Additional FA Needs

[Water Boy]

Thread to discuss additional FA needs for this season.

TE: With the loss of Hill and reports that Raridon will need time to learn the system a veteran blocking TE is a need. Barth and Lazar think they should give Dippre and the other rookie a look, and then look for a veteran if the don't impress. Pharoah Brown's name was floated.

Who's with me on the bring back Pharaoh Train?

 

[rkarp1]

Phar Brown is 32 years old and had a couple of very soft seasons since leaving NE
not a ST option at this point in his career
hard pass for me

 

[mgteich]

We need a backup C/G, and ILB an EDGE rusher. If Landry is healthy, EDGE is the lowest priority of the three. If he is not, it is the highest proity.

 

[mayoclinic]

And a TE.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

No to Brown.
Yes to Clowney.
I would wait for cutdown to grabber a younger TE with upside.
If Koziol or Gyllenborg are cut, I would be very interested.
Not blockers per se, but I prefer someone with upside over a vet like Brown who offers very little at this point.

 

[Wozzy]

They probably need another TE body for camp... otherwise I don't see many needs.

If you have a need now you didn't do a good job team building, or you suffered an injury like the Pats did with Julian Hill.

It's a little late in the game to be filling needs.

 

[TommyD4207]

No to Brown.
Yes to Clowney.
I would wait for cutdown to grabber a younger TE with upside.
If Koziol or Gyllenborg are cut, I would be very interested.
Not blockers per se, but I prefer someone with upside over a vet like Brown who offers very little at this point.

I'd love to kick the tires on Bobby Wagner too. I don't necessarily want him playing 70 snaps a game, obviously, but I'd need to see the supposed 'depth' at linebacker before my mind gets changed on that.

 

[OldEngland]

I'd like to see Dippre, Westover and Arkin fight it out for that TE3 slot, but have always irrationally pulled for the UDFAs.
That the Pats have the luxury of four young OTs they may want to keep may be a factor as well.

 

[rkarp1]

We need a backup C/G, and ILB an EDGE rusher. If Landry is healthy, EDGE is the lowest priority of the three. If he is not, it is the highest proity.

you don't like Ben Brown as IOL insurance? or are you looking for a 4th guy?

 

[rkarp1]

I don't love having to rely on a rookie that isn't projected to make an impact.
example: Raridon. he is a project. perhaps he will be a contributor immediately. but chances are, he will not. he was the #95 pick. Asiasi was the #91 pick. Keene was the #101 pick. I am not saying it will be the same, but Henry is not playing wire to wire every game, even if healthy.
Hooper gave us over 500 snaps on offense last season. he also caught 77% of his 26 targets. he had 13 1st downs and 2 TD's.
can Raridon come close to that?
Would Dippre, Tanner and Raridon combined get anywhere close to that?

 

[PatsFan2]

I don't love having to rely on a rookie that isn't projected to make an impact.
example: Raridon. he is a project. perhaps he will be a contributor immediately. but chances are, he will not. he was the #95 pick. Asiasi was the #91 pick. Keene was the #101 pick. I am not saying it will be the same, but Henry is not playing wire to wire every game, even if healthy.
Hooper gave us over 500 snaps on offense last season. he also caught 77% of his 26 targets. he had 13 1st downs and 2 TD's.
can Raridon come close to that?
Would Dippre, Tanner and Raridon combined get anywhere close to that?

I'm giving Eli Raridon a mulligan just because he was Drafted by Vrabel and not BB. I don't want any memories of BB Drafting record: the Bad ones are just bad nightmarish.
B

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

I'd love to kick the tires on Bobby Wagner too. I don't necessarily want him playing 70 snaps a game, obviously, but I'd need to see the supposed 'depth' at linebacker before my mind gets changed on that.

Agreed.
On paper our LBs are far from impressive.
Would not be opposed to bringing in Wagner on a 1 yr deal.
He’s old, but still makes plays in the run game and blitzing.
His coverage grades have dropped over the past few years, but can still be a contributor if used correctly.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

I'm giving Eli Raridon a mulligan just because he was Drafted by Vrabel and not BB. I don't want any memories of BB Drafting record: the Bad ones are just bad nightmarish.
B

Bill really hit on the TE double dip with Gronk and Killer.
Other than that his picks at TE were pretty bad.
The Graham Watson picks were ok, but I would classify them as disappointing relative to their first rd draft position.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I'd love to kick the tires on Bobby Wagner too. I don't necessarily want him playing 70 snaps a game, obviously, but I'd need to see the supposed 'depth' at linebacker before my mind gets changed on that.

Agree completely.

 

[rkarp1]

Agree completely.

you can't "kick the tires" on a player that wont sign with out a guarantee of multiple millions.
Wagner falls into that category

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

you can't "kick the tires" on a player that wont sign with out a guarantee of multiple millions.
Wagner falls into that category

Kicking the tires would be just that.
Calling the agent, asking what his demands are and going from there.

 

[JoeSixPat]

There's still some edge rushers out there worth considering. There's also some chatter about trading for Maxx Crosby but that strikes me as more of a mid-season trade line deal if the Pats are in contention, and the Raiders are not (as they won't be.)

Crosby has an out in his contract after 2028 with no cap hit so they wouldn't be on the hook for his over 30 years

NFL free agents: Four edge rushers Patriots should consider signing

The Patriots need more depth at edge rusher before the 2026 NFL season, and these four free agents could help them a lot.

www.nbcsportsboston.com

 

[Wozzy]

Bill really hit on the TE double dip with Gronk and Killer.
Other than that his picks at TE were pretty bad.
The Graham Watson picks were ok, but I would classify them as disappointing relative to their first rd draft position.

I suggested at the draft the Pats double dip at TE and was verbally assaulted by some deep thinker.

Boy, that aged like milk.

 

[jdlboot14]

Jonnu Smith is sounding better all the time. He's 1 year removed from a top-5 TE season 88/884/8.
I know it may have soured when he left here, but that was the bitter end of BB"s tenure & freaking Mac Jones & Zappe.
This would be very different, and we have to have production ready behind Henry.

 

[mgteich]

you don't like Ben Brown as IOL insurance? or are you looking for a 4th guy?

I'm looking for the 4th guy, who can replace Wallace on the roster and be a 2nd backup at both center and guard.