My Ridiculously Early Start on a 2026 Offseason Plan

stelfans said:

If they get another EDGE like Chaisson, WR would have to be the pick at 31 right? Either by trade or trough the draft.
Omar Cooper, Chris Bell, Denzel Boston, Malachi Fields?

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They still look to be in on AJ Brown. I don't love the idea of giving up a 2027 1st which is the rumour.

stelfans said:

If they get another EDGE like Chaisson, WR would have to be the pick at 31 right? Either by trade or trough the draft.
Omar Cooper, Chris Bell, Denzel Boston, Malachi Fields?

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Well, it would certainly depends on who's available. Bell and Fields should not be taken in Rd 1, period.

Maybe Cooper, Boston, or Concepcion.

While id say that WR would be the biggest need, if one isnt available, you dont want to reach for one. Trade down if that's the spot you think you have to go. Or, maybe it opens up the possibility of an OT. While im not a fan of drafting Moses' replacement in Rd1 to sit all year, if that player is capable of being the backup at LT and RT, it makes more sense.

Or if an LB is the BPA, grab that spot.

S is still a need as well.

So we shouldnt be focused on just 1 spot at 31 imo.

Dobbs is part of the group now.

Rdforty2 said:

I dont know why its so popular to bring up cutting Onwenu or expecting this to be his last year.

All this talk of protecting Drake at all costs and the solution is to cut the best OL we had in '25? I get the talk of a Moses replacement because of age. But Onwenu just turned 28 around Christmas. He could legitimately be a top guard for another 5 years or more. Hes been incredibly durable. Hes in his prime. If were talking about drafting a Moses replacement this year, youre going to want a veteran in at guard. 4 guys on their rookie deals doesn't bring a ton of experience to the unit. With 3 guys in rookie deals(on the thought process of drsfting an RT), its a fine spot to pay a guard. We already had bumps along the way with 2 young, 1st year starters playing next to each other this year. Why strive to re-create that? When Campbell and Wilson need extending, then you can look to plug in a youngster on the line.

Extending Onwenu makes a lot more sense than cutting him to me.

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I don't have a crystal ball, but my reasoning:

1. Onwenu is in a contract year, and will turn 30 in 2027.

2. RG is generally the least critical position on the OL, the last in terms of priority, and the easiest to fill.

3. Onwenu has been good at times, but he has been very inconsistent, too. Weight and motivation have been issues.

4. Onwenu was drafted and extended by previous regimes. I don't think he is Mike Vrabel's kind of guy, and the Pats have moved on from similar player situations (Kyle Duggar, Keion White, Ja'Lynn Polk, etc.).

5. Onwenu does not fit with the "younger, better theme."

6. Onwenu does not fit the athletic profile the Pats seem to prefer. He is a "phone booth" mailer, buy his lack of athleticism limits his mobility. The AVT signing (over someone like David Edwards) and the Campbell/Wilson draft picks are consistent with this dorection; Onwenu is not.

7. Onwenu's contract was a massive overpay, and a bit of an embarrassment. His $17.5M cap savings could probably be used better elsewhere.

8. There are a ton of more athletic prospects in the 2026 and 2027 drafts. Some could upgrade Onwenu day 1, others could probably step in by 2027.

An Onwenu extension is certainly not out of the question, and I've included that several times in this thread. But there have been no rumblings on either side, and I personally think it's unlikely.

The Pats are currently under no pressure to cut/trade Onwenu. Keeping him for 2026 makes sense, unless the team finds better value to spend his money that would be saved. They can bide their time and see what opportunities arise. But I don't see a likely long-term role.

My best guess is the Pats let Onwenu test the market in 2027, if he lasts that long.

Rdforty2 said:

Dobbs is part of the group now.

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Hopefully, Doubs works out. Not sure about the bugler Dobbs from F Troop.

Rdforty2 said:

I dont know why its so popular to bring up cutting Onwenu or expecting this to be his last year.

All this talk of protecting Drake at all costs and the solution is to cut the best OL we had in '25? I get the talk of a Moses replacement because of age. But Onwenu just turned 28 around Christmas. He could legitimately be a top guard for another 5 years or more. Hes been incredibly durable. Hes in his prime. If were talking about drafting a Moses replacement this year, youre going to want a veteran in at guard. 4 guys on their rookie deals doesn't bring a ton of experience to the unit. With 3 guys in rookie deals(on the thought process of drsfting an RT), its a fine spot to pay a guard. We already had bumps along the way with 2 young, 1st year starters playing next to each other this year. Why strive to re-create that? When Campbell and Wilson need extending, then you can look to plug in a youngster on the line.

Extending Onwenu makes a lot more sense than cutting him to me.

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Whenever there is a veteran player making in the $20M range who is coming up for a new contract, there is always going to be speculation that the team could draft a replacement and save a lot of the cap. That is what Vrabel means when he says younger, better, and cheaper.

The draft guys say there are a lot of 2027 RG prospects, including RT to RG conversion projects, which fuels drafting a RT this year to replace Moses and a RG next year to replace Onwenu. That makes the team younger and saves a lot in cap.

Not a fan of the Doubs signing. Assume Pop Douglas cut/traded.

Doubs/Boutte/Williams a decent trio, need to stretch field more, still need an ankle-breaker.

mayoclinic said:

I don't have a crystal ball, but my reasoning:

1. Onwenu is in a contract year, and will turn 30 in 2027.

2. RG is generally the least critical position on the OL, the last in terms of priority, and the easiest to fill.

3. Onwenu has been good at times, but he has been very inconsistent, too. Weight and motivation have been issues.

4. Onwenu was drafted and extended by previous regimes. I don't think he is Mike Vrabel's kind of guy, and the Pats have moved on from similar player situations (Kyle Duggar, Keion White, Ja'Lynn Polk, etc.).

5. Onwenu does not fit with the "younger, better theme."

6. Onwenu does not fit the athletic profile the Pats seem to prefer. He is a "phone booth" mailer, buy his lack of athleticism limits his mobility. The AVT signing (over someone like David Edwards) and the Campbell/Wilson draft picks are consistent with this dorection; Onwenu is not.

7. Onwenu's contract was a massive overpay, and a bit of an embarrassment. His $17.5M cap savings could probably be used better elsewhere.

8. There are a ton of more athletic prospects in the 2026 and 2027 drafts. Some could upgrade Onwenu day 1, others could probably step in by 2027.

An Onwenu extension is certainly not out of the question, and I've included that several times in this thread. But there have been no rumblings on either side, and I personally think it's unlikely.

The Pats are currently under no pressure to cut/trade Onwenu. Keeping him for 2026 makes sense, unless the team finds better value to spend his money that would be saved. They can bide their time and see what opportunities arise. But I don't see a likelybling-term role.

My best guess is the Pats let Onwenu test the market in 2027, if he lasts that long.

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1. 30 is not some death knell for an OL. And for the record, he doesnt turn 30 until the very tail end of the season.

2. I dont necessarily disagree. But if you only have 1 OL on a bigger deal(AVT), you can afford to spend. Under the scenario I lay out(drafting Moses replacement), that puts 3 guys on rookie deals on the OL. Experience will matter. And lining up 1st year starters at RG and RT would not be ideal.

3. While at RG, he's been pretty steadily a quality player. Its the moving him around that's hindered him. I dont think hes moving anywhere but RG for the rest of his career.

4. Vrabel cleaned house immediately last year but kept Onwenu.

5. Youre not going to be "younger, better" everywhere. You need experience on the team. And having 3 rookie contract OL, the OL will be plenty young enough. Moses didnt fit the younger, better mold and they acted quick to sign him last year.

6. He didnt fit the mold of lines under Belichick, either. We famously liked to take college tackles and move them inside. We preferred mobility over sheer power. But he was still valuable then and now. And again, we cleaned house last year. And he was kept. And now, you saw him in this system and he was the teams best lineman. He may not fit the ideal physical profile, but he was still the best lineman the team had, in this system.

7. It may have been a little bit of an overpay but its not that bad. It is not an embarrassment. Hes a borderline top 10 guard being paid as the 8-10 OG. A new deal will look different. And talk if cutting him now to save money is pretty stupid. We have space. Cutting him for more space just opens up another massive hole. Any move would be lateral, at best. Moving your best OL to create a hole just doesnt make sense.

8. There are always more athletic guys available. They doesnt mean theyre better.

Maybe Onwenu isnt kept after next year. But its absolutely ridiculous to suggest he should be cut this year. I also just happen to think itd be a mistake to go all young on the OL. 2 more 1st year starters on the OL a year from now is not how a contender needs to operate. Experience matters. A 29 year old quality guard is not something you have to move on from when you have 3 guys on rookie contracts. If anything, his experience is exactly what you want. Especially for multiple seasons, developing chemistry with the young C next to you.

Again, I've said extending Onwenu is an option. Doubt it will happen, but ok if it does.

Trading Onwenu last year was unlikely because of his contract.

Cutting Onwenu this year only makes sense if the Pats want to use his $$ elsewhere, and if they have a replacement plan.

WR
EDGE (probably x2)
TE 2 (at minimum) (including FB)
Safety
LG
NT
Backup LT
Backup RT (maybe)
RB3
Backup MLB
CB depth

Updated. The draft is starting to take shape.

Rnd 1 - EDGE (but I'd take RT)
Rnd 2 - Safety
Rnd 3 TE/LB
Rnd 4 - Swing tackle (if none in the first).

That's what I'm thinking. Hopefully more to come in FA.

manxman2601 said:

WR
EDGE (probably x2)
TE 2 (at minimum) (including FB)
Safety
LG
NT
Backup LT
Backup RT (maybe)
RB3
Backup MLB
CB depth

Updated. The draft is starting to take shape.

Rnd 1 - EDGE (but I'd take RT)
Rnd 2 - Safety
Rnd 3 TE/LB
Rnd 4 - Swing tackle (if none in the first).

That's what I'm thinking. Hopefully more to come in FA.

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Good thoughts. Waiting to see how rest of FA plays out.

- Still think there's is more to come at EDGE and S.

- I expect a swing tackle signing (Munford or Wlls).

- Leo Chenal would decrease LB need. Kyle Louis (if he falls) or a day 3 speedy LB an option.

- Nahshon Wright/Riq Woolen would obviate need for a 3rd outside CB in the draft.

manxman2601 said:

WR
EDGE (probably x2)
TE 2 (at minimum) (including FB)
Safety
LG
NT
Backup LT
Backup RT (maybe)
RB3
Backup MLB
CB depth

Updated. The draft is starting to take shape.

Rnd 1 - EDGE (but I'd take RT)
Rnd 2 - Safety
Rnd 3 TE/LB
Rnd 4 - Swing tackle (if none in the first).

That's what I'm thinking. Hopefully more to come in FA.

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You really think this the WR group they are going with?
I can’t believe that, I’m with mayo, pop is as good as gone.

stelfans said:

You really think this the WR group they are going with?
I can’t believe that, I’m with mayo, pop is as good as gone.

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I'm just looking at needs per the roster as it currently is. Doubs is a one for one replacement for Diggs. What else happens at WR is beyond the scope of what I was trying to do.

manxman2601 said:

I'm just looking at needs per the roster as it currently is. Doubs is a one for one replacement for Diggs. What else happens at WR is beyond the scope of what I was trying to do.

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Every championship team is different. Who were Mahime’s wr’s in 2022 and 2023? A great QB can get the most out of good wr’s. Don’t need great ones. But, said QB must have a good OL. Gimme a T at 31 in case Moses doesn’t make it thru the season.

manxman2601 said:

I'm just looking at needs per the roster as it currently is. Doubs is a one for one replacement for Diggs. What else happens at WR is beyond the scope of what I was trying to do.

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I have Doubs, Boutte, Williams, Hollins and Chism locked in for now. Pop Douglas is expendable.

Unless a value opportunity arises (Boston, Bell, Hurst), I do not see a need to target WR before day 3.

No Chenal I'm afraid.

That one pisses me off. 3/$25 very reasonable, would make a run.

d%#*!@t, Manx.

3/$24.75. I had 3/$27 as a projected offer.

"Swoop in" time.

manxman2601 said:

Rnd 1 - EDGE (but I'd take RT)
Rnd 2 - Safety
Rnd 3 TE/LB
Rnd 4 - Swing tackle (if none in the first).

That's what I'm thinking. Hopefully more to come in FA.

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Those are needs, but are you suggesting that's what we should/will do in those rds?
We can't, and won't lock into positions.
We need to draft for value.
And I still see WR as an earlier need if the value is there.