My Ridiculously Early Start on a 2026 Offseason Plan

[BobDigital]

My plan is cut Onwenu (just cause the xdp goes up is no reason to keep a bad contract or not move on from an upgradable player.

Unless resigns for something low like 3 years 30m i'd rather just move on and take advantage of better options.

I don't feal the need to upgrade LB. I really don't. Just keep Gibbens. Elliss and Spillane are plenty good and I don't believe in over investing in LB unless you get THE GUY. That player is not available to use, so the best use of resources is spending that cash on the OL and pass rush or really anywhere else.

After signing out own guts I'd pay for Linderbaum and part ways with Bradbury. Also would sign a replacement G for Onwenu. Then I'd sign maybe a pass rusher. Phillips? Mack to a 1 year deal as a place holder? Idk. Chaisson to me is a bit fools gold. He can look impressive when we have the best DT group in the NFL. Without Williams he is almost a JAG. Never forget how invisible he was without Williams. I am not convinced we should extend for him. If he wants to play for 7m? Sure. Anymore id rather invest in a guy I know can get his own pressure.

Also good to keep in mind since we are picking so low the draft will only had 5m to the cap or so.

 

[PatsFan2]

My plan is cut Onwenu (just cause the xdp goes up is no reason to keep a bad contract or not move on from an upgradable player.

Unless resigns for something low like 3 years 30m i'd rather just move on and take advantage of better options.

I don't feal the need to upgrade LB. I really don't. Just keep Gibbens. Elliss and Spillane are plenty good and I don't believe in over investing in LB unless you get THE GUY. That player is not available to use, so the best use of resources is spending that cash on the OL and pass rush or really anywhere else.

After signing out own guts I'd pay for Linderbaum and part ways with Bradbury. Also would sign a replacement G for Onwenu. Then I'd sign maybe a pass rusher. Phillips? Mack to a 1 year deal as a place holder? Idk. Chaisson to me is a bit fools gold. He can look impressive when we have the best DT group in the NFL. Without Williams he is almost a JAG. Never forget how invisible he was without Williams. I am not convinced we should extend for him. If he wants to play for 7m? Sure. Anymore id rather invest in a guy I know can get his own pressure.

Also good to keep in mind since we are picking so low the draft will only had 5m to the cap or so.

I don't agree with your take on K Chaisson: some of those complete Defenses we faced were solid across the line. We know Milton Williams is a Stud but he's an inside guy same for Barmore. IF Chaisson works well with Them on the Edge: what's not to like?? I don't think Chaisson is a $20 Mill player $10 mill maybe. IF He wants more than that: I hope it ain't from us. IF they can restructure Mike Onwenu that would be Great. That said Landry's Contract could be a problem: knowing we signed him to decent $$$$$ last FA.

 

[manxman2601]

 

[manxman2601]

Hopefully there'll be two more to add to that picture come May.

 

[mayoclinic]

Also Georgia ties.

 

[manxman2601]

Some more offense-ive thoughts. Offensive doesn't sound right. Not OL, that's being discussed elsewhere.

1. I'm not clear on Josh McDaniels' plan. He seems to have moved away from the 'get people open quickly', 'scheme against the oppositions weaknesses' that we saw in the BB years. Plays take too long to develop and I think some people are being used badly (see Henderson below).

2. Treveyon Henderson - I think it's clear that he might not become RB2 and that he should be used more as a James White with speed. McDaniels keeps running into the heart of the DL and doesn't use him where he works best - on the edges. That was seen best yesterday when LM finally got him in the edge in the 2nd half and he had two good gains.

3. More Henderson - He doesn't have the wiggle to be an every down RB. His wins come through his explosion and speed. Exploit that, don't keep asking him to run like Kenneth Walker.

4. Kyle Williams - I'm happy to persevere here. Rookies have rarely done well in a JM offense in their rookie season. Williams has shown promise. I look forward to seeing if there's a year 2 progress.

5. Kayshon Boutte - I don't know what to make of him. He's very good at what he does but is it enough? I just don't know if he's ever going to be more than a 2-3 catch a game guy. However, he certainly maximises those 2-3 catches.

6. Efton Chism - Every time he's been asked to produce as a receiver, he has. Sure he doesn't have the top end speed, but I think he should be trusted more to be the 'get open quick' guy. something this offense lacks. This team needs an Amendola/Welker to move the chains and give Maye an easy connection.

7. TE - A difficult one for me.It's clear that over the next two years, we'll need two new TEs. I just have no idea how that happens. FA? The draft? I have no clear picture of the available draft TEs. I'm quite non-plussed by it.

8. Lan Larison - I'm excited to see him next off-season. He could be an interesting addition to this offense.

9. Drake Maye - The playoffs have been rough although there have been some promising moments, particularly against the Chargers. But he needs to do a much better job of not holding on to the ball so long.

10. Stop running so many slow developing draws!!!!

 

[manxman2601]

Some defensive thoughts...but less.

1. Gonzo. That was one of the best CB performances I've ever seen. He's a must keep.

2. Craig Woodson - He had 3 or 4 TFLs in the first half alone plus a pass breakup to prevent a TD. Never mind him being our Devin Mccourty, could be become our Kyle Hamilton? He has been a tackling beast in the playoffs.

3. I'm sure he played, but I don't remember Tonga being mentioned once yesterday.

4. I'm now of the view that the defense can be helped in FA. Short of day 3 depth, it's not a desperate need in the draft. That doesn't mean i'm opposed to drafting key players. Bleacher Report gave us Kayden Mcdonald, comparing him to Vince Wilfork. Who wouldn't take that? I'd still trade up for Freeling though.

5. Unlike the offense, the defence is young. Only Carlton Davis and Landry are "old" and even then, they're both under 30. Good times.

6. Our linebackers may not be first on the team sheet across the NFL, but they have really stepped up in the latter half of the year. I'm not in a rush to replace them. Again, i'm not opposed to drafting someone like Jake Golday, but it's not essential.

7. Re-sign Chaisson, Tonga and Hawkins, sign a FA edge rusher and I can see a scenario where we could go offense with our first five picks quite comfortably.

8. I wonder how much of Kuhr's defense is Terrell Williams? It will be interesting to see how that all plays out in the off-season. Kuhr has done an outstanding job.

9. Cory Durden. A very fine backup/rotational piece.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Some defensive thoughts...but less.

1. Gonzo. That was one of the best CB performances I've ever seen. He's a must keep.

2. Craig Woodson - He had 3 or 4 TFLs in the first half alone plus a pass breakup to prevent a TD. Never mind him being our Devin Mccourty, could be become our Kyle Hamilton? He has been a tackling beast in the playoffs.

3. I'm sure he played, but I don't remember Tonga being mentioned once yesterday.

4. I'm now of the view that the defense can be helped in FA. Short of day 3 depth, it's not a desperate need in the draft. That doesn't mean i'm opposed to drafting key players. Bleacher Report gave us Kayden Mcdonald, comparing him to Vince Wilfork. Who wouldn't take that? I'd still trade up for Freeling though.

5. Unlike the offense, the defence is young. Only Carlton Davis and Landry are "old" and even then, they're both under 30. Good times.

6. Our linebackers may not be first on the team sheet across the NFL, but they have really stepped up in the latter half of the year. I'm not in a rush to replace them. Again, i'm not opposed to drafting someone like Jake Golday, but it's not essential.

7. Re-sign Chaisson, Tonga and Hawkins, sign a FA edge rusher and I can see a scenario where we could go offense with our first five picks quite comfortably.

8. I wonder how much of Kuhr's defense is Terrell Williams? It will be interesting to see how that all plays out in the off-season. Kuhr has done an outstanding job.

9. Cory Durden. A very fine backup/rotational piece.

Great thoughts.

I would love a coverage FS to play alongside Woodson.

Also would love a coverage LB that can get to the edge like Kyle Louis.

 

[manxman2601]

Great thoughts.

I would love a coverage FS to play alongside Woodson.

Also would love a coverage LB that can get to the edge like Kyle Louis.

Me too but offense has become my priority after these playoffs. Louis is a good one though.

 

[mayoclinic]

Great thoughts.

I would love a coverage FS to play alongside Woodson.

Also would love a coverage LB that can get to the edge like Kyle Louis.

Coverage safety to go next to Woodson = Treydan Stukes, Dillon Thieneman, Zakee Wheatley, Bud Clark, VJ Payne

Coverage LB that can get to the edge like Kyle Louis = Kyle Louis

 

[bakes781]

How do we feel about the future with Gonzo?

Obviously he made himself a BIG payday last night. But are we better served to shop him?

 

[mayoclinic]

No. Not easily replaceable. Worth the $$$$.

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[manxman2601]

How do we feel about the future with Gonzo?

Obviously he made himself a BIG payday last night. But are we better served to shop him?

I think if you have someone who is top 3 or better at a key position you should keep him. I've speculated about trading him, we'd get at least two firsts I would think, but the risk is too high for my taste. You don't win SBs by offloading your young elite talent. A better performance by Maye and the offense in the 2nd half, and Gonzalez could well have won MVP. It's a fair question though.

 

[stelfans]

After watching the clips from last night I’m more sure than ever that Campbell will be our LT next year. He had no strength whatsoever, and he isn’t that weak or at least wasn’t until a couple of months ago.
Wilson on the other hand was absolutely atrocious.
LG my #1 priority. If they decide to move Campbell inside that’s just fine by me. But finding a starter LT will be hard as hell.

 

[mayoclinic]

After watching the clips from last night I’m more sure than ever that Campbell will be our LT next year. He had no strength whatsoever, and he isn’t that weak or at least wasn’t until a couple of months ago.

I agree, watching the Geoff Schwartz clips he had no power in the tank.

 

[mayoclinic]

Some radical thoughts, at least for me:

1. The biggest priority on offense is to upgrade the OL, followed by WR/TE.

2. The biggest priority on defense is to upgrade the EDGE group, followed by S/LB.

The most cost-effective way to do that - as others have suggested, and as I have resisted - might be:

i) Keep Morgan Moses at RT and Mike Onwenu at RG for 2026.

ii) Shift Will Campbell to LG and Jared Wilson to OC, upgrading g 2 positions on the OL.

iii) Go all-in on drafting a LT for 2026, either Monroe Freeling or Caleb Lomu.

iv) If the opportunity presents itself, draft a developmental RT and RG for 2027.

v) Prioritize re-signing K'Lavon Chaisson, and spend major $ on a UFA EDGE - which probably means Trey Hendrickson unless Vrabel and co think Odafe Oweh can develop into an impact EDGE. Maxx Crosby will cost too much, Myles Garrett is unobtainable.

Now Manx is probably saying "this sounds like my plan".

The big shift for me is:

- To really improve the EDGE you need to resign Chaisson AND add a true impact rusher, without giving up draft capital. Hendrickson is the surest, and possibly only, short-term impact rusher available. Getting an impact EDGE in the draft may not be possibly, and would undermine upgrading the OL.

- While there are 4-5 guys capable of starting at RT in 2027 and bolstering the OL in 2016, the only 2 guys I see being possible 2026 LT starters are Freeling and Lomu. Neither may be within trade back range, but if either is, that may be the most cost-effective way to build s dominant OL.

- In this scenario, we don't pursue someone like Tyler Linderbaum in FA we go hard after a top EDGE rusher.

 

[manxman2601]

Some radical thoughts, at least for me:

1. The biggest priority on offense is to upgrade the OL, followed by WR/TE.

2. The biggest priority on defense is to upgrade the EDGE group, followed by S/LB.

The most cost-effective way to do that - as others have suggested, and as I have resisted - might be:

i) Keep Morgan Moses at RT and Mike Onwenu at RG for 2026.

ii) Shift Will Campbell to LG and Jared Wilson to OC, upgrading g 2 positions on the OL.

iii) Go all-in on drafting a LT for 2026, either Monroe Freeling or Caleb Lomu.

iv) If the opportunity presents itself, draft a developmental RT and RG for 2027.

v) Prioritize re-signing K'Lavon Chaisson, and spend major $ on a UFA EDGE - which probably means Trey Hendrickson unless Vrabel and co think Odafe Oweh can develop into an impact EDGE. Maxx Crosby will cost too much, Myles Garrett is unobtainable.

Now Manx is probably saying "this sounds like my plan".

The big shift for me is:

- To really improve the EDGE you need to resign Chaisson AND add a true impact rusher, without giving up draft capital. Hendrickson is the surest, and possibly only, short-term impact rusher available. Getting an impact EDGE in the draft may not be possibly, and would undermine upgrading the OL.

- While there are 4-5 guys capable of starting at RT in 2027 and bolstering the OL in 2016, the only 2 guys I see being possible 2026 LT starters are Freeling and Lomu. Neither may be within trade back range, but if either is, that may be the most cost-effective way to build s dominant OL.

- In this scenario, we don't pursue someone like Tyler Linderbaum in FA we go hard after a top EDGE rusher.

Sure I think that. That's exactly what my mock was all about. Now I'd probably look at Oweh or Phillips rather than Hendricksen but that's exactly what I was suggesting yesterday. The only difference is that I also drafted the developmental RT this year too.

In truth though, I don't think they'll give up on Campbell at LT.

 

[stelfans]

My plan is to:
1 - Sign a LG in FA. Edwards should be the main target but Mcgovern is an option. Bitonio as a stopgap.
Vera-Tucker could also be a good option to improve OL competition depending on the contract.
I wanted Jenkins last year, maybe they look at him this year. There are options.
2 - Move Wilson to center
3 -Keep the rest of the line. Campbell-Edwards-Wilson-Onwenu-Moses should improve.
4 - Sign an EDGE in FA. If the cost is not too high get Crosby.
5 - Sign a TE in FA and get one in the draft. Dulcich is my main target.
6 - IF they keep their 1st round i would like it to be invested in a tackle but i could see it traded for AJ Brown or Crosby.
7 - Bring in more competition for the line trhough the draft, especially for IOL. Gulbin, Jalen Farmer, Logan Taylor.
8 - Draft Kyle Louis at all costs.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

My plan is to:
1 - Sign a LG in FA. Edwards should be the main target but Mcgovern is an option. Bitonio as a stopgap.
Vera-Tucker could also be a good option to improve OL competition depending on the contract.
I wanted Jenkins last year, maybe they look at him this year. There are options.
2 - Move Wilson to center
3 -Keep the rest of the line. Campbell-Edwards-Wilson-Onwenu-Moses should improve.
4 - Sign an EDGE in FA. If the cost is not too high get Crosby.
5 - Sign a TE in FA and get one in the draft. Dulcich is my main target.
6 - IF they keep their 1st round i would like it to be invested in a tackle but i could see it traded for AJ Brown or Crosby.
7 - Bring in more competition for the line trhough the draft, especially for IOL. Gulbin, Jalen Farmer, Logan Taylor.
8 - Draft Kyle Louis at all costs.

Move Wilson to center and keep the rest intact seems like the same failed strategy. I hope the Pats are more creative and build a truly dominant OL. Rome was not built in a day, but the Pats should keep exploring options to greatly improve the OL.

Cut Onwenu and sign Linderbaum. Now the Pats have an athletic All-Pro leader in the middle of the OL. Learn from the Bears who got Thuney last year. Move Campbell to RG where he can possibly be an All-Pro. Draft Freeling at LT, or anyone - Trapilo in R2 last year was great for the Bears. Move Wilson to RG. Campbell - Linderbaum - Wilson might be great. Very athletic and can get a push in the running game. Draft a RT in waiting behind Moses.

We need a lot more strength and athleticism on the OL. Need to move on from strong guys that are immobile like Onwenu and Moses.