The Offense is Loaded

[mayoclinic]

I was not a fan of the AJ Brown trade. The Pats overpaid for past production, IMO. But now it is official. From a short-term perspective, the offensive build out is pretty complete. Looking at the next 3 years, the Offense is about as deep and loaded as I can ever recall.

Here's a breakdown by position (* = 5th year option):

QB: Drake Maye (2028*), Tommy DeVito (2027), Behren Morten (2029)

The Gold Standard: Tom Brady circa 2007, 2010, 2016.

The Outlook: The GOAT sets an impossible bar, but if Drake Maye can build on 2025 the Pats will be in the best alternative position imaginable.

RB: TreVeyon Henderson (2028), Rhamondre Stevenson (2028), Lan Larison (2027), Jam Miller (2029), Myles Montgomery (2028)

The Gold Standard: 2004 Corey Dillon and Kevin Faulk

The Outlook: If Henderson can make a 2nd year leap, the Pats will have one of the better RB rooms in the NFL.

TE/FB: Hunter Henry (2026), Eli Raridon (2029), Reggie Gilliam (2028)

The Gold Standard: Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, James Develin circa 2012

The Outlook: Not close to the gold standard, but far better than 2025. Raridon has some real potential, and and Gilliam should be a devastating blocking addition. The loss of Julian Hill for 2026 hurts quite a bit.

WR: AJ Brown (2029), Romeo Doubs (2029), Kyle Williams (2028), Kayshon Boutte (2026), Mack Hollins (2026), Pop Douglas (2026), Efton Chism (2027), Kyle Dixon (2028)

The Gold Standard: 2007 - Moss, Welker and Stallworth

The Outlook: The best WR room the Pats have had since 2007, even after Boutte is probably traded.

OT: Will Campbell (2029*), Morgan Moses (2027), Caleb Lomo (2030*), Dametrious Crownover (2029), Marcus Bryant (2028), James Hudson (2026)

The Gold Standard: 2011-2012 Matt Light, Sebastian Vollmer, Nate Solder and Marcus Cannon

The Outlook: The strongest and deepest unit the Pats have had in a long time.

IOL: Alijah Vera-Tucker (2028), Jared Wilson (2028), Mike Onwenu (2026), Ben Brown (2027), Caedan Wallace (2027)

The Gold Standard: 2011 - Logan Mankins, Brian Waters, Dan Koppen, Dan Connelly, Ryan Wendell

The Outlook: Still 1 player away from dominance IMO, but pretty strong if AVT can stay healthy.

Overall: Paper does not always equate to production, but on paper I've never seen a Pats Offense as loaded and deep as this one is across the board. Individual units have been better at different times, but the combination of a franchise QB, OL strength/depth, and the variety and depth of offensive skill options is unparalleled. If people stay healthy (Julian Hill has already been put on IR since I started this), this should be a championship caliber offense.

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

I will judge them by points scored and rushing yards against legitimate teams when they need that tough yard. Their goal line running was poor last season. They brought in many pieces ... Can they gel and can drake really establish hot read routes in the face of pressure.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Mentioned in the other thread this offense is going to blow up. As long as Drake doesn’t regress and we get the pre injury Will Campbell, it will be an elite unit to go with our already elite defense.

Legit Super Bowl contenders

 

[bakes781]

Let's put it bluntly.

I don't want to hear about the tough schedule. If we don't compete for the AFC title for the next 3 years this will be a massive fail.

 

[TommyD4207]

Let's put it bluntly.

I don't want to hear about the tough schedule. If we don't compete for the AFC title for the next 3 years this will be a massive fail.

Yup. That's why they keep score.

 

[mayoclinic]

We should expect to win the division this year, and we probably have the most complete roster in the AFC. Where we go from there will depend on health and execution.

 

[TommyD4207]

We should expect to win the division this year, and we probably have the most complete roster in the AFC. Where we go from there will depend on health and execution.

This is a point I hadn't really spent much time on.
Who's in the running for that particular title? Denver...maybe? Jacksonville...maybe? Chargers...maybe?

 

[SpartanStar]

The best part is we get to measure ourselves against almost every AFC contender in the regular season and then its up to the coaching to make the adjustments for the post season, the team stays healthy and it'll be a fun run...

 

[Wozzy]

Let's put it bluntly.

I don't want to hear about the tough schedule. If we don't compete for the AFC title for the next 3 years this will be a massive fail.

The schedule is really tough, but they could be a better team than last year health provided. They could have a worse record but be better and be better in the playoffs when it matters.

They need to stay healthy and develop the youth…. same as last year at this time.

 

[mayoclinic]

This is a point I hadn't really spent much time on.
Who's in the running for that particular title? Denver...maybe? Jacksonville...maybe? Chargers...maybe?

The Rams and Seahawks are formidable and complete teams, but are not in the AFC.

Among the potential AFC teams:

1. Houston. Super tough defensively. OL not as good as ours, offensive skill grouos slightly weaker. Biggest issue is QB.

2. LA Chargers. Good QB and OL (if Slater and Alt healthy). Not as good offensive skill players. Comparable defense, maybe a bit less strong overall.

3. Denver. Great defense and OL. Offensive skill not as strong. Nix a much more limited QB and coming off an injury.

4. Buffalo. Top QB, good OL, strong run game, but depth limited Defense not as strong.

5. Baltimore. Good talent on both sides of the ball. So dependent on Lamar Jackson.

6. KC. Mahomes always dangerous but coming of ACL. I don't see the talent across the board.

Any given Sunday, but I like our chances if healthy.

 

[Huckleberry1]

The Patriots are in the top 4 in odds for the AFC Championship. They aren't rebuilding anymore, they are putting the final pieces together for seriously contending.

 

[BobDigital]

I wouldn't say loaded. I'd say it is a good offense. I think AJ Brown gets back to where he was last year which in YPG was on pace to be a top 15 WR. He was top 5 or so the years before that. So top 15 is reasonable for sure.

Henry while not the 'sexy' name right now is a top 10 TE in this league still. Has been consistently that. Not a game breaker but a good option.

Doubs is a better #2 than any other option he have. And honestly his numbers don't tell the story they should as the Packers didn't pass much in the past 3 years compared to other NFL teams.

That is a solid 1-2-3 option. Add in good depth and the OL improving and this looks like a borderline top 10 offense. But there are multiple offenses out there with 2 stars on them. We don't have that. So to call it loaded is a bit hasty. I think it is a good offense.

What I am excited about is our defense, which is being slept on right now. People are not respecting how balanced this team is.

 

[TommyD4207]

That is a solid 1-2-3 option. Add in good depth and the OL improving and this looks like a borderline top 10 offense

They were a top 5 offense last year. 2nd in points, 4th in yards.
The offense is better on paper today, by a significant margin, than it was when they were in the Super Bowl in February.

 

[Brady85-23]

Pats have a decent shot at being the best running team in the nfl. Wonder what the odds are on that

 

[ausbacker]

I wouldn't say loaded. I'd say it is a good offense. I think AJ Brown gets back to where he was last year which in YPG was on pace to be a top 15 WR. He was top 5 or so the years before that. So top 15 is reasonable for sure.

Henry while not the 'sexy' name right now is a top 10 TE in this league still. Has been consistently that. Not a game breaker but a good option.

Doubs is a better #2 than any other option he have. And honestly his numbers don't tell the story they should as the Packers didn't pass much in the past 3 years compared to other NFL teams.

That is a solid 1-2-3 option. Add in good depth and the OL improving and this looks like a borderline top 10 offense. But there are multiple offenses out there with 2 stars on them. We don't have that. So to call it loaded is a bit hasty. I think it is a good offense.

What I am excited about is our defense, which is being slept on right now. People are not respecting how balanced this team is.

What excites me if they have three WRs (Brown, Doubs, and hopefully second year leap Williams) who can beat Press Man Coverage off the line. We didn't have one Wideout we could reliably count on to do that in 2025.

 

[mayoclinic]

Daniel Jeremiah lists 12 key players as part of his blueprint for a championship roster:



Of those, 7 are on offense:

QB: Check. Drake Maye is the vest young WB and the most valuable property in the NFL.

OL(3): There is some work to be done, but I believe the Pats have 3 solid foundational linemen on the roster.

Offensive playmaker (3): AJ Brown and TreVeyon Henderson fit. Between Henry, Doubs, Stevenson, and the potential development of Williams and Raridon, I hope a 3rd playmaker will emerge.