My Ridiculously Early Start on a 2026 Offseason Plan

[captain stone]

Pats also need to be on the look-out, from the 6th round through un-drafted free agency, for run-stuffing wide-bodies.

 

[dliverey44]

Building off the previous post... here is what i am.

Cut - Onwenu, Mapu, Dobbs, Jennings = 17.5M, 1.5, 3.7 and 4 = 26.7M - 4M (pretty much base salary) = 22.7M

This brings your total cash to 66.7M for your top 51/ 64.7M for top 53

Sign

Gibbens 2 years 5M = 2M 2026 (Ben Brown like deal)
Hawkins 3 years 24M = 6.5M 2026 (This is more like a 2 year contract and the lowest he can be had for right now... if he proves it next year extend another year).
Lowe 2 years 5.5M = 2..5M 2026
Tonga 2 years 10M = 4.5M 2026
Devito 2 years 4M - 1.5M 2026

I think Chaisson probably gets a big contract we don't match (he probably gets 12M+ per year somewhere) and maybe Hooper decides to retire or they part ways. Since Henry. Diggs and Hollins will be here next year they badly need to focus on building youth around Maye. Hooper is the obvious place to start.

So overall after the Pats are done signing their guys they spend 17M and have 47.7M left

Personally I don't find thie FA class all that impressive, and that is before teams have even started to sign their own guys. So depending on how this looks maybe paying for Hooper and Chaisson will turn out to be the right play. But if someone shakes look I'd be happy signing another big name player. And there are easily guards who could replace Onwenu's production cheaper and better.

Regardless... drafting a future Edge and OL option early is needed... being on the look out for a future Davis replacement for after this year is an option too. If he play doesn't improve next year he is an absolute cut candidate in 2027.. and you'd hate to have a rookie step into that role.

Are you giving Booty, Pop or Gonzo an extension in the offseason? I ask because that will impact the money

 

[BobDigital]

Are you giving Booty, Pop or Gonzo an extension in the offseason? I ask because that will impact the money

While i think they should extend both Booty and Pop it should be done after all the smoke has cleared from FA and the draft. So when they extend both (and i think they will) they can structure the contract better for what is needed now and in the future for the cap. But yeah i do think in the end both will be extended before November one way or the other.

Another thing to note is they have 11 draft picks. Even if they make all picks I question if there is room for all those players on the roster... and is this before FA adds and also considering the fact at least 1 UDFA has made the roster every year for a long time and that should continue to happen. The pool of UDFAs is so big and it is just too likely for at least 1-2 to break though.

So either the Patriots should trade a pick or two into next year or consolidate picks. I'm good with either option.

 

[manxman2601]

Some thoughts, thinking about "what if we got Jim Schwartz at DC":

- Schwartz likes a lot of man coverage
- He likes a lot of single high free safety
- He prioritizes highly mobile MLBs (think Carson Schwesinger)
- He prioritizes aggressive pressure off the edges, and interior disruption

Whether or not Schwartz becomes an opportunity, I think the Terrell Willuams/Mike Vrabel version will bear a lot of similarities.

Thinking of guys who would fit this, and who might be available:

- EDGE: Akheem Mesidor, Zion Young, Malachi Lawrence
- DT: Lee Hunter, Caleb Banks
- LB: CJ Allen, Jeremiah Trotter
- S: Dillon Thieneman, Treydan Stukes
- CB: Devin Moore, Colton Hood, Kelley Moore, Jyaire Hill
- I also think Keionte Scott and Aveion Terrell would be ideal Schwartz nickels

This isn't meant to be a "I disagree with your take" post, I'd be excited by Jim Schwartz as our DC and he certainly fits Vrabel's attacking mentality. However, another guy who fits Vrabel's team defense, assignment sound, team responsibility defense would be Indiana's defensive coordinator Bryant Haines.

One advantage I see to a Haines defense over a Schwartz one is that the Schwartz defense needs stars. Man coverage corners, a single high FS, excellent pass rushers. All very expensive either FA-wise or in terms of draft capital. A team defense on the other hand, requires people who are assignment sound rather than superstars. Zone corners rather than man corners, pass rushers who can win through scheme rather than just winning one on ones (see Mikail Kamara), linebackers who are defensive leaders rather than just playmakers.

That doesn't mean having defensive stars are bad things but I think an intelligent, well coached day 3 guy would have more success in a Haines defense than a Schwartz one. And it's not as though the Haines scheme isn't an attacking one - they lead the Big 10 in both sacks and TFL.

I suspect it's too early for a young college DC who has only been an big four DC for two years but in a couple of years?

To Set A Trap – Haines’ ‘Illusion Defense’ Provides an Edge - Indiana University Athletics

Indiana University Athletics

iuhoosiers.com

 

[manxman2601]

I'm still team BPA but am increasingly of the opinion that we need to come out of the first two rounds with two of:

RT

Monroe Freeling
Blake Miller (35" arms)
Max Iheanachor

EDGE

Akheem Mesidor
Zion Young*
TJ Parker*
Malachi Lawrence (Maybe)

I have two caveats. Pregnon, Carter Smith and Thieneman still interest me and secondly, I wonder if Vrabel & could look to fill the edge rusher position via the pro market either through FA or the draft. We know they were keen to trade for one at the deadline.

My main reason for singling out RT and EDGE is the lack of depth beyond round 2.

* Neither are elite pass rushers but they are both very good all-rounders. Young is a bit psycho but harnessed correctly, I could see that having an appeal to Vrabel.

 

[captain stone]

I'm still team BPA but am increasingly of the opinion that we need to come out of the first two rounds with two of:

RT

Monroe Freeling
Blake Miller (35" arms)
Max Iheanachor

EDGE

Akheem Mesidor
Zion Young*
TJ Parker*
Malachi Lawrence (Maybe)

I have two caveats. Pregnon, Carter Smith and Thieneman still interest me and secondly, I wonder if Vrabel & could look to fill the edge rusher position via the pro market either through FA or the draft. We know they were keen to trade for one at the deadline.

As soon as the free agency window opens the Patriots should sign the best Pass-Rusher (and the best Left Guard) on the market. That way they can let the draft fall to them a bit easier and not make decisions based on desperation.

 

[mayoclinic]

A generally sound approach, will depend a bit on who hits the market.

 

[hornetfb85]

Any chance we come out of the first two rounds with Pregnon and Mesidor.

Not as worried about the age of Mesidor now that we’re in a win now stage. Feel he’s exactly what the D needs.

 

[hornetfb85]

As soon as the free agency window opens the Patriots should sign the best Pass-Rusher (and the best Left Guard) on the market. That way they can let the draft fall to them a bit easier and not make decisions based on desperation.

Edge: Odafe Oweh/Jaelan Phillips
LG: David Edwards

 

[manxman2601]

Any chance we come out of the first two rounds with Pregnon and Mesidor.

Not as worried about the age of Mesidor now that we’re in a win now stage. Feel he’s exactly what the D needs.

It's possible. We just don't know how teams will value Mesidor with his age. Having said that it's risky. You'd probably have to take Pregnon first and then hope Mesidor falls to the end of the 2nd round.

 

[dliverey44]

Edge: Odafe Oweh/Jaelan Phillips
LG: David Edwards

Are we signing someone for when Phillips gets hurt?

 

[hornetfb85]

Are we signing someone for when Phillips gets hurt?

Yep, will get a high upside edge in the draft as well. Totally covered

 

[dliverey44]

Yep, will get a high upside edge in the draft as well. Totally covered

Honestly I would love to see Chaisson signed for 3-4 years as well as another pass rusher and then draft one. Of phillips and Oweh If I had a gun to my head and had to pick one it would be Oweh. See how easy that is @mayoclinic.

 

[hornetfb85]

Honestly I would love to see Chaisson signed for 3-4 years as well as another pass rusher and then draft one. Of phillips and Oweh If I had a gun to my head and had to pick one it would be Oweh. See how easy that is @mayoclinic.

Oweh would be my choice as well. Chaisson back would be nice as well. Solid all around edge players. Then draft a pure speed rusher like Josephs, Howell or Thomas

 

[captain stone]

Honestly I would love to see Chaisson signed for 3-4 years as well as another pass rusher and then draft one. Of phillips and Oweh If I had a gun to my head and had to pick one it would be Oweh. See how easy that is @mayoclinic.

Chaisson's nothing special. He's a rotational/back-up piece on a Legit contender. Don't over-pay for this dude.

 

[PatsFan2]

Chaisson's nothing special. He's a rotational/back-up piece on a Legit contender. Don't over-pay for this dude.

He's the Best Edge Rusher on this Team unfortunately.

 

[mayoclinic]

Chaisson a valuable piece. I wouldn't breathe bank for him, but I would try to resign him if at all reasonable.

 

[captain stone]

He's the Best Edge Rusher on this Team unfortunately.

Then they need to do better. Twice.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Then they need to do better. Twice.

I’d trade my 1st for Max Crosby.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I’d trade my 1st for Max Crosby.

Maybe 2nd/3rd. Crosby has huge cap hits. $30M+. We can get two or three guys for that amount of money.