a quick look at 2026 FA

[upstater1]

I intrinsically trust Marrone, Vrabel and Cowden to fiddle with the OL in whatever configuration they wish.

They may want to keep everyone for continuity. Continuity on your OL is a very good thing.

They do need to spend a first or second rounder on an RT however. That is a must need.

Onwenu makes too much money BUT... in this coming free agent period, the top guards on the market will be paid a LOT more than him. Not saying his contract is reasonable, but it won't be near the top of the league anymore. I'd expect Pro Bowl guards to get paid $25m per+.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

I cannot remember an analysis I disagree with more.

If NONE of these were replaced (and all extended instead), this would be a great start for the off-season.

I’m confused which part you disagree with? I said they only have 4 openings for guys playing starting snaps to retain players at or replace them with starting caliber options and then they’ll have every box checked with starting caliber talent. And you said you disagree and that keeping all 4 would be a great start to the offseason. I’m just not following the disagreement?

 

[mgteich]

1) I don't see the fact of these four not being under contract as an opportunity to move on and find other players that we hope will play better for similar money. I don't see that as progress or improvement. There are lots and lots of players that we could cut and move on from and get an upgrade.

2) After solidifying the excellent Status Quo team, we should indeed look to find serious upgrade, perhaps over a few of the following:

DIVITO
WALLACE
BROWN
LOWE
WESTOVER
MEYERS
JENNINGS (EDGE))
ELLISS
AUSTIN
PETTUS
JENNINGS/GIBSON

 

[Hugepatsfan]

1) I don't see the fact of these four not being under contract as an opportunity to move on and find other players that we hope will play better for similar money. I don't see that as progress or improvement. There are lots and lots of players that we could cut and move on from and get an upgrade.

2) After solidifying the excellent Status Quo team, we should indeed look to find serious upgrade, perhaps over a few of the following:

DIVITO
WALLACE
BROWN
LOWE
WESTOVER
MEYERS
JENNINGS (EDGE))
ELLISS
AUSTIN
PETTUS
JENNINGS/GIBSON

I believe you misinterpreted my post. I was not saying that they should move on from those guys. I said that they need to either retain or adequately replace them if things don't work out contract wise and once they do that, they'll have adequately filled their entire depth chart with starting talent all while still maintaining a ton of cap space and avenues to create more. And part of why I'm saying they'll still have significant spending power after retaining/replacing those guys is because those positions outside of Chaisson at EDGE are relatively devalued (S - Hawkins, LB2 - Gibbens, TE2 - Hooper) so it will leave left over. It'd be different math if the positions we needed to retain or adequately replace besides Chaisson were CB, WR and RT, as examples.

Side note: can't believe I forgot to list Tonga as a key contributor to retain or adequately replace. But run stuffing DT is another devalued position so I believe the larger point still stands.

Rereading my post, maybe it came off like I was saying they can shop for players they like at those positions specifically, but that wasn't at all what I meant. I actually meant the opposite. I meant once they retain or adequately replace those players/positions, they'll have no specific needs left so they can be selective. They can go out and sign the players who they truly think project well here vs. needing to check a box and possibly "reach" for a guy you aren't as enthused about. That's such an important position to be in for free agency because teams don't usually let their best players leave so you're shopping through guys that have enough flaws usually for teams to have pause about keeping them. Shopping for guys you actually like vs. positions you need just allows for you to make better signings for your team specifically.

It's possible that maybe there's some overlap between re-signing those guys and adding FAs they like. If they think Isiah Likely is a great projection here and want to sign him not only for our current 2 TE sets but for long-term planning for Henry's potential decline/departure over the next few years, then that probably means no Hooper. Or if they sign a stud LB to play next to Spillane with more coverage ability, then maybe Gibbens is out (though in that case I'd argue they'd be more likely to let Elliss go and re-sign Gibbens if it were either-or). Or if they sign an upgrade at starting safety and someone is willing to pay Hawkins like a starter then that might not be good cap math to still keep him. So yeah, possible that the act of signing guys they really like displaces someone of those guys I mentioned, but I didn't mean specifically look at those positions. I just mean sign guys you like in general.

 

[mgteich]

.. I meant once they retain or adequately replace those players/positions, they'll have no specific needs left so they can be selective. They can go out and sign the players who they truly think project well here vs. needing to check a box and possibly "reach" for a guy you aren't as enthused about..

I apologize for the misunderstanding.

We are in violent agreement.

 

[captain stone]

I cannot remember an analysis I disagree with more.

If NONE of these were replaced (and all extended instead), this would be a great start for the off-season.

To be fair HPF did say Retain or replace...

EDIT: Sorry, I didn't see the rest of the thread before posting this.

 

[Toofy]

Today there was an article on who are pats irreplaceable players on the event of an injury

In order of priority it looks like

Maye
Campbell
Gonzo
Spillane
Woodson/ Hawkins
Chaisson
Diggs
Henry

GGonzo did not play 3 games and we lost 2 of them . Zero depth behind gonzo.

For free agency we already have Carlton davis so I don't think we can spend more on CBs. So might have to be a high draft pick at CB/ safety . If 2026 draft class has very good depth from 30-100 I am okay for us to trade down and add an additional 3rd rounder / 4th rounder in the process.

As for free agents , we might need to overpay of chaisson unless we are able to get jaelyn Phillips .

Linebackers and safeties are actually undervalued in free agency too. So we can try to bolster that by signing some kid level culture fits.

I like Tariq woolen . If we are able to get him for 10 -15 million we should be on it.

2 guards
1 CB
1 safety
1 OLB
1 DE
1 TE
Backup Swing tackle
1 FB
1 ILB

These are my needs in priority

 

[mike_usagisan]

1) I don't see the fact of these four not being under contract as an opportunity to move on and find other players that we hope will play better for similar money. I don't see that as progress or improvement. There are lots and lots of players that we could cut and move on from and get an upgrade.

2) After solidifying the excellent Status Quo team, we should indeed look to find serious upgrade, perhaps over a few of the following:

DIVITO
WALLACE
BROWN
LOWE
WESTOVER
MEYERS
JENNINGS (EDGE))
ELLISS
AUSTIN
PETTUS
JENNINGS/GIBSON

I can't speak to the others, but I think they like Brown as a backup C/G if Bradbury is replaced by Wilson.

 

[hornetfb85]

So who are we desperate to replace next year on offense:

QB: Maye
RB: Henderson
WR: Diggs
WR: Boutte
WR: Hollins
TE: Henry
LT: Campbell
LG: Wilson
C: Bradbury
RG: Onwenu
RT: Moses

RB: Need to know is Stevenson the guy to pair with Henderson or do we move on.

WR: If you would have told me Hollins would be a go to WR early in the season I’d say your crazy. He has a pretty d@mn good connection right now with Maye.

OL: Where does Wilson fit best for now and his future. If it is C put him there now and find a LG. As much as people want to get rid of Onwenu, don’t see it happening. Need to draft a RT of the future imunless they’re positive on Bryant being that guy.

 

[Zuma]

It's my opinion that Wilson didn't play C because as a rookie...he was not ready to decipher defenses like a Center may need to do. I think the Patriots plan is to get a year under his belt and learn how to play the position from someone like Bradbury (whom he can learn from because he's right next to him on the line).

 

[Rob0729]

McDaniels had Gronk and Hernandez nuff said!

Actually McDaniels only had Hernandez for one season and Hernandez was out inured for over a third of the season. They were only on the Pats together in 2012. Well, preseason of 2013 too before Hernandez was exposed as a disgusting serial killer.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

Not a "free agent" but a popular name so thought this applied here. It's quieted down a lot, but people have been pining for AJ Brown for a while because of the Vrabel connection. He really might just not be THAT GUY anymore though.

 

[hornetfb85]

It's my opinion that Wilson didn't play C because as a rookie...he was not ready to decipher defenses like a Center may need to do. I think the Patriots plan is to get a year under his belt and learn how to play the position from someone like Bradbury (whom he can learn from because he's right next to him on the line).

 

[Toofy]

Not a "free agent" but a popular name so thought this applied here. It's quieted down a lot, but people have been pining for AJ Brown for a while because of the Vrabel connection. He really might just not be THAT GUY anymore though.

No thanks .

Let's build through draft and elevate our players. With the touch that Drake has we just need wr2 or wr3 players. We can scheme them opens and distribute the balls. If offensive line is solid , maye will make average receivers look like studs. Just keep drafting at least one offensive skill player in first 4 rounds ( TE/WR) till we strike gold.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

It's my opinion that Wilson didn't play C because as a rookie...he was not ready to decipher defenses like a Center may need to do. I think the Patriots plan is to get a year under his belt and learn how to play the position from someone like Bradbury (whom he can learn from because he's right next to him on the line).

A simpler explanation might be that he can play both, and Campbell-Wilson-Bradbury is the best possible combo.

 

[mgteich]

A simpler explanation might be that he can play both, and Campbell-Wilson-Bradbury is the best possible combo.

and is likely to be so again next year

The performance of the 3 has been truly outstanding.

 

[Zuma]

and is likely to be so again next year

The performance of the 3 has been truly outstanding.

Lazar thinks otherwise. We'll see.

 

[BelizePats]

Right tackle round 1
Corner round 2
LB or TE round 3

 

[mgteich]

Lazar thinks otherwise. We'll see.

Does he think that Bradbury won't start? Do you think that this would be a good idea for 2026?

 

[mike_usagisan]

Does he think that Bradbury won't start? Do you think that this would be a good idea for 2026?

It probably completely depends on what the team can find in way of guards in the offseason.