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

 

[imahobgoblin]

This you?




Solid take…

Yes, stupid. Look at the date. And no, you did not expect the incredible season we had last year. Go back to your dementia. Hey guess what. We drafted 1 TE.

 

[DaBruinz]

Very different playing styles. I still like Hill, no way to know he would be injured so can’t blame the team for wasting FA $$$ on him.

But I would be okay seeing the Pats get Parkinson. Stoves a problem this year, lines up Hunter’s replacement for next year. Having Parkinson, Hill, and Raridon for the 2027 season looks okay to me.

Do the Rams need a WR? Would you trade Boutte for him?

The Rams might need a WR. They have Davante Adams, Puka Nacua (who could be facing disciplinary action), CJ Daniels (rookie), Xavier Smith (their 3rd WR from 2025). But, it should be noted that the Rams use a LOT of 3 TE sets. Parkinson had 56 targets while Higbee and Allen each had over 30. The Rams bottom 3 WRs last year totalled 72 targets compared to 150 for the Rams 4 TEs..

Boutte could be insurance if Nacua suffers any discipline and for 2027 if Adams doesn't return (currently 2027 is a void year for Adams).

That being said, Boutte is 24, Parkinson is 27. I'd want a late round pick with Parkinson because of the age difference

 

[DaBruinz]

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

The Pats have 34M in cap space this year though Jacas contract hasn't been signed. They still need 10-15M for #52/#53, the 16 PS and to cover injuries. So, that 34M just became 19M. I listed off 3 free agents that will have to be replaced after the 2026 season, but there are more. I didn't mention Demario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollns, and Christian Ellis. Then you have Cory Durden as an RFA and multiple potential ERFA. They all cost money and that 24M will disappear quickly, Not to mention next year's draft picks and the money needed for next year's 52/53/ practice squad and injury replacements.

I used McDuffie's contract because that's a much better indicator of what Gonzalez s going to be looking at. I'm figuring that Gonzo is looking at 4yr/$140M - 5yr/$200M with $110M-$160M guaranteed. Gonzalez will probably get $16M SB with $2M Salary his first year as well as a "Roster bonus" of some sort ($4-6M). With the Roster bonus and Salary guaranteed.

Crosby's salary is $30M. The Patriots would have to immediately convert salary to signing bonus if Crosby passes his physical. That means you're pushing a significant chuck into the next few years. Let's say they convert $28M to SB. That would lower this year's hit by $21M. But that raise's Crosby's 2027 hit to $36M, eating 7M of the $24M in projected free space. If cut after 2027 in this scenario, you're now eating $14M in dead cap space n 2028.

Saying that this is "just the next two years" is erroneous as adding Crosby would cost 1st round picks. Something the Patriots already don't have in 2028 because of the crappy Brown trade. Do you honestly think the Raiders would accept 2027 and 2029 1st rounders for him? The fact you're willing to make a $60M bet on Crosby and have the team set back because they are without 1st round picks for the next two or three years is scary. In my opinion, it's borderline insane because the Pats issues on defense are at LB. Not Edge.

 

[Wozzy]

Yes, stupid. Look at the date. And no, you did not expect the incredible season we had last year. Go back to your dementia. Hey guess what. We drafted 1 TE.

Yeah stupid that was last years prediction thread. You were dead wrong, as usual.

My prediction was the Pats win the AFC… if I was anymore correct I’d need an award.

Two rookie TE’s would have been better… like I told you at the draft.

 

[imahobgoblin]

Yeah stupid that was last years prediction thread. You were dead wrong, as usual.

My prediction was the Pats win the AFC… if I was anymore correct I’d need an award.

Two rookie TE’s would have been better… like I told you at the draft.

All people say things that are dead wrong. You more than most. I don't have time to document all the stupid stuff you post. The difference between us is that I admit when I am wrong, and you are the idiot who keeps promoting fantasy.

Now this is where your dementia and lack of honesty comes in. We picked OT in 1 and ED in 2. Now read this slowly. I wish I could write it in crayon for you. By the time we picked in 3, Sadiq, Stowers, Boerkircher, Klein, Klare, Roush, Delp, and Kacmarek were already gone. This was unexpected, and a few huge reaches are in there. After we picked Raridon, Hibner, Joly, Bredeson, Sharp, and Endries were taken. For the 2nd time in this thread, which are just too stupid to understand, those drafted after Raridon are a total crap shoot or just trash. There was no difference between signing a UDFA TE and wasting a pick between rounds 4-7. We kept the pic and signed Tanner Arkin. Joly was the flyer who has potential, but the guy cannot block and in undersized. He does not fit what we need. He would in no way be a replacement for Hill. There is not a single TE in the draft after Raridon that fits what we have in Hill. Picking one would have have helped this team. What you refuse to acknowledge is that Hill's injury was predictable proving we had to draft two TE. Just stop it. It was a freak injury.

To claim it would have been better to draft two TE is just wrong. OL and ED were necessities in 1 and 2. We would have had to package picks to get a TE before Raridon. That would have been stupid, and that probably why you would have done it. You post stupid stuff.

The whole argument we had in the draft thread was about all these things. It was easy to see the good TEs were gone and the Pats would not waste a draft pick. You seriously cannot understand this. You just lie and change the topic. In fact, here is what will happen: You will totally ignore the points in this reply and be an idiot by responding about something not related. Its just what you do.

 

[Wozzy]

All people say things that are dead wrong. You more than most. I don't have time to document all the stupid stuff you post. The difference between us is that I admit when I am wrong, and you are the idiot who keeps promoting fantasy.

Now this is where your dementia and lack of honesty comes in. We picked OT in 1 and ED in 2. Now read this slowly. I wish I could write it in crayon for you. By the time we picked in 3, Sadiq, Stowers, Boerkircher, Klein, Klare, Roush, Delp, and Kacmarek were already gone. This was unexpected, and a few huge reaches are in there. After we picked Raridon, Hibner, Joly, Bredeson, Sharp, and Endries were taken. For the 2nd time in this thread, which are just too stupid to understand, those drafted after Raridon are a total crap shoot or just trash. There was no difference between signing a UDFA TE and wasting a pick between rounds 4-7. We kept the pic and signed Tanner Arkin. Joly was the flyer who has potential, but the guy cannot block and in undersized. He does not fit what we need. He would in no way be a replacement for Hill. There is not a single TE in the draft after Raridon that fits what we have in Hill. Picking one would have have helped this team. What you refuse to acknowledge is that Hill's injury was predictable proving we had to draft two TE. Just stop it. It was a freak injury.

To claim it would have been better to draft two TE is just wrong. OL and ED were necessities in 1 and 2. We would have had to package picks to get a TE before Raridon. That would have been stupid, and that probably why you would have done it. You post stupid stuff.

The whole argument we had in the draft thread was about all these things. It was easy to see the good TEs were gone and the Pats would not waste a draft pick. You seriously cannot understand this. You just lie and change the topic. In fact, here is what will happen: You will totally ignore the points in this reply and be an idiot by responding about something not related. Its just what you do.

This is a lot of words, you asked me for an alternative and I gave you a good TE prospect in the 7th round where the Pats completely threw away a pick instead. Sean Payton and his operation in Denver are good at recognizing talent also.

I admit when I’m wrong all the time… time to stop deflecting.

 

[imahobgoblin]

This is a lot of words, you asked me for an alternative and I gave you a good TE prospect in the 7th round where the Pats completely threw away a pick instead. Sean Payton and his operation in Denver are good at recognizing talent also.

I admit when I’m wrong all the time… time to stop deflecting.

A lot of true words either lazy people or tose with poor reading comprehension cannot handle. I predicted what you would do, and you did it.

You claim Dallen Bentley would have been a good pick for us. Really? Bentley functioned as a "move" tight end during his breakout 2025 season at Utah. Its well document he struggles with technique and discipline as a blocker. 2025 was a better year, but he is a project for Denver.

Bentley is not a Hill replacement. He would replace Henry or Raridon, or give depth behind them. We don't need that. If you had your way, we would have had 4 TE and a FB on the roster, which is not possible. You refuse to understand that Hill was brought in because he is a physical inline and second-level run blocker. He is known for his aggressive blocking at the point of attack, and made a name for himself opening rushing lanes in Miami's ground game for Achane who had 1,350 yards in 2025. Bentley does not equal Hill.

Tanner Arkin is an old-school,physically imposing in-line blocker who excels at the point of attack. He is actually an elite blocker already who demonstrates excellent run-blocking effort and technique, frequently stepping in as an extra offensive lineman on the perimeter.

We had major o-line problems in 2024. They were addressed with some AVT, Lomu, and Crownover, but thats not all. Hill and Gilliam were great signings to protect Drake and run the ball more. Hill went down. Bentley does nothing to help this team as you are trying to suggest. Its Dippre and Arkan fighting for the Hill spot.

But I can't fix stupid or make you understand. It just is what it is.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I'd prefer a team cutting loose a veteran C. I don't trust Wilson....at all.

I'd also like to see a veteran LB looking who is looking to sign with a contending team.

 

[Wozzy]

A lot of true words either lazy people or tose with poor reading comprehension cannot handle. I predicted what you would do, and you did it.

You claim Dallen Bentley would have been a good pick for us. Really? Bentley functioned as a "move" tight end during his breakout 2025 season at Utah. Its well document he struggles with technique and discipline as a blocker. 2025 was a better year, but he is a project for Denver.

Bentley is not a Hill replacement. He would replace Henry or Raridon, or give depth behind them. We don't need that. If you had your way, we would have had 4 TE and a FB on the roster, which is not possible. You refuse to understand that Hill was brought in because he is a physical inline and second-level run blocker. He is known for his aggressive blocking at the point of attack, and made a name for himself opening rushing lanes in Miami's ground game for Achane who had 1,350 yards in 2025. Bentley does not equal Hill.

Tanner Arkin is an old-school,physically imposing in-line blocker who excels at the point of attack. He is actually an elite blocker already who demonstrates excellent run-blocking effort and technique, frequently stepping in as an extra offensive lineman on the perimeter.

We had major o-line problems in 2024. They were addressed with some AVT, Lomu, and Crownover, but thats not all. Hill and Gilliam were great signings to protect Drake and run the ball more. Hill went down. Bentley does nothing to help this team as you are trying to suggest. Its Dippre and Arkan fighting for the Hill spot.

But I can't fix stupid or make you understand. It just is what it is.

You think the quick search you did of "Dallen Bentley scouting report" online is a smart response and the answer to this debate. It won't be either of our opinions that answers this question. How Bentley plays in relation to Quintayvious Hutchins will answer this question.

Bentley is 6'4" 253 pounds, or the exact same size and similar excellent athleticism to Austin Hooper coming out of college... they could be twins, Bentley is a shade stronger though... hardly a move tight end, but definitely a great athlete who projects anywhere. All in all a great pick in the 7th for the Broncos, and Hutchins likely a terrible pick considering he's a crappy athlete and already been arrested.

But I'm sure this prediction will be similar to your Patriots prediction for 2025... stupid... and didn't age well at all. You were already wrong about not double dipping at TE in the 2026 draft.

 

[captain stone]

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.

8 of them, to be exact. 3 of them are UDFAs, however, so out of the 5 remaining, I think it's Davis Allen who becomes available and the Lams keep the other 4. Pats are probably just gonna wait & see how their own 2 UDFAs look before doing anything about it, unfortunately.

 

[captain stone]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25443855-5-cut-candidates-who-should-be-every-nfl-teams-radar

#s 3 & 5 please.