2026 Draft: Defensive Tackle

Username · Mar 25, 2026

manxman2601 said:
There's a bunch of caveats in what I'm about to say but i'm just thinking about how this pick would work.

Firstly, I don't think we draft Mcdonald nor should we.
Secondly, in what I'm going to say next, I'm not comparing players like for like, just how they impact the team.

What if Kayden Mcdonald becomes your Vince Wilfork type player (and again, I'm not suggesting he's going to be as good as Wilfork by any means).

And then, what if Milton Williams becomes your Richard Seymour.

I'm not suggesting we switch to a 2 gap 3-4, all I'm really trying to say is that Wilfork-Seymour were the mainstay of a championship D Line for nearly a decade and that's how I see a Mcdonald pick working for us should it happen.

I love Kayden McDonald, would absolutely take him

manxman2601 · Mar 25, 2026

Clonamery · Mar 25, 2026

Username said:
I love Kayden McDonald, would absolutely take him

What are you willing to give up by doing that?

Username · Mar 25, 2026

Clonamery said:
What are you willing to give up by doing that?

I'm talking in the unlikely event he drops to 31

DaBruinz · Mar 25, 2026

manxman2601 said:
There's a bunch of caveats in what I'm about to say but i'm just thinking about how this pick would work.

Firstly, I don't think we draft Mcdonald nor should we.
Secondly, in what I'm going to say next, I'm not comparing players like for like, just how they impact the team.

What if Kayden Mcdonald becomes your Vince Wilfork type player (and again, I'm not suggesting he's going to be as good as Wilfork by any means).

And then, what if Milton Williams becomes your Richard Seymour.

I'm not suggesting we switch to a 2 gap 3-4, all I'm really trying to say is that Wilfork-Seymour were the mainstay of a championship D Line for nearly a decade and that's how I see a Mcdonald pick working for us should it happen.

Don't forget the other part of that D-line in Ty Warren who was excellent opposite Seymour for 7 years.

DaBruinz · Mar 25, 2026

Username said:
I'm talking in the unlikely event he drops to 31

But you didn't answer his question. What position aren't you taking because you used such a valuable pick on one of the few positions the Pats are actually deep at.

manxman2601 · Mar 25, 2026

DaBruinz said:
Don't forget the other part of that D-line in Ty Warren who was excellent opposite Seymour for 7 years.

Barmore.

DaBruinz · Mar 25, 2026

manxman2601 said:
Barmore.

Yeah.. I was just pointing out that Ty Warren was actually the 2nd piece that Belichick added in 2003. Wilfork was in 2004.

mayoclinic · Mar 25, 2026

manxman2601 said:
Capehart is more of a 1-tech rather than a 3. I'm talking explicitly about a penetrating 3-tech to back up Williams.

Got it. I got confused a bit because you included Van den Berg, who is often used as a 1-tech.

Halton, Durant, Procter, Gil-Howard and Konga are pure 3-techs.

I personally like Capehart and Van den Berg because they offer 1-tech and 3-tech capability.

Clonamery · Mar 25, 2026

Username said:
I'm talking in the unlikely event he drops to 31

Yeah, but who are you losing out on?

mayoclinic · Mar 25, 2026

manxman2601 said:
There's a bunch of caveats in what I'm about to say but i'm just thinking about how this pick would work.

Firstly, I don't think we draft Mcdonald nor should we.
Secondly, in what I'm going to say next, I'm not comparing players like for like, just how they impact the team.

What if Kayden Mcdonald becomes your Vince Wilfork type player (and again, I'm not suggesting he's going to be as good as Wilfork by any means).

And then, what if Milton Williams becomes your Richard Seymour.

I'm not suggesting we switch to a 2 gap 3-4, all I'm really trying to say is that Wilfork-Seymour were the mainstay of a championship D Line for nearly a decade and that's how I see a Mcdonald pick working for us should it happen.

I understand this is a food for thought post.

That said, I don't see Vrabel going to a gap-control 3-4. His mode is more a controlled attacking defense, which I personally prefer.

I tend to assess DTs by how they fit into that approach. Guys like Caleb Banks and Peter Woods definitely fit. Guys who can play the 1-tech and still disrupt also fit - Lee Howard, Damonte Capehart and Jordan Van den Berg come to mind.

McDonald? Love the player. Not quite as sure about the fit, especially at that price.

manxman2601 · Mar 25, 2026

mayoclinic said:
I understand this is a food for thought post.

That said, I don't see Vrabel going to a gap-control 3-4. His mode is more a controlled attacking defense, which I personally prefer.

I tend to assess DTs by how they fit into that approach. Guys like Caleb Banks and Peter Woods definitely fit. Guys who can play the 1-tech and still disrupt also fit - Lee Howard, Damonte Capehart and Jordan Van den Berg come to mind.

McDonald? Love the player. Not quite as sure about the fit, especially at that price.

I wasn't really suggesting they move to a 3-4 2 gap system. It's really more about having a dominating DL like the Pats one of the first BB decade. It's not a great comparison because that team also had Vrabel, McGinest and Bruschi.

mayoclinic · Mar 25, 2026

I understood.

I want a dominating DL as much as you. But it can be built dominating in different ways. I would favor dominating players with more of an attacking style.

Username · Mar 25, 2026

Clonamery said:
Yeah, but who are you losing out on?

Whoever

I love the guy.

Clonamery · Mar 25, 2026

Username said:
Whoever

I love the guy.

Ok. So do I. Have a great day.

manxman2601 · Mar 25, 2026

mayoclinic said:
I understood.

I want a dominating DL as much as you. But it dan be built dominating in different ways. I would favor dominating players with more of an attacking style.

I'm not arguing for it, just justifying it should it happen.

Joey007 · Mar 25, 2026

Username said:
I'm talking in the unlikely event he drops to 31

I get the value, but man.. taking a non pass rushing DT at 31 just doesn’t feel like the best allocation of resources.

Joey007 · Mar 25, 2026

mayoclinic said:
There are some insane athletes flying under the radar.

All the more reason why a Tonga replacement feels better addressed late day 2/day 3.

Username · Mar 25, 2026

Joey007 said:
I get the value, but man.. taking a non pass rushing DT at 31 just doesn’t feel like the best allocation of resources.

There's a lot of value in a big guy in the middle who cause chaos, doesn't take a backwards step and collapsed pockets even if he doesn't get to the QB, he assists in a lot of sacks

But I'm a sucker for a big, run stuffing DT. The first two players I posted about in this class were McDonald and Capeheart. The heart loves what the heart loves.

DoubleDeluxe · Mar 25, 2026

Username said:
There's a lot of value in a big guy in the middle who cause chaos, doesn't take a backwards step and collapsed pockets even if he doesn't get to the QB, he assists in a lot of sacks

But I'm a sucker for a big, run stuffing DT. The first two players I posted about in this class were McDonald and Capeheart. The heart loves what the heart loves.

But it does seem getting a run stuffing DT who is limited in rushing is something you could do in the later rds.
I like Capeheart. Not sure where he goes, rd 4?

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2026 Draft: Defensive Tackle

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