Player Signing Safety Kevin Byard signs 1 year deal

[Zuma]

It was Hawkins.. I have to give props to @Zuma @TommyD4207 as they were both right on us needing to upgrade over Hawkins...

From the reports coming out in camp in 2024...to me it sounded like Hawkins would be an OK safety for us starting and IMO he was. I did get some down votes for that opinion....I think the majority here felt he wasn't even that good.

I think he played better then average in 2025...it was an improvement while still making some bonehead plays and not taking good tackle angles. I thought overall he was in the "Good" category in 2025 which to me is like 6-7 out of 10.

In 2026 we need better then "Good" if we want the defense to continue to improve. I'll be very happy if Byard is a 8-9 in 2026.

 

[Real fan 02]

Byard was a Vrabel draftee back in the day, started off showing flashes, worked his way into one of the best safeties in the game.

I'm starting to think Vrabel knows how to scout safeties...I dunno...

Yes.. I mentioned before in the past that how Byard became an all pro under Vrabel.. this signing gives me vibes of when we signed Rodney.. although Rodney was a strong safety.. Woody and Byard are going to be a fearsome tandem.. Byard will pick off passes Hawkins either mis-timed or gave up in coverage.

 

[Real fan 02]

From the reports coming out in camp in 2024...to me it sounded like Hawkins would be an OK safety for us starting and IMO he was. I did get some down votes for that opinion....I think the majority here felt he wasn't even that good.

I think he played better then average in 2025...it was an improvement while still making some bonehead plays and not taking good tackle angles. I thought overall he was in the "Good" category in 2025 which to me is like 6-7 out of 10.

In 2026 we need better then "Good" if we want the defense to continue to improve. I'll be very happy if Byard is a 8-9 in 2026.

Great points and summary... Hawkins was solid as mentioned and played well along side Woody.. but you said it correctly.. we need better than good.. we need to be defense that creates TOs to get the ball consistently back to Drake inside the 50 or red zone.. to many times last season Drake is having to start at the 25 yard line.. the Play he missed on Darnold in the SB was egregious...

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

From the reports coming out in camp in 2024...to me it sounded like Hawkins would be an OK safety for us starting and IMO he was. I did get some down votes for that opinion....I think the majority here felt he wasn't even that good.

I think he played better then average in 2025...it was an improvement while still making some bonehead plays and not taking good tackle angles. I thought overall he was in the "Good" category in 2025 which to me is like 6-7 out of 10.

In 2026 we need better then "Good" if we want the defense to continue to improve. I'll be very happy if Byard is a 8-9 in 2026.

Agreed.
I know a few posters weren’t high on Hawk, but he got better as the season progressed and became quite dependable.
I would have been fine with him back, but the swap for Byard is an improvement.

 

[Real fan 02]

Byard was a Vrabel draftee back in the day, started off showing flashes, worked his way into one of the best safeties in the game.

I'm starting to think Vrabel knows how to scout safeties...I dunno...

Interested??

 

[TommyD4207]

Interested??

Sure.
I'm not really super-picky when it comes to linebackers at the moment.
He would easily be our best linebacker the second he sets foot in Foxboro, but that's not a really high bar right now.

 

[Real fan 02]

Agreed.
I know a few posters weren’t high on Hawk, but he got better as the season progressed and became quite dependable.
I would have been fine with him back, but the swap for Byard is an improvement.

I liked Hawkins but.. this really excites me with the opportunity to have
Byard all pro
Woodson future all pro
Gonzo all pro and Best CB in the league
Jones pro bowl caliber
Davis pro bowl caliber

Man.. that's a dam good secondary...

 

[TommyD4207]

I liked Hawkins but.. this really excites me with the opportunity to have
Byard all pro
Woodson future all pro
Gonzo all pro and Best CB in the league
Jones pro bowl caliber
Davis pro bowl caliber

Man.. that's a dam good secondary...

Jones SHOULD have been all-pro, he got ****ing robbed.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

I liked Hawkins but.. this really excites me with the opportunity to have
Byard all pro
Woodson future all pro
Gonzo all pro and Best CB in the league
Jones pro bowl caliber
Davis pro bowl caliber

Man.. that's a dam good secondary...

Very good secondary.
Let’s hope we can add an impact Edge, that can make a very good secondary great.

 

[TommyD4207]

Very good secondary.
Let’s hope we can add an impact Edge, that can make a very good secondary great.

I am a little bit leery that this is Davis' last ride....I reeeeally want them to add an actual boundary corner at some point.

 

[Real fan 02]

Jones SHOULD have been all-pro, he got ****ing robbed.

He did.. I think because the NFL screwed him last season provided he plays his steady self I think he makes one..

 

[Real fan 02]

Very good secondary.
Let’s hope we can add an impact Edge, that can make a very good secondary great.

The Door is wide open for a Crosby trade.. now that TB12 has some egg on his face with the trade falling through with Baltimore I wonder if the majority owner of the LVR will make an executive decision or keep letting Brady play madden?..

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

I am a little bit leery that this is Davis' last ride....I reeeeally want them to add an actual boundary corner at some point.

I think it’s a sneaky need that will be addressed.
Even if your banking on Davis, our depth needs improvement.
I could see a CB as early as rd 3.
Hell if the value is there maybe earlier.
Let the draft come to us and don’t force a need. Of course FA could change that.

 

[Real fan 02]

I think it’s a sneaky need that will be addressed.
Even if your banking on Davis, our depth needs improvement.
I could see a CB as early as rd 3.
Hell if the value is there maybe earlier.
Let the draft come to us and don’t force a need. Of course FA could change that.

It's going to have to be the draft for sure.. we are going to have to find that Boundry guy.. unless Dial recovers ans continues to develop as he was last camp.

 

[jimnance]

Look who is interested in coming back..

Two-time Super Bowl champion openly interested in surprising Patriots reunion

Kyle Van Noy didn't shy away from sharing his interest in making a third return to the Patriots this offseason.

musketfire.com

Lotta tread on the tires but he's still highly productive. Could definitely help us rotationally at the right price

 

[Zuma]

It's going to have to be the draft for sure.. we are going to have to find that Boundry guy.. unless Dial recovers ans continues to develop as he was last camp.

I'm not sure Dial is going to be that guy. He missed all of 2025 and will be 26 in 2026..he is not going to develop much at this point. His stats don't exactly jump out at you...

 

[DaBruinz]

I liked Hawkins but.. this really excites me with the opportunity to have
Byard all pro
Woodson future all pro
Gonzo all pro and Best CB in the league
Jones pro bowl caliber
Davis pro bowl caliber

Man.. that's a dam good secondary...

Why do you keep mentioning the Flag Football farce know as the "Pro Bowl". It hasn't been a meaningful designation in over 15 years.

 

[DaBruinz]

I'm not sure Dial is going to be that guy. He missed all of 2025 and will be 26 in 2026..he is not going to develop much at this point. His stats don't exactly jump out at you...

Dial is 6' and 190lbs. He's also only 25. So I think there is still plenty of growth there. Not saying he'll be a starter, but he could take the #4 CB role from Woods.

That being said, I think that a corner who can play both the Boundary and in the slot would be a wise addition from the draft. Especially since the Pats only have Kobee Minor and Brandon Crossley as other CBs..

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Lotta tread on the tires but he's still highly productive. Could definitely help us rotationally at the right price

With all the prime Edges gone in FA, I think we should add a vet to rotate in along with a high draft pick.
I still like Clowney if the price is right on a 1 year deal.
8.5 sacks in limited snaps last year and he’s a good run defender.

 

[DaBruinz]

With all the prime Edges gone in FA, I think we should add a vet to rotate in along with a high draft pick.
I still like Clowney if the price is right on a 1 year deal.
8.5 sacks in limited snaps last year and he’s a good run defender.

While Clowney is still showing he has it, I think it was telling that Vrabel didn't bring him in LAST year when Clowney was available. Clowney wasn't signed by the Cowboys until after Week 2 last year.