Agreed. It was inconceivable that coming off 4-13 that we would've had to over pay someone.. C. Davis was just that.. I expect Vrabel to draft gonzo a partner in the draft..
I'm sure that the Pats will look at a CB in the draft. Someone who can push Davis, but will spend a year as the 4th CB. I see the Pats looking at Corner the same way I seen them looking at WR. Day 3 pick unless someone they love falls into the late Day2.
Edge and LB are bigger needs.
EDGE: -
Chaisson is a decent Edge guy, but someone's going to over-pay for him.
Landry has lost a step and he can't stay healthy. I think the Pats will do him a solid and keep him around next year.
Ponder looks to be rounding into a solid rotational guy. He could become the new Chaisson.
Jennings is a solid rotational guy and the best the Pats have at setting the edge.
Swinson has underwhelmed and is likely headed back to the Practice Squad. The Pats need an upgrade here.
LB: The issue at LB is that none of them can cover a TE very well.. It's been, arguably, the Defense's Achilles Heel this year. While
Elliss did a decent job in 2024 (71% completion allowed), he's been schooled far too much this year (87.9% complete allowed).
Spillane is the leader of the LBs. His injury has been very telling. Spillane has been asked to cover far too much. He's been targeted 62 times and allowed 55 receptions.
Gibbens is a UFA. Gibbens has done a very good Job stepping in for Spillane, though Gibben's short-comings are obvious. He's better suited to Special Teams and stepping in to give one of the top 2 a breather for a couple plays.
Tavai is a thumper. With the change in the defense to being more aggressive, Tavai doesn't have the speed necessary to be a full time player in it. This needs to be addressed in the draft. A quality, side-line to side-line LB who can play in coverage and but can also play the run well.