My Ridiculously Early Start on a 2026 Offseason Plan

manxman2601 · Feb 28, 2026

“The Patriots are happy that the strengths of this draft class, specifically edge rusher and tight end, have aligned with their needs”.

Article goes on to specifically mention Sam Roush and Will Kacmarek. Whether those are leaked names or Journo speculation isn’t clear although I suspect the latter.

mayoclinic · Feb 28, 2026

Would you trade one of our 4th rounders for Thibodeaux?

manxman2601 · Feb 28, 2026

mayoclinic said:
Would you trade one of our 4th rounders for Thibodeaux?

I'm not very good on trade values or on scouting NFL players so I don't know.

If I was to guess, they're targeting EDGE in the first, have the 2nd in their back pocket for a trade for a WR with a TE in the 3rd or 4th. But it's too early to be sure. Interior OL in the 4th or 5th too.

If the Pats journos were better at their job, we'd have more info on combine meetings. They might not lead to the player, but certainly to the positional value they're targeting ie EDGE in the 1st, 3-tech late day 3.

I wonder if they see RT as priority next year. They're not afraid to throw a rookie in at the deep end.

mayoclinic · Feb 28, 2026

Latest reports suggest Patriots are unlikely to land big-name edge rusher before NFL Draft

The Patriots have a big need for an edge rusher, but it doesn't appear they'll land any of the top names on the market.

www.boston.com

dliverey44 · Feb 28, 2026

manxman2601 said:

I also view Chaisson in the same tier with those guys, but I think each those guys are better than Chaisson against the run. i do not think they can get to the QB as well though.

manxman2601 · Mar 2, 2026

This where a first round RT becomes a possibility for us - us signing two FA edge rushers.

Add two FA edges, draft a RT in the first whether it's Iheanachor or Miller, then WR (Antonio Williams, Bernard) in the 2nd or edge (DDS, Crawford).

I could see AJ Brown being a post June 1st trade too. That would be a quality off-season.

manxman2601 · Mar 2, 2026

manxman2601 said:
This where a first round RT becomes a possibility for us - us signing two FA edge rushers.

Add two FA edges, draft a RT in the first whether it's Iheanachor or Miller, then WR (Antonio Williams, Bernard) in the 2nd or edge (DDS, Crawford).

I could see AJ Brown being a post June 1st trade too. That would be a quality off-season.

FA - Re-sign Chaisson, sign Oweh or Phillips
Keep Diggs.

R1 - Miller or Iheanachor
R2 - DDS or A Williams
R3 Keyron Crawford if Williams in the 2nd.

Post June 1 - Trade for AJ Brown maybe giving up Boutte.

Brown and Diggs would be an awesome combination. I also like the idea of, from time to time, using Hollins opposite Brown in 13 sets. He'd be like a flex TE with his size and blocking. It would be like having 4 TEs and would be a huge boon in the run game.

If Campbell and Wilson show improvement, that's a SB winning team.

Clonamery · Mar 2, 2026

manxman2601 said:
This where a first round RT becomes a possibility for us - us signing two FA edge rushers.

Add two FA edges, draft a RT in the first whether it's Iheanachor or Miller, then WR (Antonio Williams, Bernard) in the 2nd or edge (DDS, Crawford).

I could see AJ Brown being a post June 1st trade too. That would be a quality off-season.

Wouldn't Phily want a '26 pick to get a WR replacement with trade official post 6/1?

manxman2601 · Mar 2, 2026

Clonamery said:
Wouldn't Phily want a '26 pick to get a WR replacement with trade official post 6/1?

That's why you include Boutte in the trade. Trading him post June 1st pretty much halves the dead cap in 2026. My worry is that they'd expect a 2027 1st which I wouldn't want to give up. Brown would only count for approx 7m cap wise for us.

One-If-By-Sea · Mar 2, 2026

manxman2601 said:
That's why you include Boutte in the trade. Trading him post June 1st pretty much halves the dead cap in 2026. My worry is that they'd expect a 2027 1st which I wouldn't want to give up. Brown would only count for approx 7m cap wise for us.

Maybe I am completely wrong but I am not a AJ Brown guy. I like getting younger, cheaper, and better through the draft while supplementing a few spots with FA. It is always first about the QB, and then about how well the team drafts. We have the QB, now we have to draft a lot and well. Guys like AJ Brown seem like a distraction. Diggs worked out well, but I think that is the exception.

manxman2601 · Mar 2, 2026

One-If-By-Sea said:
Maybe I am completely wrong but I am not a AJ Brown guy. I like getting younger, cheaper, and better through the draft while supplementing a few spots with FA. It is always first about the QB, and then about how well the team drafts. We have the QB, now we have to draft a lot and well. Guys like AJ Brown seem like a distraction. Diggs worked out well, but I think that is the exception.

I want to go through the draft too but it does seem like there's interest in Brown for the right price. and Brown is better*, cheaper** and younger than Diggs. I'd still keep Diggs for another year though while we prepare his successor.

* They had almost identical stats in 2025 although Brown had 3 more TDs. I also think an X WR1 has more value than a slot.

** I believe Brown costs approx 7m against the cap in 2026-27.

I'm just making the devil's advocate case for the trade.

One-If-By-Sea · Mar 2, 2026

manxman2601 said:
I'm just making the devil's advocate case for the trade.

I know and Brown is younger than Diggs. It is hard to know because we don't know what they think about last year's rookies.

Clonamery · Mar 2, 2026

manxman2601 said:
That's why you include Boutte in the trade. Trading him post June 1st pretty much halves the dead cap in 2026. My worry is that they'd expect a 2027 1st which I wouldn't want to give up. Brown would only count for approx 7m cap wise for us.

I don't think they would want Boutte at all.

mayoclinic · Mar 2, 2026

Of note:

Browns agree to acquire Tytus Howard from Texans in trade, sign OT to three-year, $63M extension

dliverey44 · Mar 2, 2026

mayoclinic said:
Of note:

Browns agree to acquire Tytus Howard from Texans in trade, sign OT to three-year, $63M extension

29 years old and played 466 snaps at both OG spots and 555 at RT. Good pass blocker but terrible run blocker. 5th round pick is what Houston got back, so its fathomable to think that Owenu could get a 4th if they decided to go that route.

I am not in the trade Owenu camp because I think he is top 10 RG, but in the mind of younger and cheaper.

dliverey44 · Mar 2, 2026

The NFLSE guys just did a 2 rounder and they had Jacob Rodriguez going 30 and had us taking Jacas at 31 and Jennings Dunker at 63. I would not hate that.

manxman2601 · Mar 5, 2026

My three favourites for pick 63. This assumes we sign Alec Pierce.

Not in order, although I think you can guess who my favourite is of these three.

Treydan Stukes
Zakee Wheatley
Antonio Williams.

mayoclinic · Mar 5, 2026

My 3, as of right now:

DDS (assuming no EDGE at 31)
Stukes
Ted Hurst

mayoclinic · Mar 5, 2026

Assuming this is true, it makes some sense: Pierce is a 25yo big play WR with 4.4 speed. A nucleus of Pierce, Williams and Boutte would be the most dynamic WR group the Pats have had since 2007, and give a solid nucleus as Drake Maye moves into his prime.

If the Pats could re-sign K'Lavon Chaisson, add another EDGE, and sign a LG like AVT, they would be free to focus on RT and EDGE in the draft.

mayoclinic · Mar 5, 2026

Sources: Patriots Expected to Push for Alec Pierce, Bills Eye Another WR; Seahawks Expect Kenneth Walker to Price Himself Out

The NFL’s free agency window doesn’t officially open until next week, but behind the scenes, strategies are quietly shaping up. For three specific teams, the next few days could define their offensive identity for 2024 and beyond. Sources report that the Patriots are preparing a major push for...

www.essentiallysports.com

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