My Ridiculously Early Start on a 2026 Offseason Plan

[Joey007]

I don't want any WR at 31.

Omar Campbell is a fine WR, but I cannot envision any scenario in which I would consider him BPA at 31.

Makes the plan this year at WR tricky. Because I agree.

Team is just fine on WR 2-5, but WR1 is still shaky. You probably aren’t getting a guy like that day 2 onwards. So this leaves options on what to do there very limited unless we get aggressive on a trade.

 

[Joey007]

So Linderbaum is likely to cost north of 18m. Still interested?

I think anyone should have guessed he’d be making that much.

I still wouldn’t hate it, but if we have a young center of the future we already like, there’s better ways to spend the money. Linderbaum is a top 5 center in the league. But not quite elite like a Creed Humphrey.

 

[mgteich]

Tonga was excellent up until his injury. Having said that, a NT only can be probably be found for cheap, either in FA or day 3 of the draft. Durden's rise probably affects Tonga's chances of re-signing too. Tonga has gone from clear DT 3 to DT4 or even 5 if Farmer shows something next year.

I'd re-sign Chaisson largely for continuities sake. If we don't, we'd have to add two pass rushers in the off-season. I also don't think 17m is that much for a 10 sack edge rusher that plays with the effort Chaisson did, especially in the post-season.

I would definitely sign Chaisson, Hawkins and Lowe (2 starters and THE key backup). I expect that the majority will think that Vrabel has paid too much after the signings, but that's normal.

I think Tonga is a backup. Much depends on how the team evaluates Farmer after his injury. Durden has made a major difference in planning the DL. Tonga's injury and the ascent of Durden make have made Tonga overpriced for us.
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As far as Hooper, if Vrabel can't find any better, then $5M seems OK for #2 TE.

 

[mayoclinic]

My EDGE plan:

1. Sign 2 out of the following 5 FAs:

- Odafe Oweh
- Jaelan Phillips
- Boye Mafe
- Kwity Paye
- K'Lavon Chaisson (resign)

All are young and athletic, none should break the bank. Pats have the inside track on Chaisson and he is a known quantity, but if he gets too pricey the others are comparable.

2. Draft one of the following:

- Akheem Mesidor
- Keldric Faulk
- TJ Parker
- Zion Young
- Gabe Jacas
- Malachi Lawrence
- Dani Dennis-Sutton
- Derrick Moore
- Keyron Crawford

Mesidor and Faulk, and possibly Parker, will probably be gone at 31, but are worthy of the pick.

Lawrence and Dennis-Sutton are my personal favorites for value and upside.

3. Continue to develop Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson

I'm not sure Harold Landry has anything left. If he does, it's a bonus. But a group out of 5 of those above guys would be solid, with a lot of athleticism.

 

[DaBruinz]

It's going to be interesting to see who the Pats think is BPA a their pick. Lots of Edge/LB that could do a lot to improve this team.

Was it Howell that came in with the really short arms?

 

[manxman2601]

It's going to be interesting to see who the Pats think is BPA a their pick. Lots of Edge/LB that could do a lot to improve this team.

Was it Howell that came in with the really short arms?

Yes. 3rd shortest ever. I think he'd be shortest ever for a first rounder.

 

[DaBruinz]

Yes. 3rd shortest ever. I think he'd be shortest ever for a first rounder.

OK.. I kept seeing ads come up on me newsfeed about Howell being the Pats projected 1st round pick and having a major issue.. LOL..

With the depth that appears to be at both Edge and LB, I have to wonder if the Pats will look at RT at 31 with the thought they can get the other positions in rounds 2&3..

I really think that the Pats want to be able to have 2 "Mikes" on the field. Guys who can alternate between who is covering the TE/RB and be more successful at it than what we've had. But that they're making do with Spillane and Co..

 

[manxman2601]

OK.. I kept seeing ads come up on me newsfeed about Howell being the Pats projected 1st round pick and having a major issue.. LOL..

With the depth that appears to be at both Edge and LB, I have to wonder if the Pats will look at RT at 31 with the thought they can get the other positions in rounds 2&3..

I really think that the Pats want to be able to have 2 "Mikes" on the field. Guys who can alternate between who is covering the TE/RB and be more successful at it than what we've had. But that they're making do with Spillane and Co..

I think we'll need to see what happens with Diggs and AJ Brown. There seems to be some uncertainty at WR at the moment and if that's not resolved, WR becomes a huge draft need as it probably couldn't be resolved in FA.

Based upon the leaks - and I accept your point about misinformation/accuracy - I'd think something along the lines of:

Rnd 1 - EDGE
Rnd 2 - Trade for Brown
Rnd 3 - LG
Rnd 4 - Trade for Brown
Rnd 4 - RT

I'm not predicting that definitively, but I do think that's a very possible outcome.

It's interesting we've not heard anything about DBs aside from Hawkins being allowed to test FA.

Until we get a resolution on WR, it's all a bit up in the air.

And yes, RT is certainly a possibility at 31. The available prospects line up well with pick 31 currently.

 

[DaBruinz]

I think we'll need to see what happens with Diggs and AJ Brown. There seems to be some uncertainty at WR at the moment and if that's not resolved, WR becomes a huge draft need as it probably couldn't be resolved in FA.

Based upon the leaks - and I accept your point about misinformation/accuracy - I'd think something along the lines of:

Rnd 1 - EDGE
Rnd 2 - Trade for Brown
Rnd 3 - LG
Rnd 4 - Trade for Brown
Rnd 4 - RT

I'm not predicting that definitively, but I do think that's a very possible outcome.

It's interesting we've not heard anything about DBs aside from Hawkins being allowed to test FA.

Until we get a resolution on WR, it's all a bit up in the air.

And yes, RT is certainly a possibility at 31. The available prospects line up well with pick 31 currently.

I really hope that the Pats don't trade for that s**tshow known as AJ Brown. It would so hurt this team in the long run because they need a LB more than a DIVA WR who is all about himself.

Much rather have a LB and a RB with those 2 picks..

 

[manxman2601]

I really hope that the Pats don't trade for that s**tshow known as AJ Brown. It would so hurt this team in the long run because they need a LB more than a DIVA WR who is all about himself.

Much rather have a LB and a RB with those 2 picks..

I'm in two minds about it. If anyone can get the best out of Brown it's Vrabel and Maye but at the same time, I want to keep building for the future through the draft. WR is a question mark. They underwhelmed in the playoffs and Diggs/Hollins are not getting younger and I'm not sure what the solution is.

 

[manxman2601]

I really hope that the Pats don't trade for that s**tshow known as AJ Brown. It would so hurt this team in the long run because they need a LB more than a DIVA WR who is all about himself.

Much rather have a LB and a RB with those 2 picks..

I do think the team should stick to the plan which was to get to the SB by 2028 if I remember correctly. Yes, they've been ahead of schedule but that should still be the target and we can only achieve that by nailing the draft year after year. I'm not in favour of giving up draft picks.

 

[DaBruinz]

I'm in two minds about it. If anyone can get the best out of Brown it's Vrabel and Maye but at the same time, I want to keep building for the future through the draft. WR is a question mark. They underwhelmed in the playoffs and Diggs/Hollins are not getting younger and I'm not sure what the solution is.

For the play-offs, you have to throw out the 2 games affected by weather when looking at the passing game. Weather like that helps defenses.. Especially when the coaching staff decides that your defense can hold the opposing offense and you only go with running plays for a nearly a full half like they did in Denver.


When I look at the Play-offs, I see a passing game that was most affected by the QB not having the time to get the ball out. Which was because of the O-line. When your QB is being pressured on over 40% of the passing plays, that's an issue and it doesn't matter who the WRs are.

You fix the O-line and we'll see things change in the passing game to be closer to what we saw during the regular season when Maye was completing 72% of his passes. Adding a DIVA WR won't matter if Maye is being pressured just as much as he was against Houston and Seattle.

To do this:
- Upgrade the LG position. Wilson isn't the answer. Are you drafting one or are you signing one via FA?
- Address the Center position. Is it Wilson or are you drafting another C?
- Right Tackle - Is Bryant the heir apparent? Are you re-signing Munford to be it? Are you drafting a RT early?
- A succession plan at RG. Even if you sign Onwenu to an extension, you need someone behind him. Is it Wallace? Or Someone else?


I've been very open about signing McGovern for the LG spot. I think that McGovern adds versatility and can take over at C in the event of an injury.

Let Wilson battle Bradbury for the Center spot. At worst, Bradbury hold on and Wilson gets a year to develop behind Bradbury. Wilson wins and you can cut Bradbury while still having a veteran presence in McGovern to help Wilson.

I think that signing someone like James Daniels to be a back-up C/G would be a good thing as well. Daniels is coming off 2 years of injuries.. So a 1 yr prove it deal might be something that would interest him.

Something that may pique the Pats interest is that Tyler Biadasz - OC was just released by the Commanders. Biadasz gave up 3 sacks and 18 hurries on 571 pass blocking snaps. He may or may not be a better option at OC than Bradbury, Wilson or McGovern.

 

[mayoclinic]

Buying, selling what we're hearing at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine

NFL general managers and head coaches provided plenty of nuggets in combine interviews. What makes sense, and what seems like empty promises?

www.pff.com

 

[Huckleberry1]

So Linderbaum is likely to cost north of 18m. Still interested?

100% I'd give him 22 in a heartbeat.

 

[mayoclinic]

IOL FA:

1. Tyler Linderbaum
2. Alijah Vera-Tucker
3. Both

 

[mayoclinic]

My EDGE plan:

1. Sign 2 out of the following 5 FAs:

- Odafe Oweh
- Jaelan Phillips
- Boye Mafe
- Kwity Paye
- K'Lavon Chaisson (resign)

All are young and athletic, none should break the bank. Pats have the inside track on Chaisson and he is a known quantity, but if he gets too pricey the others are comparable.

2. Draft one of the following:

- Akheem Mesidor
- Keldric Faulk
- TJ Parker
- Zion Young
- Gabe Jacas
- Malachi Lawrence
- Dani Dennis-Sutton
- Derrick Moore
- Keyron Crawford

Mesidor and Faulk, and possibly Parker, will probably be gone at 31, but are worthy of the pick.

Lawrence and Dennis-Sutton are my personal favorites for value and upside.

3. Continue to develop Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson

I'm not sure Harold Landry has anything left. If he does, it's a bonus. But a group out of 5 of those above guys would be solid, with a lot of athleticism.

If Rashan Gary is a cap casualty, add him to the UFA list.

 

[dliverey44]

I really hope that the Pats don't trade for that s**tshow known as AJ Brown. It would so hurt this team in the long run because they need a LB more than a DIVA WR who is all about himself.

Much rather have a LB and a RB with those 2 picks..

I agree with this so much, some WRs are still good as they get older. Diggs is one of them because he is a route technician. Imo AJ Brown still wins on athleticism and he will start losing more of it in the next year or so. I am in the minority that does not think that AJ Brown will be a significant improvement to the WR room.

 

[mayoclinic]

2026 salary cap officially set at 301.2M.

NFL salary cap officially set at $301.2M; Giants need to create space

The Giants have work to do to create room before free agency begins.

www.bigblueview.com

 

[manxman2601]

 

[mayoclinic]

Report: Giants' Kayvon Thibodeaux unlikely to fetch much value on trade market

New York Giants LB Kayvon Thibodeaux is reportedly valued at a Day 3 draft pick on the trade market.

giantswire.usatoday.com