The difficulties In Hitting Our Two biggest Needs: EDGE and RT

Zuma said:

I'm no expert (at anything really)... I am starting to think that a potential starting Edge in 2026 can be had in rounds 2-3 with luck because their are so many quality ones in this draft. However a starting tackle (RT) for 2027 and beyond is probably only coming from rounds 1-2. Therefor I prefer an OT drafted in the 1st round.

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Zuma said:

Their is also the argument that the SuperBowl was lost due to lack of better talent on the Offensive Line. It's always harder to get a good starting OT then a good starting DE. My mind will change a half a dozen times between now and the draft. It will be interesting to see what happens.

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Rdforty2 said:

So why not just wait until '27 when RT is a need and take a RT in the 1st round or 2nd round? Then you get a '26 on field impact from your 1st rounder and you dont waste a year of the rookie contract on a tackle. Especially at RT, rookies can play right away.

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Rdforty2 said:

So why not just wait until '27 when RT is a need and take a RT in the 1st round or 2nd round? Then you get a '26 on field impact from your 1st rounder and you dont waste a year of the rookie contract on a tackle. Especially at RT, rookies can play right away.

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mgteich said:

QUESTION
What is the different is quality between the OT available at 31 and one available at 63? We could need a RT this year at some point.

We almost suredly will need one next year. AND, OT's very difficult to get. If we don't take advantage of this year, then we are very, very likely to be having the same discussion next year. After all, the free agent way of getting a top RT is very expensive if we are even able to be one of those whp outbid everyone else.

QUESTION
What is the different is quality between the EDGE player available at 31 and one available at 63?
The difference might be much less. It seems likely that we could get an EDGE player who Vrabel can get a lot out of in 2026. The reality is that the stud future all-pro is unlikely to be there at 31 and if he were there, we would likely not recognize h
MY CONCLUSION
is that we can definitely fill two very important needs with OT at 31 and EDGE at 63.

I also think that we will NOT fill those needs with EDGE at 31 and OT at 63.

Obviously, a lot depends on the individual players available at 31. But make no mistake, passing on RT is a very dangerous risk to take.

IN THE END,
don't you think that there is at least one EDGE players that y'all want that will be there at 63? Is it likely that you will find an OT that you like at 63 (or even 53 or 43)?

The difference m

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stelfans said:

Im good with whatever they decide to do though.

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Rdforty2 said:

Well, the first answer to that is, AVT was brought in. There is better talent on the OL.

Further, Campbell will be healthy, and Campbell and Wilson more experience.

The starting unit is in line for a potentially large upgrade already.

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Water Boy said:

It's a valid point.

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Rdforty2 said:

We may need an edge in a year. A corner. A LB. A tight end. A WR. We may need a lot of things.

Does the need of the future trump the need for now?

The biggest positive for taking an OT in the 1st in '26 is in case of injury at tackle. But if theres an injury at edge, we're in trouble. If there's an injury at CB, we're on trouble. If there's an injury at WR, we're in trouble.

In a perfect world, you can draft a year ahead of having a need. I dont think this team is in that position. The team has glaring holes and secondary holes that need addressing for '26. Ideally, there will be some more vets plugged in to plug obvious needs for '26. Right now, I just cant see how taking a guy with the plan to sit all year in the 1st round, and wasting a year of his rookie contract, is the best plan.

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manxman2601 said:

One important distinction you left out. An EDGE drafted this year will get a substantial number of snaps hopefully. A RT drafted this year won't ideally.

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Rdforty2 said:

So why not just wait until '27 when RT is a need and take a RT in the 1st round or 2nd round? Then you get a '26 on field impact from your 1st rounder and you dont waste a year of the rookie contract on a tackle. Especially at RT, rookies can play right away.

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manxman2601 said:

NM

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Water Boy said:

I was listening to the most recent Check the Mic mock draft podcast and Steve Palazulo contemplated EDGE vs OT for the Patriots with Blake Miller, TJ Parker and Zion Young on the board and he landed on Miller.

I tend to agree with him.

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mayoclinic said:

For me, personally:

- Reese, Bailey, Bain, Faulk and Mesidor are EDGEs worthy taking at 31 without reaching.
- Freeling, Mauigoa, Iheanachor, Lomu and Miller are OTs worth taking at 31 without reaching. Probably Fano, though I think he projects better inside.

If any of those players is available at 31, I will be elated. If more than 1 are available, I can live with whatever the Pats choose, though I would prioritize OT in most cases.

If all of those players are off the board by 31 - which is quite possible - then I would look at whether a high level player slips (Banks, McCoy), or I would try to trade back.

As of right now, I would prefer not to be taking TJ Parker, Zion Young, Malachi Lawrence, or Kadyn Proctor at 31.

I definitely do not want Cashius Howell at 31.

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mgteich said:

because a ready to start top RT may not be available when we pick next year. Or we will be forced to pick from players who shouldn't be picked when our pick is made.

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