pick in the 5th or 6th with that spot before splurging on a top pick. That wouldn't be a bad idea.

Of course this all depends whose available, but it is worth considering. If LB isn't seen as a big need next year it frees you up to focus more on OL early if you choose to maybe double dip for a second year. Still like a FA though.

Speaking of needs. Hawkins certainly has stepped up recently. Do i believe this is what he will be from here on out? No. But it is possible with the new defensive system he is a better fit. So maybe we have both starting safeties for next year if we resign Hawkins and that isn't the worst thing in the world?

DE is a huge need too. But if Ponder continues to build on his recent success how would we feel about that 3some of Chaisson/Landry/Ponder. If Ponder takes a year 2 step up after a reasonably strong finish.

The main point being, many of what we consider to be the top weaknesses of the team are trending upwards. Does that give any pause to plans and thoughts?

I am increasingly of the opinion that we re-sign as many defensive players as possible and then draft for depth/long-term development. No need to rush anyone prematurely into being starters. Fo example, I'm happier about taking a CB higher despite having three starters in place (maybe not day 1, but day 2 is OK).

For me this draft should focus on OL, pass rush and defensive BPA in whatever order. But that does require bringing back Chaisson, Tonga and Hawkins.

 

[manxman2601]

When considering who the Patriots will draft

 

[manxman2601]

Thinking about some obvious replacements for players who are out of contract for now or are getting older and will need long-term replacements at some stage. Obviously I hope some of the out of contract guys are re-signed.

1. K'Laivon Chaisson - David Bailey was the obvious one but that's increasingly a pipe dream. There are a number of others that I haven't decided between. Leaning towards Cashius Howell or R Mason Thomas.

2. Anfernee Jennings - Mesidor obviously.

3. Jaylinn Hawkins - I haven't decided on one or two people yet. Wheatley and Mcdonald are obvious early favourites but I really need to study the field. Lots of choice.

4. Stefon Diggs - Makai Lemon if he falls.

5, Mack Hollins - Denzel Boston. That one's easy. Like for like replacement.

6. Mike Onwenu - Iapani Laloulu, Emmanuel Pregnon

7. Garrett Bradbury - Jared Wilson

8. Jared Wilson - Vega Ioane, Carter Smith, Cayden Green

9. Morgan Moses - Too many possibilities. No final decision yet.

10. Christian Elliss - Sonny Styles, Jake Golday

11. Jack Gibbens - Jacob Rodriguez

12. Charles Woods - Keionte Scott

13. Khyris Tonga - Lee Hunter