Do you think we’re done in FA?

Real fan 02 · Mar 16, 2026

dliverey44 said:
I imagine they draft 2 guys1 early and 1 late, but I would love to see them bring in Cam Jordan or Clowney on a cheap 1 year deal. Both guys are still able to get to the QB, Jordan could probably still be a starter but that might delay Swinson, Ponder and the rook(s) progress.

Yes I'm thinking the same thing 2 edge guys round 1 and dip back in round 3... it's been mentioned about Clowney and I'd like that idea.. or a younger option with upside like Epenensa..

Real fan 02 · Mar 16, 2026

Wozzy said:
No, I dislike situational pass rushers who aren't great against the run. They take up a valuable roster spot. I don't think he's much of a scheme fit either.

I can change that...

DoubleDeluxe · Mar 16, 2026

Real fan 02 said:
Yes I'm thinking the same thing 2 edge guys round 1 and dip back in round 3... it's been mentioned about Clowney and I'd like that idea.. or a younger option with upside like Epenensa..

Epenesa was a big, big DE in college who could overpower college Olineman.
He got to the NFL and realized that doesn't work so well against NFL players.
When that doesn't work, he doesn't have the athleticism, bend or speed to get to the QB.
I believe he actually lost weight to try and get quicker to not much avail.
He's kinda like Keion White.
I would prefer Clowney and his 8.5 sacks at....maybe 5-6 mill opposed to AJ at what...8-10?
AJ has played 6 NFL seasons, I don't think there's upside there, he is what he is.

Ring 6 · Mar 16, 2026

Real fan 02 said:
Yes I'm thinking the same thing 2 edge guys round 1 and dip back in round 3... it's been mentioned about Clowney and I'd like that idea.. or a younger option with upside like Epenensa..

What upside does Epenesa have?

TommyD4207 · Mar 16, 2026

DoubleDeluxe said:
Epenesa was a big, big DE in college who could overpower college Olineman.
He got to the NFL and realized that doesn't work so well against NFL players.
When that doesn't work, he doesn't have the athleticism, bend or speed to get to the QB.
I believe he actually lost weight to try and get quicker to not much avail.
He's kinda like Keion White.
I would prefer Clowney and his 8.5 sacks at....maybe 5-6 mill opposed to AJ at what...8-10?
AJ has played 6 NFL seasons, I don't think there's upside there, he is what he is.

...and Clowney's upside at age 73?

Ring 6 · Mar 16, 2026

TommyD4207 said:
...and Clowney's upside at age 73?

You wouldn’t be signing clowney for upside. But you wouldn’t be signing Epenesa for upside either.

DoubleDeluxe · Mar 16, 2026

TommyD4207 said:
...and Clowney's upside at age 73?

Clowney had a better year last year on limited snaps and 13 games than AJ ever has.
Clowney offers immediate help, not banking on upside.

DoubleDeluxe · Mar 16, 2026

Ring 6 said:
You wouldn’t be signing clowney for upside. But you wouldn’t be signing Epenesa for upside either.

Ring we agree!

palialka · Mar 16, 2026

mgteich said:
I suspect that we will be drafting a RT in the first or second. This RT would need to be the #3 LT.

That’s a viable scenario if the Pats organization isn’t as high on Bryant. Edge, LB and WR could also be early draft possibilities.

We’ll obviously have a clearer picture on all of this come draft time.

Real fan 02 · Mar 16, 2026

DoubleDeluxe said:
Epenesa was a big, big DE in college who could overpower college Olineman.
He got to the NFL and realized that doesn't work so well against NFL players.
When that doesn't work, he doesn't have the athleticism, bend or speed to get to the QB.
I believe he actually lost weight to try and get quicker to not much avail.
He's kinda like Keion White.
I would prefer Clowney and his 8.5 sacks at....maybe 5-6 mill opposed to AJ at what...8-10?
AJ has played 6 NFL seasons, I don't think there's upside there, he is what he is.

Epenensa would be a guy that is just 28.. come in get some great coaching and really thrive under Vrabel.. he was being underutilized in Buffalo.. I hear you on clowney however history says he won't have 8 sacks again this season and clowney never ever really lived up to his draft status even though he's had a solid career.. clowney is a stop gap veteran journeyman.. I'm not opposed but we have the cap space to sign them both..

Again either won't be a solvent but currently this is the edge depth..
Jones
Landry *
Ponder
Swinson

We need depth and AJ does that for you..

Wozzy · Mar 16, 2026

Ring 6 said:
What upside does Epenesa have?

Great coach, but he can't spin straw into gold or polish a turd into a diamond.

DoubleDeluxe · Mar 16, 2026

Real fan 02 said:
Epenensa would be a guy that is just 28.. come in get some great coaching and really thrive under Vrabel.. he was being underutilized in Buffalo.. I hear you on clowney however history says he won't have 8 sacks again this season and clowney never ever really lived up to his draft status even though he's had a solid career.. clowney is a stop gap veteran journeyman.. I'm not opposed but we have the cap space to sign them both..

Again either won't be a solvent but currently this is the edge depth..
Jones
Landry *
Ponder
Swinson

We need depth and AJ does that for you..

My whole premise is based on us drafting a DE no later than rd 2.
I don't think we need 2 more vets and a rook to go with what we have.
Thus the appeal for Clowney on a 1 year deal while our young guys develop.

Real fan 02 · Mar 16, 2026

DoubleDeluxe said:
My whole premise is based on us drafting a DE no later than rd 2.
I don't think we need 2 more vets and a rook to go with what we have.
Thus the appeal for Clowney on a 1 year deal while our young guys develop.

I totally get what you're saying.. I'm just making a case for depth.. Epsensesa fits the younger and cheaper option even if it's not thought of if him being better... remember old friend rob ninko?? Long snapper and comes here and flourished with the coaching.. our depth was lacking last season and it needs to be addressed..

DoubleDeluxe · Mar 16, 2026

Real fan 02 said:
I totally get what you're saying.. I'm just making a case for depth.. Epsensesa fits the younger and cheaper option even if it's not thought of if him being better... remember old friend rob ninko?? Long snapper and comes here and flourished with the coaching.. our depth was lacking last season and it needs to be addressed..

I'm considering roster spots.
Have we ever carried more than 5 rushers?
Jones on one end, rook/Clowney (or whatever name it ends up being) on the other.
Ponder, Swinson (altho he's TBD) and Laundry.
Depending on Landry's health, we may add one more after a rook and 1 vet.

WhatJustHappened · Mar 16, 2026

Not a big fan of Clowney.
He was a stud, Houston should have been thrilled during that draft, a friend lives down there, I was pumped for him.....they weren't, because he never did IT.
Sometimes it doesn't work out, for whatever reason.
He's pretty old.

DoubleDeluxe · Mar 16, 2026

WhatJustHappened said:
Not a big fan of Clowney.
He was a stud, Houston should have been thrilled during that draft, a friend lives down there, I was pumped for him.....they weren't, because he never did IT.
Sometimes it doesn't work out, for whatever reason.
He's pretty old.

He never lived up to his billing but has had a solid career.
1 year stop gap I think he would be a good addition.
Presumably we will have a high rookie draft pick along with Ponder, maybe Swinson and who knows about Laundry. That's a lot of unproven youth.
Definitely space for a solid vet on a 1 year stop gap deal.

dliverey44 · Mar 16, 2026

DoubleDeluxe said:
He never lived up to his billing but has had a solid career.
1 year stop gap I think he would be a good addition.
Presumably we will have a high rookie draft pick along with Ponder, maybe Swinson and who knows about Laundry. That's a lot of unproven youth.
Definitely space for a solid vet on a 1 year stop gap deal.

That is the big reason that I think Edge is a top need along with RT

WhatJustHappened · Mar 16, 2026

Meh, could he help? Probably, but I'd prefer we reach higher and miss, than someone that just cruises...
I think he cruises.
I know, I'm in the minority... sorry, I just say what I think...
Hmmmphhhh...

Real fan 02 · Mar 17, 2026

DoubleDeluxe said:
I'm considering roster spots.
Have we ever carried more than 5 rushers?
Jones on one end, rook/Clowney (or whatever name it ends up being) on the other.
Ponder, Swinson (altho he's TBD) and Laundry.
Depending on Landry's health, we may add one more after a rook and 1 vet.

Good points... not sure if we ever have? I know there were years we had great edge dept.. remember jabal Sheard? What a nice pick up.. we will carry a 90 man roster into camp.. so it's likely we add another veteran Clowney, Epenensa, ect.. plus the draft picks and then UDFA...

I really like Landry but as a fan I'm banking on him likely being on PUP until he shows he's back healthy and can be a factor.. if he's still comprised then he is best served in a reduced snaps role wich would probably be perfect for him all things considered age & injury..

Swinson is going to have to really show something this offseason/camp.

Huckleberry1 · Mar 17, 2026

DaBruinz said:
I'm kinda surprised that the Pats haven' re-signed Munford yet. Of all their FA, he was the one I thought would be a priority re-signing.

I would expect the Pats to add at least 2 more edge Free Agents. Whether they are current FA or UDFA remains to be seen.

Not sure if there is a bottom of the roster Corner out there who can play both inside and outside still available.

Wouldn't be surprised if they add another Veteran at guard, but that will be after the draft in all likelihood.

The releases after June 1st could be interesting. You can usually find some decent players who get released after teams draft their replacements. They aren't going to be guys you build around, but they can be depth and positional band aids until you find the guy you want longer term.

320	20K

Do you think we’re done in FA?

Hall of Fame Poster

Hall of Fame Poster

In the Starting Line-Up

PatsFans.com Supporter

Pro Bowl Player

PatsFans.com Supporter

In the Starting Line-Up

In the Starting Line-Up

Third String But Playing on Special Teams

Hall of Fame Poster

Pro Bowl Player

In the Starting Line-Up

Hall of Fame Poster

In the Starting Line-Up

PatsFans.com Supporter

In the Starting Line-Up

In the Starting Line-Up

PatsFans.com Supporter

Hall of Fame Poster

PatsFans.com Supporter

Similar threads

📅 This Week in Patriots History: