a quick look at 2026 FA

[Toofy]

His cap hit is $25M. It would be idiotic to keep him at that number.

Restructure him for 3 years 40 million 12-14 million gtd.

He is not gonna make more than 5 million in FA. Dead cap is 7 million . So we pay him another 7 million. Unless you feel you want to take a shot with a younger free agent.

I expect competition to come and then onwenu has to prove his worth. What's the deal with wallace . Any hopes

 

[Toofy]

I think we could definitely upgrade on Stevenson.

I’m all for Hall. My only concern is the Jets might tag him to keep him from signing in division.

Tag is 15 million . No way can they tag and trade.

 

[Grogan14]

Nope. Onwenu has been above average this year.

Holy crap look at Strange. Good thing they released him

 

[rkarp1]

Oh look, a PFF cultist.

Welp, I'll be on my way.

PFF sucks. unless their grades agree with my agenda on players performance

 

[hornetfb85]

Vrabel is not going to create 2 holes by cutting Onwenu and Moses. Cutting Moses would be unwise. He’s been fine and is a great mentor for the RT we draft to replace him. They will try to alter Onwenus contract, but won’t cut him. Could see them cutting Bradbury and shifting Wilson to C. Then drafting or signing a LG.

 

[Edelmania]

If I had to pick one outside FA to sign I would get Bills LG David Edwards, release Bradbury, and move Wilson to center. Upgrades two positions. Devin Lloyd would also be a great pickup but I don't think its very likely he actually makes it to FA.

I thought it would be a good year to grab a FS in free agency, but with the way Hawkins has been playing if he can keep it up I think we just resign him and maybe add depth in the draft.

Obviously resign the Tonga Truck

Resign Chaisson, I think he's a great fit culture wise as well as on the field. I could see him walking due to money though, hopefully hell be affordable. If he walks we absolutely have to sign a startable edge guy.

Resign Hooper as well. Solid backup/role player, keep rolling with Henry & Hooper, just draft someone to sit in the wings.

Hopefully Onwenu will take a paycut, if he refuses I would eat the cost unless they feel confident they can find another starter in FA at a better value. Don't want to go into the draft with no answer at RG, keep our options open on draft day.

I would not sign a RB. Mondre with his contract is not going anywhere next year, Gibson is still under contract, and Henderson is breaking out. Keep that group, hope Gibson returns to form, & just draft a RB in the mid/late rounds.

Draft should always be BPA within reason. My top positional targets however would be Edge & LB. Also think we should target OL, TE, RB, S, and CB at some point.

 

[Toofy]

One thing I am sure, don't draft or sign a high cost WR . We are okay with what we have . Just develop the chemistry more with Drake and hope Williams takes the next gear . If Drake can master the intermediate and short routes. I expect Chism to flourish . Larison will come back next season. No need to overextend on RB.

Hawkins is phenomenal - resign him.
.resign chaisson if we can get him for 10 -15 million a year .

Onwenu will most likely be cut . I am presuming we could find a decent guard in free agency or draft . I am more confident of the scouts now than before.

Resign Tonga, Hawkins , hooper and chaisson . Extend gonzo and potentially Boutte . Henry cap hit is relatively small for the value he provides. So continue on with that.

But we need a developmental blocking TE who can also play special teams . So draft one with good blocking and above average pass catching capabilities.

Draft BPA in first 3 -4 rounds - FS, LB,OL and CB in no particular order.

 

[mgteich]

ONWENU isn't a free agent, The team can cut him if they wish. He has no incentive to sign a discounted contract with the patriots.
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The issue is not a player issue. It is a team issue, If the team wishes to sign Onwenu to a new contract, the price starts at the current level contract level for 2026 with the salary put in a signing bonus. If the team want him for only one year, they can add void years or have a contract with a second-year option bonus.
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I think that the most likely scenario is for the team to look into early free agency and then make a decision of Onwenu. If the team can't find a suitable replacement, Onwenu should be willing to sign a contract with a void year or two, or with a March 2027 option) while expecting to draft a RG, and perhaps even try out Wallace.

 

[Edelmania]

ONWENU isn't a free agent, The team can cut him if they wish. He has no incentive to sign a discounted contract with the patriots.
=========
The issue is not a player issue. It is a team issue, If the team wishes to sign Onwenu to a new contract, the price starts at the current level contract level for 2026 with the salary put in a signing bonus. If the team want him for only one year, they can add void years or have a contract with a second-year option bonus.
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I think that the most likely scenario is for the team to look into early free agency and then make a decision of Onwenu. If the team can't find a suitable replacement, Onwenu should be willing to sign a contract with a void year or two, or with a March 2027 option) while expecting to draft a RT (and try out Bryant).

It's not unheard of for players to take a straight up paycut. I know we've done it before.

If the Patriots want him only at a lower number, and he wants to remain a Patriot, and doesn't believe he'd make much more on the open market than the salary they want him to cut down to, then a paycut could make sense for both sides.

For example he has 17.5M of non-guarenteed money on his contract for next year. Say his agent projects he would only get about 13M on the open market - He could agree to lower his salary by ~4.5M to remain a Patriot instead of chasing that number from another team in FA.

 

[mgteich]

It's not unheard of for players to take a straight up paycut. I know we've done it before.

If the Patriots want him only at a lower number, and he wants to remain a Patriot, and doesn't believe he'd make much more on the open market than the salary they want him to cut down to, then a paycut could make sense for both sides.

For example he has 17.5M of non-guarenteed money on his contract for next year. Say his agent projects he would only get about 13M on the open market - He could agree to lower his salary by ~4.5M to remain a Patriot instead of chasing that number from another team in FA.

Onwenu isn't a free agent.

Essentially, the team would team to offer the deal or threaten to cut him.

I don't see team cutting him unless they are sure what they can get in free agency.

 

[Edelmania]

Onwenu isn't a free agent.

Essentially, the team would team to offer the deal or threaten to cut him.

I don't see team cutting him unless they are sure what they can get in free agency.

Right, I know hes not a free agent, never said or inferred that he was. I also completely agree with that last sentiment, I dont want to head into the draft with no answer at RG. I'm just saying with his current contract a paycut is a possibility if they decide he would otherwise be released and he wants to stay.

 

[DaBruinz]

Some quick thoughts about the offseason in general:

Owenu will be cut. He just isn't that good anymore and cutting him saves $17 million against the cap.

This ISN'T a certainty.

I think Diggs will be extended. He has too high of a cap next year. Expect some voidable years.

Diggs has earned every penny of his contract. Especially considering he exceeded most everyone's expectations.

Moses will be cut. Too old and too expensive to keep another year.

He's more likely to retire than be cut. The fact that you think 8.9M cap hit is too expensive for a Starting RT raises HUGE questions about your ability to evaluate a player's worth in the market.

I would try to trade Carlton Davis because cutting him will add to the cap. |

The Pats KNEW what they were getting when they signed him. He's not being traded.

The Pats will trade for AJ Brown. His trade value is dropping every week and so his his value to the Eagles. They will want to get him off the books. He just isn't productive in the Eagles' system anymore. I think it could be his friction with Hurts. But they may not be able to trade him until post June 1st because of the cap hit ramifications of trading him before that.

How are you certain that the Pats WILL trade for a guy they don't need considering they have Boutte who is 23 and Williams who is turning 23 today? Adding Brown HURTS Williams' development.

Tonga, Chaisson, and Ellis will be resigned. Some of the other free agents will be resigned, but none are guaranteed.

Some free agents I would consider targeting:

- Tyler Linderbaum - The Ravens aren't going to franchise a center since all o-linemen are franchised at the same level. It all depends on whether they want to move Wilson to center or keep him at guard. I might move him to the right side if they keep him at guard.
- Nakobe Dean - Don't know if the Eagles will let him go, but I am also not sure if they would franchise him coming off an PCL tear.
- Branden Smith - a stud RT, but a little up there in age.

Who is "Branden Smith"? Do you mean BRADEN Smith, the current RT for the Colts who turns 30 in March? A guy who's run blocking has suffered?

- Kaden Elliss - Better than his brother.
- Breece Hall - If they decide to move on from Stevenson
- David Njoku - former pro bowler. Would be an upgrade over either Hooper or Henry in blocking

Njoku isn't an upgrade over Hooper and definitely is not an upgrade in terms of blocking. In fact, he's worse than Hooper or Henry.

- Kyle Pitts - Maybe with Maye he could return to his rookie form where he looked to be on track to be a stud TE
- Cade Otton - We just saw him play really well vs the Pats. He can do everything. Good blocker. Can catch.
- Alontae Taylor - A pretty good CB. Could be a solid #2 in replacement of Carlton Davis.

Weren't you one of the many who whined about Spillane and Co missing tackles? Prior to this year, Taylor missed nearly 17 tackles a season. I'd rather look at Tariq Woolen or Cobie Durant than Taylor.

- Odafe Oweh - Very good LB. I doubt the Chargers let him walk.
- Devin Lloyd - I doubt the Jags will let him go, but they are the Jags.
- Romeo Doubs - Would eventually replace Diggs or Hollins. Not sure if there would be room for him next year especially if the Pats trade for Brown.

Why would they add Doubs? He's not an upgrade over anything they have. Certainly not an upgrade over anyone on the Pats currently. No. he wouldn't replace Hollins because Doubs stinks as a run blocker. Not to mention being 2 inches shorter and 20 lbs lighter than Hollins.

 

[DaBruinz]

Owenu has more than that. Where did you get these numbers? PFF? I don't trust PFF. They are always wrong. I have seen him give up more than one sack.

But Fries is top of the market. I would rather have the guard you could get with Fries money than Owenu. The next guard to get that money would be one of the best in the league.

No he doesn't have more than that. PFF is excellent at recording thinks like who allows sacks. Their "Ratings" are what leave a lot to be desired. Just because you don't like that doesn't mean it's not fact.

Since you haven't been paying attention, more than half the sacks taken by Maye are actually on MAYE and not the O-line. That comes from people other than PFF.

 

[DaBruinz]

In that graphic Onwenu is slightly above average in pressure rate and below average in time to pressure. We should be getting more for $21 million.

What's hilarious is that graphic shows that FRIES is NOT "top pf the market" as @Rob0729 claims. Fries is actually WORSE than Onwenu both in terms of how much pressure he allows AND how quickly he allows it.


To add to the perspective that @patsinthesnow mentioned:
Onwenu has 386 pass blocking snaps in 10 games

Fries has 363 pass blocking snaps in 9 games.

So Fries has allowed more pressure on fewer snaps. But we're supposed to believe that Fries is "top of the market" *SMH*

 

[DaBruinz]

My evaluation:

First priority is to extend Tonga as soon as possible. I think we get him cheap if we do it now.

I think the decisions on Hawkins/Chaisson/Hooper depend on who you would target as alternatives. All three could be upgraded, but I’m also not opposed to bringing back all three.

With Hawkins, I think he’s done better than I thought as a starter, but I would love to see him in more of a 3rd safety, “Duron Harmon” type of role. On the fence with Chaisson. Like Ken said, he’s a one dimensional player. But that pass rushing ability is not always easy to find. Lastly, I like Hooper, but getting younger at TE wouldn’t be the worst idea. It’ll be a deep TE market. We can definitely weigh our options there.

Out in the FA:

RB: I think you move off Stevenson and upgrade him with a back in FA that will pair perfectly with Henderson.

Who is this back that you want to pair Henderson with? You have Travis Etienne, Javonte Williams, Tyler Allgeier as the top 3 who aren't named Hall.

WR: this will be tricky. I think we only go after a big fish that can be a true #1, or stick with what we have. No reason to replace Diggs with someone who is a trade off at best.

OL: Bradbury and Moses are still under contract, so don’t exactly want to see us sign more aging OL, unless we move off one of those guys. If they move off Bradbury and are ready for Wilson to move to C, I do like the idea of pursing a starting guard in FA. I think we should target RT in the draft on day 2.

Edge: add more depth to the room. Either back Chaisson and draft another edge prospect in day 2/ sign a cheaper vet for depth. Or spend the 1st round pick on an edge and pair him with a solid vet on reasonable money.

LB: I kinda like the depth of Gibbens/Mapu? But I think we need to upgrade the starter next to Spillane from Elliss. Go young here, whether it’s FA or draft.

CB: sign a cheaper vet at CB, draft early in day 3, or both. Could really use better depth past the top 3. Austin hasn’t worked out.

S: can resign Hawkins. I’d also like to see us swing big here on a higher end starter, at minimum depth needs addressed here.

For TE:
Daniel Bellinger is 25 and a UFA. He's very good as a run blocker and pass blocker. The Giants don't use him in the pass game, but he's 12 of 14 for 202 yards.

For Safety: If they want to replace Hawkins, they should look at Rams Safety Quentin Lake. Dane Belton of the Giants might be an alternative. I would avoid Reed Blankenship, Geno Stone, Nick Cross and Andre Cisco.

For LB: Leo Chenal of the Chiefs or Devin Bush of the Browns.

CB: I agree that they need an upgrade over Austin. But that should be a Round 3 or Round 4 target. , honestly.

 

[DaBruinz]

In that graphic Onwenu is slightly above average in pressure rate and below average in time to pressure. We should be getting more for $21 million.

The Average Pressure rate looks to be 3.3%. The Average time to pressure looks to be 2.78.

Onwenu is at 2.3% pressure rate and 2.63 time to pressure.

Compare that to Will Fries who is at 4.25% pressure rate and 2.55 time to pressure.

 

[DaBruinz]

PFF sucks. unless their grades agree with my agenda on players performance

You should never rely on PFF grades. However, they keep excellent stats. Particularly when it comes to thinks like Sacks allowed by an O-lineman or where a player lined up or how many run blocking snaps a guy made.

 

[DaBruinz]

Onwenu isn't a free agent.

Essentially, the team would team to offer the deal or threaten to cut him.

I don't see team cutting him unless they are sure what they can get in free agency.

The team doesn't need to rely on Free Agency to replace Onwenu. Onwenu turns 28 in December. So he's still in his prime. However, he's not played nearly as well as should be expected. Since he's in the last year of his contract, the team could easily hold onto him and sign someone like Connor McGovern or David Edwards for $8-10M/yr on a 3-4 yr deal and then give Onwenu the option of staying at a reduced amount or leaving. If he stays, they could cut Bradbury and move Wilson to center if they feel he's ready.. Or put Wilson on the bench while improving his Strength and his calling out the blocking assignments.

 

[moosekill]

They are going to get Brown as a wr this off season.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Whoever the new TE is needs to be able to block and catch. If we're just signing/drafting a big WR, we have Hollins.

Mack Hollins is 32, which means his time as a WR is ticking, but I wonder about the possibility of making him a move TE to finish his career? He's got the size 6'4 220, he ran a 4.53 40, he's got the blocking ability, and he would be a ***** for LB's and safeties to handle. This would open a spot for a drafted rookie in 26' to join the receiving corps.