My own personal Pats free agent signings grades

[Wozzy]

Absolutely correct!!! Team sport. The ultimate team sport. The trenches for example are already better than last season as we can clearly see what Vrabel's putting emphasis on and he spoke at the owners meeting regarding the running game.

The addition of Gilliam Is the equivalent of what Byard adds on defense In my opinion having the FB to knock off ends and LBs to pave lanes for the backs of being a lead blocker for Drake on designed runs is pivotal.

Just like with Byard having the savy veteran back there next to woody will allow the CBs more opportunities to make plays and take more chances in man coverage rather than allowing for easy stuff in zone. Just so much to like about the overall direction the teams taken

Agree here, post first wave free agency the team is already better. For two reasons, not only did they add better players at starting positions, but rookies who contributed last season and might have been out of their depth can be much improved this season.

Westover wasn’t a good FB, Gilliam automatically improves that position… the team knew this and why he was a priority free agent.

No offense to Jaylinn Hawkins, but Byard is a better player and more importantly a better leader in the backfield. Zone defense was a mess last season, they desperately needed an on-field coach in the backfield.

Vera-Tucker allows Wilson to slide to center, and if Wilson gets stronger he is a 20 pounds heavier athlete at the center position. We haven’t had a big athletic dude at center since Damian Woody… hopefully Wilson can shotgun snap better than he could. Added athletic beef is always better…

Doubs is a taller, bigger younger version of Boutte, who I like… but he is short. Giving a big armed Drake bigger targets is only a good thing.

Kyle Williams if he develops is like Stefon Diggs at 24 years of age. There’s some projection here, but he had a year working with the guy and has similar athleticism. This is presumably better…

Add 11 draft picks to this ^ and it’s much better assuming health and the development of last year’s rookies. I don’t get the pessimism….

 

[Real fan 02]

Agree here, post first wave free agency the team is already better. For two reasons, not only did they add better players at starting positions, but rookies who contributed last season and might have been out of their depth can be much improved this season.

Westover wasn’t a good FB, Gilliam automatically improves that position… the team knew this and why he was a priority free agent.

No offense to Jaylinn Hawkins, but Byard is a better player and more importantly a better leader in the backfield. Zone defense was a mess last season, they desperately needed an on-field coach in the backfield.

Vera-Tucker allows Wilson to slide to center, and if Wilson gets stronger he is a 20 pounds heavier athlete at the center position. We haven’t had a big athletic dude at center since Damian Woody… hopefully Wilson can shotgun snap better than he could. Added athletic beef is always better…

Doubs is a taller, bigger younger version of Boutte, who I like… but he is short. Giving a big armed Drake bigger targets is only a good thing.

Kyle Williams if he develops is like Stefon Diggs at 24 years of age. There’s some projection here, but he had a year working with the guy and has similar athleticism. This is presumably better…

Add 11 draft picks to this ^ and it’s much better assuming health and the development of last year’s rookies. I don’t get the pessimism….

Great points wozzy! Hard to add much more to that as it's spot on.. you meant Doubs is a younger ,bigger version of Diggs not Boutte? As Boutte is just 23 himself still a young guy.

Your right on everything you touched on.. Kyle Williams development is of the utmost importance as he'd be another guy in drake's arsenal that could be a factor his speed is electric and every TD he had last seen was on long gains.

Just so much to like here. Vrabel's building a 90 man roster and wants to build off last seasons success.

 

[mgteich]

Speculate all you want…

Stating as fact one knows who the best and worst teams are now prior to the entire offseason completing is complete guesswork.

I bet on the Patriots to win the AFC last July after the draft and free agency. That was an educated bet… prior to these things would have been silly.

I congratulate you for stating opinions based on actual bettors making bets.

 

[mgteich]

Let me clarify a couple of things.

I believe that our roster is stronger than last year's roster, during the season and in the playoffs.

I believe that almost every player lost has been replaced with better players, with a couple being replaced with players who are arguably equal.

I do believe that the teams that we will play are MUCH stronger than those that we played last year; ditto for Buffalo.

I believe that we are presently about equal with BUF but will likely be better by the time we start the season. I have faith in Vrabel's ability to draft, trade, and sign more players that will make us better. I also have faith that the team will improve as a team during camp and in the early part of the season.

 

[Wozzy]

I congratulate you for stating opinions based on actual bettors making bets.

This ^ sentence makes no sense.

I told you last season right before they played the Patriots were better than Buffalo, you argued they were better. Then the Pats beat them, they were beating the pants off them the second time they played 24-7 before they let their foot off the gas and allowed them to crawl back into it... this was also when NE's defense was injury riddled.

The schedule is getting harder for everyone, not just the Pats. My only point was the draft and UDFA are going to add at least 10-15 more players, many of whom will have an impact on this season.

Nobody knows who the best team is right now, prior to the draft and conclusion of free agency and camp. We don't even know the rosters. I'll have an answer for you as camp is wrapping up.

 

[mgteich]

This ^ sentence makes no sense.

I told you last season right before they played the Patriots were better than Buffalo, you argued they were better. Then the Pats beat them, they were beating the pants off them the second time they played 24-7 before they let their foot off the gas and allowed them to crawl back into it... this was also when NE's defense was injury riddled.

The schedule is getting harder for everyone, not just the Pats. My only point was the draft and UDFA are going to add at least 10-15 more players, many of whom will have an impact on this season.

Nobody knows who the best team is right now, prior to the draft and conclusion of free agency and camp. We don't even know the rosters. I'll have an answer for you as camp is wrapping up.

???
Let me be MORE clear.

I congratulate you for making a 2025 bet on the patriots to win that AFC

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Most thought the Pats were better when they drafted Daniel Graham and Deion Branch, signed Victor Green, Cam Cleeland, Christian Fauria and.....Donald Hayes. Their defense overall was really bad defending both the run and pass. Brady was clearly a better passer, but wasn't that guy that could consistently put up 25+ points per game which was needed because the defense was so bad.

It wasn't the entire defense, but the rush defense.In the third game Priest Holmes ran all over the PAts for 6.5 ypc and while Pats won in OT, it gave the recipe to beat the Pats. They gave up 4 games of 200 plus yards rushing to opponents and 4 games where the opponent had more rushing yards than passing yards.. In fact they only gave up one 300 yard passer compared to 4 the year before so pass defense was better.
In 2003, they addressed the rush defense deficiency and we saw the results, with a #1 defense and ypc against dropped from 4.6 in 2002 to 3.6 in 2003.

 

[Bill Lee]

Buffalo as a division foe will always be our biggest threat IMO of the entire AFC..landscape. have to win your division before you can face other AFC opponents in the postseason of course!

Absolutely correct!!! Team sport. The ultimate team sport. The trenches for example are already better than last season as we can clearly see what Vrabel's putting emphasis on and he spoke at the owners meeting regarding the running game.

The addition of Gilliam Is the equivalent of what Byard adds on defense In my opinion having the FB to knock off ends and LBs to pave lanes for the backs of being a lead blocker for Drake on designed runs is pivotal.

Just like with Byard having the savy veteran back there next to woody will allow the CBs more opportunities to make plays and take more chances in man coverage rather than allowing for easy stuff in zone. Just so much to like about the overall direction the teams taken

Feels like we are building a smash-mouth offense to try to control the game, something that will make life difficult for BUF.

Strange no one mentions that BUF is going through a pretty chaotic period after firing their coach of the last decade or so, and not really having solid player selection/development helping them much either.

I'm in general conservative if not pessimistic but I like our chances in the AFCE this season.

I'm thinking we're likely to be in the playoffs either as division champ or wild card, and once in, who knows...

 

[Real fan 02]

Feels like we are building a smash-mouth offense to try to control the game, something that will make life difficult for BUF.

Strange no one mentions that BUF is going through a pretty chaotic period after firing their coach of the last decade or so, and not really having solid player selection/development helping them much either.

I'm in general conservative if not pessimistic but I like our chances in the AFCE this season.

I'm thinking we're likely to be in the playoffs either as division champ or wild card, and once in, who knows...

Agreed. That's what I can see the team is trending towards. They want to be more diverse on offense being able to score quickly if they have to and also being able to control the clock and wear down defenses. I cannot stress enough Buffalo is our biggest threat in the AFC not Denver, not Houston ect. Because you have to win your division before you can face other AFC opponents.

I love Vrabel's messaging. Last season we got a taste he said.. that's the barometer and of course wining superbowls.

 

[Triumph]

You realize the other three teams in the AFCEast play identical schedules right?

Take your zoloft.

Sober up someday.

Jets and Miami do not play identical schedules as NE and Buffalo because they qualified for the 2025 post season.

 

[Triumph]

Can you explain to me exactly how the schedules for the Jets, Dolphins or Bills are much easier than the Patriots in 2026, or why their teams will perform significantly better in order to close the gap?

3 games for the Jets and Dolphins will be weaker opponents than the Bills and Pats face.

 

[Ross12]

3 games for the Jets and Dolphins will be weaker opponents than the Bills and Pats face.

So you are saying the Jets or Dolphins will win the AFC East instead of the Bills or Patriots because they have 3 easier games? I didn't know 3 out of 17 games decided the entire season.

What about the fact that they also have to face 14 other common opponents and have inferior rosters for those games?

Can't say I've seen anyone calling for the Jets or Dolphins to be AFC East champs in 2026 but hey, best of luck on this one. Anything is possible!

 

[n1997y]

3 games for the Jets and Dolphins will be weaker opponents than the Bills and Pats face.

lol. Four of their games will be tougher games than the Pats or Bills have.

That’s because they each have four games against the Pats and Bills, while the Pats and Bills each have four games against the Jets and Phins.

Those are a significant difference in schedule strength.

 

[Wozzy]

3 games for the Jets and Dolphins will be weaker opponents than the Bills and Pats face.

So let me get this straight, according to you the Pats, who won the most games in the NFL last season and return a better team, should be scared of two of the most talent deprived teams in the league… teams are that don’t even have QB’s… and it’s because they play a couple of games that might be easier?

If strength of schedule mattered that much, the Dolphins and Jests would have won more than 7 and 3 games last season.

Laughable….

 

[Real fan 02]

I know everyone will hate this but I am posting it anyway;

Overall pretty uninspiring group to date. Have they bettered the team yet...absoluely not, they are treading water or sinking.


Picking at 31 and at bottom of each round with Elliot Wolf in charge...do not expect any game changers.
Eagles are not trading AJ Brown even after June 1, for price patriots are willing to pay
They will not win double digit games this year.



KJ Britt- C- ...not even a JAG
Mike Brown- C-/D+ Vrabel loves to sign his old JAG buddies from tennesee
Kevin Byard- B, he is an old man but maybe they can squeeze one more solid year out of him, another Vrabel buddy from Titans
Romeo Doubs- B, definitely has upside but he is not an X receiver they need desperately, Diggs is still better
Reggie Gilliam- A-, best signing to date, they need solid backfield blockers desperately
Julian Hill B- wants to be best TE blocker in NFL at 245 pounds, I doubt it
James Hudson F WTF, bottom of the barrel
Dremont Jones B+ solid signing, good player,
Niko Lalos F definition of disposable camp body
Jesse Luketa C- nothing to write home about
Alijah Vera Tucker C+ injury waiting to happen
Kindle Vildor C another Vrabel Titans buddy....he is a mediocre JAG

Meaningful losses in FA

Chaisson, Lowe as backup T, Tavai and Tonga, Diggs

I guess my question would be... the 2025 coach of the year.. and elite young MVP at QB... the most important elements a team needs to compete is the QB and the HC...

As a patiots fans we've seen this for 19 seasons... so they won't win double digit games this season after losing guys?

 

[Real fan 02]

So let me get this straight, according to you the Pats, who won the most games in the NFL last season and return a better team, should be scared of two of the most talent deprived teams in the league… teams are that don’t even have QB’s… and it’s because they play a couple of games that might be easier?

If strength of schedule mattered that much, the Dolphins and Jests would have won more than 7 and 3 games last season.

Laughable….

Wozzy I have to chuckle when I keep seeing the schedule oh this big bad vaunted schedule.. the travel will be more impactful IMO than playing the teams on the schedule.. I believe the toughest place they will play in will be at Seattle..

 

[Triumph]

lol. Four of their games will be tougher games than the Pats or Bills have.

Dont forget that the Pats are better than 2025.

I wonder who WR1 is? Woozy told us that the Pats do not need anymore starters. Thats awesome.

That’s because they each have four games against the Pats and Bills, while the Pats and Bills each have four games against the Jets and Phins.

Those are a significant difference in schedule strength.

Since when has NE playing Miami in September been easy? Miami away has never been a guaranteed win.

I would not expect the Pats to roll into Buffalo and win. This offseason has been mediocre to poor.

 

[Real fan 02]

Dont forget that the Pats are better than 2025.

I wonder who WR1 is? Woozy told us that the Pats do not need anymore starters. Thats awesome.

Since when has NE playing Miami in September been easy? Miami away has never been a guaranteed win.

I would not expect the Pats to roll into Buffalo and win. This offseason has been mediocre to poor.

I'll say this... the team attacked some huge needs in FA.. particularly addressing the trenches on offense. Getting the Running game to be more efficient and effective makes a tremendous difference for the entirety of the offense. Look at the smash mouth Running game Buffalo has with cook/Allen and Ray Davis who chips in.. being able to do this keeps defenses on thier heels and controls the line or scrimmage and the clock..

On defense Dre Jones is an upgrade over chassion who had the best production of his career here being a first round pick of Jax. The team isn't done... 11 draft picks, UDFA, and so much more that will be done to form the roster between now and week 1..

 

[Wozzy]

Wozzy I have to chuckle when I keep seeing the schedule oh this big bad vaunted schedule.. the travel will be more impactful IMO than playing the teams on the schedule.. I believe the toughest place they will play in will be at Seattle..

Unless they travel to Germany or London to play the Lions or Jags.

 

[Wozzy]

Dont forget that the Pats are better than 2025.

I wonder who WR1 is? Woozy told us that the Pats do not need anymore starters. Thats awesome.

Who was the WR1 last season… they didn’t have one. Diggs hasn’t been a WR1 for years.

Since when has NE playing Miami in September been easy? Miami away has never been a guaranteed win.

Miami tore that roster down to the foundation this offseason… but the Pats should be concerned about the level of talent on their own team?

I would not expect the Pats to roll into Buffalo and win. This offseason has been mediocre to poor.

They beat them handily for 1 and 1/2 games last year… what did a worse Buffalo team do this offseason to improve that New England didn’t?