Additional FA Needs

[DaBruinz]

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

Last I looked. BB's record (in season and drafting) is still better than yours.

 

[DaBruinz]

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

I don't see Crosby as a viable option due to his contract. The Pats just took on a huge contract in Brown and they have several players who are in need of new contracts over the next 2 years. The biggest are Gonzalez and Maye. The Pats are looking at roughly 24M in cap going into 2027 if they have no carry-over. Yes, they'll potentially free up some money if they can get a Gonzalez deal done and the 1st year hit is less than $18M, but how much will be the question. McDuffie's 1st year hit is 10.8M. We should figure that is the lowest that Gonzalez's contract will be so, maybe it free's up $8M. But they'd still have to address LB in 2027 as well as the plethora of Vets that will be UFA.. Not the least of which will be Onwenu. But also Byard, Henry, Baringer and more.

 

[DaBruinz]

How high a pick are you willing to give to another team for their #3 TE?

I suspect that we kept Dippre on the roster for exactly this situation. But sure, we might sign someone else's #4 after the final cuts.

There will be plenty of TEs who get cut at the end of Training Camp. No need to trade for them unless there is someone that Vrabel MUST have.

 

[DaBruinz]

Vannett and Fitzpatrick (returning from injury) are available free agents that fill the need, and would not cost a ton.
perhaps Dissly too.

I know some believe PFF is toilet paper, but Vannett graded out elite as both a run and pass blocker

Vannett graded out at a 66 for run blocking in 2025. But he graded at a 32 in Pass Blocking.
Prior to 2025, Vannett's last season above a 60 in run blocking was 2018. Vannett has been trash the last 2 years as a pass-blocker. He's had 3 seasons where he'd be considered "GOOD". None of his seasons would be considered "ELITE". Why do you insist on exaggerating things that are so easily disproven?

 

[DaBruinz]

Who is the third string center?

Jacob Rizy was signed to be the 3rd string center.

 

[TommyD4207]

Last I looked. BB's record (in season and drafting) is still better than yours.

What? You don't think trading #4 overall for Justin Fields is a good deal?

 

[DaBruinz]

When has Lomu ever played center?

Lomu has never been a center. That's Andy talk out of his arse.

 

[DaBruinz]

Patriots are in prime position to capitalize on Rams' $7 million dilemma

When the New England Patriots signed Julian Hill to a three-year, $15 million contract this spring, it looked like their tight end room was set for 2026. Howeve

musketfire.com

He's^ way better than the Miami guy on IR: who we wasted FA $$$$ on. The Rams have like 15 TE's.

Parkinson is not a better blocker than Hill. At best, Parkinson is a downgrade as a blocker and an upgrade as a pass catcher.

The Pats didn't WASTE the money. No one can predict injuries like what happened. FFS. Stop sniffing glue.

 

[JoeSixPat]

I don't see Crosby as a viable option due to his contract. The Pats just took on a huge contract in Brown and they have several players who are in need of new contracts over the next 2 years. The biggest are Gonzalez and Maye. The Pats are looking at roughly 24M in cap going into 2027 if they have no carry-over. Yes, they'll potentially free up some money if they can get a Gonzalez deal done and the 1st year hit is less than $18M, but how much will be the question. McDuffie's 1st year hit is 10.8M. We should figure that is the lowest that Gonzalez's contract will be so, maybe it free's up $8M. But they'd still have to address LB in 2027 as well as the plethora of Vets that will be UFA.. Not the least of which will be Onwenu. But also Byard, Henry, Baringer and more.

I hear you on the cap, but in general, if there's a player you want, a team can always find a way to restructure to add a guy if it's a priority

I'm not saying Crosby is it, but when you have top edge rushers getting $40-$50 million a year (there's six making over $40 mil a year) Crosby's $30 million for the next 2 years seems as much of a bargain as Brown is at $30 mil as well.

If Sauce Gardner's extension is any indication from last year, we'd be looking at a $14 million signing bonus but a $9-10 million cap hit in Year 1 - it doesn't get really expensive until later.

They've got about $35-38 million in cap space right now so there'd have to be some other restructuring somewhere to make it happen with Gonzo

But again, this is just for the next 2 years as they can cut Crosby with no dead money after 2027