My Ridiculously Early Start on a 2026 Offseason Plan

mayoclinic said:

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.

Click to expand...

Chism, a "lock"? I certainly hope not.

captain stone said:

Chism, a "lock"? I certainly hope not.

Click to expand...

Haven't you seen his workout videos?

Water Boy said:

Haven't you seen his workout videos?

Click to expand...

Did he use Kneal Harry's A/V team...?

gobesmug said:

Why not just keep Barmore and still trade a pick for Thibodeaux making the dline better without weaking it?

Click to expand...

Already suggested as an option. This is if the Pats are considering moving on from Barmore, which is a possibility.

mayoclinic said:

Just a thought, but this article got me thinking:

The Giants still need to address defensive tackle — here’s how they can

The Giants still need to get Dexter Lawrence some help.

www.bigblueview.com

So what about a direct swap: Christian Barmore for Kayvon Thibodeaux? Kind of along the lines of Jermaine Johnson for T'Vondre Sweat.

The trade could help both teams. The Giants would have a formidable DL with Brian Burns and Abdul Carter outside and Barmore and Dexter Lawrence inside.

The Pats would have an EDGE group of Thibodeaux, Dre'Mont Jones, Harold Landry, Christian Ponder and Bradyn Swinson. Definitely an upgrade from 2025. The loss of Barmore would hurt, but the sense is that the team may move on from him.

Thibodeaux is in his option year at $14.75M. He is very unlikely to remain with the Giants, and is rumored to be available for a 4th round pick. The odds are also high that the Pats will move on from Barmore by 2027. A change of scenery could be good for both players.

Barmore's trade value is rumored to be around a Day 3 pick. Trading him would save about $4M in 2026 cap space.

Replacing Barmore may be easier than finding a good EDGE. Cory Durden, Josh Farmer and Leonard Taylor have all shown flashes. And then there is the draft. Caleb Banks could possibly slip to 31, Lee Hunter could slip to 63 or be available through a trade up. A run stuffer like Kayden McDoald could be an option, or Domonique Orange or Darrell Jackson Day 2. The Pats could address RT, S, WR or other areas. For example:

1(31) RT Max Iheanachor or DL Caleb Banks

2(63) S Treydan Stukes or WR Ted Hurst

3(95) DT Darrell Taylor or RT Dametrious Crownover

It also occurred to me that if the Pats did move on from Barmore, they could draft more of a run stuffer like Kayden McDonald, and move Dre'Mont Jones inside in sub packages.

Just a thought.

Click to expand...

It is a great thought. Trade Banks picked in R1 for Barmore and pick up Thibodeaux. Not sure about cap space, but we are better and younger.

From another thread, but relevant here:

"Protect the Drake" is priority #1 for me. I would like to build out the strongest deepest, most athletic OL in the NFL. I would like it in place by 2027. It is even more important than DL/EDGE. IMO, the Pats lost SBs in 2007, 2011, 2017 and 2025 primarily due to OL breakdowns.

I think we are 60% of the way there, at least for starters. Will Campbell, AVT and Jared Wilson are all young, athletic, and under contract through at least 2028. Ben Brown is a solid depth piece.

Mike Onwenu and Morgan Moses are not long term solutions, IMO. That means we need to add starting RG and RT in the next 2 years, along with depth at both tackle and guard. Of those, RT is the more critical position, both in terms of value and priority, with Morgan Moses very unlikely beyond 2026.

RT:

2026 players capable of being immediate starters include Monroe Freeling, Francis Mauigoa, Max Iheanachor, Caleb Lomu, and Blake Miller. Spencer Fano and Kadyn Proctor are also possibilities, but project better inside, IMO. All 7 will go top 40, all could be gone before 31. There is a big dropoff after that.

2026 developmental prospects include Dametrious Crownover, Austin Barber, and Travis Burke. I am not convinced they will become starters, but they have a chance and should provide depth. JC Davis and Fa'alili Fa'amoe are also options, but I think they project better inside.

2027 prospects would need to be ready to start immediately. That, and the importance of the position, makes me favor taking a starting RT at 31 if one of the top prospects is available. If none lasts, the alternative would be to draft a developmental RT day 2-3 and/or address the position in 2027.

2027 options include Trevor Goosby, Jordan Sutton, Jacarius Peak, Niki Prongos, and PJ Williams. All capable of becoming quality RTs. Goosby will likely go top 10. Peak is coming off sn ACL tear.

RG:

This could be any IOL position, as AVT (or even Jared Wilson) could move to RG, but RG is most likely, as I like AVT at LG and Wilson at C, and we have Mike Onwenu signed through 2026.

Extending Mike Onwenu is an option, but I do not feel he has the athleticism to match the left side of the line.

Alternatives include adding a starter in 2026, adding depth in 2026, and adding a starter in 2027. My preference would be to add depth this year, and a starting caliber IOL in 2027 unless Onwenu is extended, or a FA option is found.

2026 starters include Spencer Fano, Francis Mauigoa, Kadyn Proctor, Olaivavega Ioane, Chase Bisontis, Emmanuel Pregnon, Gennings Dunker and possibly Keylon Rutledge. The first 4 would probably cost a day 1 pick.

2026 depth IOL include Jalen Farmer, Billy Schrauth, and Micah Morris. JC Davis and Fa'alili Fa'amoe are also tackle conversions options.

2027 options include Austin Siereveld, Carter Smith, Cayden Green and Kade Pieper. These were all very high on my 2026 list until they chose to return to school. They are all very versatile and athletic.

My plan:

1. Take any of Freeling, Mauigoa, Iheanachor, Lomu or Miller (probably in that order) at 31 if they are available. Having dominant bookend tackles and quality tackle depth is that important, and they are all worth the pick.

2. Consider Fano or Proctor at 31 if the coaching staff believes they could be dominant at either RT or IOL.

3. If RT is addressed at 31, add a day 3 IOL such as Farmer, Schrauth, Morris, Davis or Fa'amoe. Make IOL a day 2 priority in 2027 (Siereveld. Smith, Green, Pieper).

4. If RT is not addressed early, consider developmental options day 2-3, and make it a priority on day 1-2 in 2027.

5. If RT is not addressed day 1-2 in 2026, consider starting RG options day 2 (Bisontis, Pregnon, Dunker).

I think it is essential to get a starting RT through the draft in 2026 or 2027. Moses will be lucky to last through 2026, and finding a quality tackle in FA is nearly impossible.

RG/IOL is important, but not nearly as critical. The Pats have AVT, Wilson, Onwenu and Brown. RG is usually the easiest position to fill and the least critical; if a quality long-term starter cannot be found in the 2026 or 2027 drafts, then a FA stopgap is an alternative, though I hope to build a dominant OL through the draft.

Looking at FA 2027, I see nothing at OL. Peter Skoronski and Darnell Wright will never hit open FA, Ikem Ekwonu is not very athletic and is coming off a patellar tendon tear.

mayoclinic said:

My top 38, divided into 3 groups:

2 QBs, not of interest to the Patriots:

Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

14 players I would prefer the Pats not to take in the 1st round, but who I think are worthy of consideration:

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona St.
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio St.
Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio St.
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Aveion Terrell, CB, Clemson
Chris Bell, WR, Louisville*
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
CK Concepcion, Warren, Texas A&M
CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
Brandon Cisse, CB, S. Carolina
Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

22 players who I would consider at 31/32, in rough order:

Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio St.
David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Caleb Banks, DL, Florida*
Monroe Freeling, OT Georgia
Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio St.
Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami
Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona St.
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio St.
Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee*
TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Lee Hunter, DL, Texas Tech
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Emmanuel Pregnon, IOL, Oregon
Olaivavega Ioane, IOL Penn St.
Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

* Medical evaluation key

Click to expand...

So i have something to ask, and i hate to hit on this again. But i see this over and over from both you and Manx, who are two guys i have the absolute most respect for when it comes to draft break downs. And i am sorry, but i just can not for the life of me understand either of your thought processes when it comes to this.

And that seems to be 'draft OL, disrgard WR'. I know this is an oversimplification, and believe me I am not trying to put words into your mouth. First off, let me say i understand to a degree. WRs IMO are over valued. It has gotten completely out of hand and out of touch with the reality of what football is. The amounts they are paid and the contracts of guards simply do not tend to reflect their real value. The fantasy landscape, highlight reel tidbits on ESPN and jersey sales have all moved the NFL to market and over value exactly what these players give you in the context of an entire offensive system. I am with you there if that is where you are coming from. And I believe you both to be 100% right if that is your thinking.

However, the market has spoken. And whether they are right or wrong, the market kind of makes them right. Look at FA the last few years. Morgan Moses? We got him cheap for a 2-3 year deal and he was arguably our best OL. Vera-Tucker? Got him cheap and he is a pro bowler.

Look who is available right now. Becton, Bition and Zeitler on the interior. Yes some are old in the tooth. But they can be had RIGHT NOW after the signing wave and give you immediate very solid starter production without breaking the bank. For OT? Decker among other options. Yes the pickings are slimmer here, and typically you need to spend earlier in FA to get them. But there seem to be passable options every year and they are not overly expensive.

Now look at WR. Who is EVER available who really moves the needle? Pierce had 1000 yards for the first time this year and cost 29M/year. You can spend for an injured problem child like Diggs for one year and eat a dead cap next year for 1000 yards... but who seemed to fade down the stretch. And it comes with all those issues. Doubs cost you 17-20M a year... and he is an okay #2. If you want to trade for a guy you need to eat a huge contract and usually give up a kings ransom of picks. Maybe if they have issues with their own team you can do better. But it is still costly and you get no discount and lose a valuable asset to pay the total FA price.

This is what the market has decided, right or wrong. Do you consider this when you look at the draft?

I posted my currentv"ideal" draft elsewhere:

My ideal draft:

31. Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona St.
63. Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn St.
95. Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia Tech
125. Kyle Louis, LB/S, Pittsburgh
131. Sam Roush, TE, Stanford
171. VJ Payne, S, Kansas St.
191. Keagan Trost, OL, Missouri
198. Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington
202. Adam Randall, RB, Clemson
212. Eli Heidenreich, WR, Navy
247. Damonte Capehart, DT, Clemson

In trying to come up with this, I realized that there are too many needs, even with 11 picks. Something has to give:

1. OT is a major need, with Will Campbell coming off injury, and Morgan Moses at the end of his issues. We lost , have not yet re-signed Thayer Munford. We need 1-2 players.

2. We replaced K'Lavon Chaisson with Dre'Mont Jones, but Harold Landry has knee issues. We need 1-2 players. We missed out on the top options, did not apparently try hard to re-sign Chaisson.

3. LB: Robert-Spillane, Christian Ellis, and a cloud of dust. Not signing Leo Chenal was a major missed opportunity.

4. S: We replace Jaylin Hawkins with 33yo Kevin Byard, and passed on younger options (Bryan Cook, Nick Cross). We need a #3 S capable of starting in 2027.

5. X WR: We replaced Stephon Diggs with Romeo Doubs, lost out on Alec Pierce.

6. TE: We signed a very good young blocking TE with upside in Julian Hill, who will hopefully upgrade Austin Hooper. But we will need to replace/upgrade Hunter Henry in the next 1-2 years.

7. Outside CB depth. Christian Gonzalez needs to be extended, Carlton Davis is injury-prone and probably on his last year. We passed on reasonably cheap FA options (Riq Woolen, Nahshon Wright). We need a #3 Outside CB capable of starting by 2027).

8. RB depth: We cut Antonio Gibson, will possibly move on from Rhamondre Stevenson in 1-2 years.

9. DT: We lost NT Khyris Tonga. We picked up Christian Barmore's $10M 2026 option, but he is a question mark beyond 2026.

10. IOL: We signed AVT and traded away Garrett Bradbury. Mike Onwenu is in a contract year. A depth option capable of starting at RG in 2027 is needed.

11. Slot/quick underneath WR: Not clear that either Pop Fouglas or EC3 is a long-term solution. We need an C to stretch tge field, and a quick/fast guy who can turn short plays into big gains.

Looking at those needs and the draft:

1. OT: Monroe Freeling, Francis Mauigoa, Max Iheanachor, Caleb Lomu and Blake Miller will all be top-40 picks, all may be gone by 31. Spencer Fano and Kadyn Proctor probably project better inside. Dametrious Crownover, Austin Barber, Jude Bowry and Travis Burke are developmental prospects. aisaiah World a moonshot.

2. EDGE: Arvell Reese, David Bailey, and Rueben Bain will all be long gone. Keldric Faulk and Akheem Mesidor will also likely be gone before 31. TJ Parker, Zion Young, Gabe Jacas, Malachi Lawrence and Dani Dennis-Sutton could all be gone by 63, some could sneak into the first round. Jonathan Joseph, Derrick Moore and Keyron Crawford are other potential options.

3. LB: Reese and Sonny Styles will go top 10. CJ Allen, Jacob Rodriguez, Jake Golday, Josiah Trotter, Anthony Hill and Kyle Louis are also strong options. Kaleb Elams-Orr, Justin Jefferson and are potential late round values

4. S: Caleb Downs and Dillon Thieneman will go high. Treydan Stukes will probably not last to 63. VJ Payne, Zakee Wheatley, Genesis Smith and Bud Clark are good values if they make ur to Day 3. Michael Taafe and Cole Wisniewski are good late round depth options.

5. X WR: Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson will go high. Chris Bell, Ted Hurst and Denzel Boston are goid options if the value is right. From there it is a big drop. I don't trust Chris Brazzell or Ja'Kobi Lane, Elijah Sarratt is more of a Jacoby Myers possession receiver. Malachi Fields and Bryce Lance are early 4th rounded to me. Jeff Caldwell, Josh Cameron and Reggue Virgil are day 3 guys with upside.

6. TE: Kenyon Sadiq will go 1st round, Eli Stowers probably top 50. Sam Roush has huge upside as a true Y TE, Jordan Delp is a move TE who can block, Jaren Kanak has amazing potential as a move TE, Max Klare and Eli Raridon offer Henry replacements potential, Michael Trigg can stretch the field. After that it's a bunch of late day 3 developmental guys.

7. Outside CB depth: Jermod McCoy and Mansoor Delane will be gone, Brandon Cisse will not last to 63. Devin Moore, Julian Neal, CJ Demmings, Tacario Davis, Daylen Everett, Will Lee, Ephesians Prysock and Ceyair Wright are all options.

8. RB depth: Jeremiyah Love will go top 10. Mike Washington and Jardanian Price will likely go 2nd round. Jonah Coleman could be an early day 3 option, Nick Singleton and Adam Randall are potential late round guys with upside.

In my dreams, the Pats would nail OT and EDGE with their first 2 picks, then lock down 4 of WR, TE, LB, S and CB with their next 4 picks. But that will take some luck, and at least 1 will have to be pushed back to the late rounds, possibly more if an opportunity arises at IOL, DT, or RB.

9. DT: Caleb Banks or Lee Hunter could be opportunities if they slip, Darrell Jackson is intriguing. There are some very intriguing possible late round options with athleticism and upside (Demonte Capehart, Kadyn Procter, Zane Dyrant).

10. IOL: This would have been higher before the AVT signing. Spencer Fano, Vega Ioane and Kadyn Proctor will go high. Chase Bisontis and Emmanuel Pregnon could as well, could be immediate starters. Gennings Dunker is a 3rd-4th round guy for me. I like the day 3 potential: Keagan Trost, Jalen Farmer, Billy Schraurh, JC Davis, Fa'alili Fa'amoe, Micah Morris.

11. Slot WR: Makai Lemon and KC Concepcion will go early. Zachariah Branch, Brenen Thompson, Deion Burke and Kendrick Law are possible value picks. Cyrus Allen and Eli Heidenreich are potential late-round guts with Edelman-like quickness and potential.

It would have been nice if we had filled another 1-2 holes in FA.

BobDigital said:

So i have something to ask, and i hate to hit on this again. But i see this over and over from both you and Manx, who are two guys i have the absolute most respect for when it comes to draft break downs. And i am sorry, but i just can not for the life of me understand either of your thought processes when it comes to this.

And that seems to be 'draft OL, disrgard WR'. I know this is an oversimplification, and believe me I am not trying to put words into your mouth. First off, let me say i understand to a degree. WRs IMO are over valued. It has gotten completely out of hand and out of touch with the reality of what football is. The amounts they are paid and the contracts of guards simply do not tend to reflect their real value. The fantasy landscape, highlight reel tidbits on ESPN and jersey sales have all moved the NFL to market and over value exactly what these players give you in the context of an entire offensive system. I am with you there if that is where you are coming from. And I believe you both to be 100% right if that is your thinking.

However, the market has spoken. And whether they are right or wrong, the market kind of makes them right. Look at FA the last few years. Morgan Moses? We got him cheap for a 2-3 year deal and he was arguably our best OL. Vera-Tucker? Got him cheap and he is a pro bowler.

Look who is available right now. Becton, Bition and Zeitler on the interior. Yes some are old in the tooth. But they can be had RIGHT NOW after the signing wave and give you immediate very solid starter production without breaking the bank. For OT? Decker among other options. Yes the pickings are slimmer here, and typically you need to spend earlier in FA to get them. But there seem to be passable options every year and they are not overly expensive.

Now look at WR. Who is EVER available who really moves the needle? Pierce had 1000 yards for the first time this year and cost 29M/year. You can spend for an injured problem child like Diggs for one year and eat a dead cap next year for 1000 yards... but who seemed to fade down the stretch. And it comes with all those issues. Doubs cost you 17-20M a year... and he is an okay #2. If you want to trade for a guy you need to eat a huge contract and usually give up a kings ransom of picks. Maybe if they have issues with their own team you can do better. But it is still costly and you get no discount and lose a valuable asset to pay the total FA price.

This is what the market has decided, right or wrong. Do you consider this when you look at the draft?

Click to expand...

I've been an advocate for Makai Lemon, Denzel Boston and Omar Cooper in the first at times, I took a 3rd round WR in my latest mock after taking a 2nd round TE and WR is probably my favourite position to scout and, increasingly, I seem to be the only person here who doesn't want to take a first round OL. I'm not sure this is an 'accusation' that can be laid at my door. Also, if you were to look back through my posts, you'll see I've said that we should take a WR every year for your very reasons. I don't recommend looking back through my posts though, there's far too many and it would take forever.

As for the state of the draft currently, I'm EDGE first, but would be absolutely fine with Boston or Cooper in the first. However, I do think a WR ends up being a trade for AJ Brown.

I'm 100% a build around the lines guy.

I would have loved Alec Pierce in FA. I would love Chris Bell, Ted Hurst or Denzel Boston day 2, Malachi Field round 4, Jeff Caldwell/Josh Cameron/Reggie Virgil round 5 or later.

I would love Zachariah Branch or Brenen Thompson round 2 or later, Kendrick Law or Deion Burks round 4 or later, Cyrus Allen or Eli Heidenreich round 5 or later.

With Doubs, Boutte and Williams alreadybon the roster, I am less interested in Makai Lemon, KC Concepcion, Omar Cooper, Antonio Williams, Skyler Bell and DeZhaun Stribling than I previously was. Too redundant.

I will plead guilty: in most cases, I will prioritize other positions (OL, DL, EDGE, TE and CB) over WR.

mayoclinic said:

Click to expand...

I like that.
We need some youth, especially in the TE and LB rooms.
Sick of average retreads, draft some starters (hopefully stars) of the future.

Weird that they didnt retain Gibbens, he was a Vrabel guy and played very well for a backup.
Double dip at LB?

stelfans said:

Weird that they didnt retain Gibbens, he was a Vrabel guy and played very well for a backup.
Double dip at LB?

Click to expand...

CJ Allen and Jacob Rodriguez are in my first round grouping. Not saying it will happen, but they're such Vrabel-esque prospects, it wouldn't surprise me.

I realise this is pure speculation based upon scanty evidence, but.....Is Vrabel rebuilding his Titans?

OK, this is going to be a stretch and it's an incomplete picture but there is a kind of pattern developing.

Let's start with the names: AJ Brown possibly, Harold Landry, Kevin Byard.

But there are some features of that Titans team that are similar to this Patriots team.

The Titans team had an elite penetrating DT in Jeffery Simmons.

The Patriots have Milton Williams

The Titans team had a bigger defensive end on one side in Denico Autrey (270 at combine)

The Patriots have just signed Dre'Mont Jones who is similar.

And here's where the speculation comes:

The Titans had the much bigger RB in Derrick Henry

The two RBs the Patriots have shown interest in are Mike Washington and Adam Randall, both over 230lbs. I'm not suggesting they're on Henry's level, I just find that interesting.

In 2019 and '20, the Titans signed two EDGEs that didn't work out for them in Vic Beasley and Bud Dupree. Both had 40" verts and 10 yard splits of 1.60 or better.

Malachi Lawrence? 40" vert, 1.59 10 split.

Just some fun speculation.

Vrabel certainly shows signs of favoring past guys and certain archetypes. Not sure if that is a good thing.

I feel like we missed out in FA on some good value signings with upside.