My own personal Pats free agent signings grades

Rob0729 · Mar 30, 2026

I am not going to grade the signings at this point. It is impossible to tell the impact of players.

At this point last year, people might have given the Chaisson signing a C and the Tonga signing a D. Neither of those signings were considered great signings last year. Both those guys were considered journeymen JAGs and/or training camp bodies. I am sure no one were convinced either were going to make the final 53 man roster, never mind be impact players last year.

I have faith that Vrabel, Wolf, and company made good decisions in free agency. They hit it out of the park last year. They are one more year into their revamped scouting system which should make either player evaluations that much better.

Of course they could strike out this offseason unlike last one, but I see some promise in the guys they signed and they addressed a lot of needs.

Triumph · Mar 30, 2026

Grogan14 said:
I get it. Its very early to hand out grades...yada yada yada BUT

It's just something fun to do on a message board when nothing else is happening.

Whether its Vrabel, Wolf or someone else.I do not care...it was mediocre at best

Have been hoping for years to see some elite playmakers on this team....and it's not Doubs, Vera Tucker or Hudson

Cheeper is Better, so the Pats accomplish 2 of the 3 - 2026 Pats team building goals right there.

Vera Tucker always injured will suddenly be the epitome of health wearing a Pats uniform. Like Superman when he donned his leotards and cape. Nothing will be able to hurt LG Tucker and he will make the Probowl never missing a game. Its obvious that the Pats will have a FB on offense to help out Campbell when he gets blown up.

Rob0729 · Mar 30, 2026

Triumph said:
What a joke.

AFCE Champs again? At least 50% of the Pats 2026 opponents are Super Bowl contenders - Buffalo, Chicago, Green Bay, Detroit , Denver, Kansas City, Jacksonville, Seattle. The Patriots have not signed anyone of significance and they pick in a low draft slot.

You do realize that Buffalo faces most of those teams and they also had an easy schedule last year? And who says any of the teams you listed will be any good.

The Chiefs last year weren't even that good before Mahomes blew out his ACL. And the Pats could face them early in the season when Mahomes could be on PUP or still a shell of himself.

Jacksonville got hot late in the season last year, but they were mediocre before that. Could they be one of those teams that go on a run late in one season and then falls back to earth the next. See the 2012 Giants who went 9-7 after winning the Super Bowl the previous season.

Detroit was gutted this offseason and wasn't playing well last year.

The Pats could face the Packers with Micah Parsons on PUP or still a shell of himself and they are a different team without him.

Josh Allen is another year older and he was beaten up last year. His body has taken a lot of abuse over the years without significant injuries. Now that he is going to be 30, could he start to break down more often?

The Broncos won a lot of close games against bad teams last year. Hell, they barely beat the Chiefs that were starting their third string QB. Nix and the offense played like absolute garbage in 3 1/2 quarters only to have heroic comebacks late in the fourth in several games last year. Could they come back to earth and lose those close games this year? If Nix is in a funk in games, will be able to turn it around on a dime in the fourth quarter again?

And the Patriots addressed the holes in their team and didn't need to sign anyone of "significance". Some of the more impactful people last season were not significant free agent signings or high draft picks. Woodson, Tonga, Chaisson, Moses, Bradbury, Hollins, Spillane, Farmer, Durden, Wilson, etc. were not high draft picks or "significant" free agent signings, but all made significant impacts to this team last season.

There is no guarantee the Pats could win the AFC East, but it is definitely a possibility.

Real fan 02 · Mar 30, 2026

Triumph said:
What a joke.

AFCE Champs again? At least 50% of the Pats 2026 opponents are Super Bowl contenders - Buffalo, Chicago, Green Bay, Detroit , Denver, Kansas City, Jacksonville, Seattle. The Patriots have not signed anyone of significance and they pick in a low draft slot.

Ask yourself this?

Only 2 teams of those mentioned played in The superbowl.

Of those teams outside the patiots who did anything to "significantly " upgrade?

Is Seattle better?lost KW3 suddenly JSNs lanes got alot smaller without him. I highly doubt we have the same offensive showing as the superbowl next time around..

Jacksonville isn't a threat IMO

Denver and Buffalo are the only real threats in the AFC this upcoming season for the patiots.. and Denver signed NO ONE and will have Nix playing on one foot.. if he plays..

Buffalo singularly because they are a division foe and have the best QB in the league in Allen will always be formidable for us..

KC.. Mahomes on one knee I'll take that..

Furthermore I hope we are picking even lower next season that means we had a heck of a 2026-27!

Wozzy · Mar 30, 2026

Triumph said:
What a joke.

AFCE Champs again? At least 50% of the Pats 2026 opponents are Super Bowl contenders - Buffalo, Chicago, Green Bay, Detroit , Denver, Kansas City, Jacksonville, Seattle. The Patriots have not signed anyone of significance and they pick in a low draft slot.

You realize the other three teams in the AFCEast play identical schedules right?

Take your zoloft.

Real fan 02 · Mar 30, 2026

Wozzy said:
You realize the other three teams in the AFCEast play identical schedules right?

Take your zoloft.

Agreed!!.. some fans are still reacting as if this is the 4 win patiots. This team is fresh off a Superbowl appearance. They are a contender and for me it's never really been about others it's what the patiots do.. for example Denver signed NO FREE AGENTS. Trading for Waddle was really thier only move. Then again they have such a good but arrogant HC in Peyton maybe his ego factored in. They will be the hunted this season. Nix is going to have to play a complete 4 Quarters and not rely on heroics.

Denver and Buffalo are our biggest threats in the AFC JMO.

Ross12 · Mar 30, 2026

Triumph said:
What a joke.

AFCE Champs again? At least 50% of the Pats 2026 opponents are Super Bowl contenders - Buffalo, Chicago, Green Bay, Detroit , Denver, Kansas City, Jacksonville, Seattle. The Patriots have not signed anyone of significance and they pick in a low draft slot.

Can you explain to me exactly how the schedules for the Jets, Dolphins or Bills are much easier than the Patriots in 2026, or why their teams will perform significantly better in order to close the gap?

Real fan 02 · Mar 30, 2026

Rob0729 said:
You do realize that Buffalo faces most of those teams and they also had an easy schedule last year? And who says any of the teams you listed will be any good.

The Chiefs last year weren't even that good before Mahomes blew out his ACL. And the Pats could face them early in the season when Mahomes could be on PUP or still a shell of himself.

Jacksonville got hot late in the season last year, but they were mediocre before that. Could they be one of those teams that go on a run late in one season and then falls back to earth the next. See the 2012 Giants who went 9-7 after winning the Super Bowl the previous season.

Detroit was gutted this offseason and wasn't playing well last year.

The Pats could face the Packers with Micah Parsons on PUP or still a shell of himself and they are a different team without him.

Josh Allen is another year older and he was beaten up last year. His body has taken a lot of abuse over the years without significant injuries. Now that he is going to be 30, could he start to break down more often?

The Broncos won a lot of close games against bad teams last year. Hell, they barely beat the Chiefs that were starting their third string QB. Nix and the offense played like absolute garbage in 3 1/2 quarters only to have heroic comebacks late in the fourth in several games last year. Could they come back to earth and lose those close games this year? If Nix is in a funk in games, will be able to turn it around on a dime in the fourth quarter again?

And the Patriots addressed the holes in their team and didn't need to sign anyone of "significance". Some of the more impactful people last season were not significant free agent signings or high draft picks. Woodson, Tonga, Chaisson, Moses, Bradbury, Hollins, Spillane, Farmer, Durden, Wilson, etc. were not high draft picks or "significant" free agent signings, but all made significant impacts to this team last season.

There is no guarantee the Pats could win the AFC East, but it is definitely a possibility.

Great post Rob!! Adding that Nix has had multiple ankle injuries and who's to say he's the same player this season.. dido on Mahomes knee injury..

Buffalo as a division foe will always be our biggest threat IMO of the entire AFC..landscape. have to win your division before you can face other AFC opponents in the postseason of course!

Ross12 · Mar 30, 2026

Rob0729 said:
You do realize that Buffalo faces most of those teams and they also had an easy schedule last year? And who says any of the teams you listed will be any good.

The Chiefs last year weren't even that good before Mahomes blew out his ACL. And the Pats could face them early in the season when Mahomes could be on PUP or still a shell of himself.

Jacksonville got hot late in the season last year, but they were mediocre before that. Could they be one of those teams that go on a run late in one season and then falls back to earth the next. See the 2012 Giants who went 9-7 after winning the Super Bowl the previous season.

Detroit was gutted this offseason and wasn't playing well last year.

The Pats could face the Packers with Micah Parsons on PUP or still a shell of himself and they are a different team without him.

Josh Allen is another year older and he was beaten up last year. His body has taken a lot of abuse over the years without significant injuries. Now that he is going to be 30, could he start to break down more often?

The Broncos won a lot of close games against bad teams last year. Hell, they barely beat the Chiefs that were starting their third string QB. Nix and the offense played like absolute garbage in 3 1/2 quarters only to have heroic comebacks late in the fourth in several games last year. Could they come back to earth and lose those close games this year? If Nix is in a funk in games, will be able to turn it around on a dime in the fourth quarter again?

And the Patriots addressed the holes in their team and didn't need to sign anyone of "significance". Some of the more impactful people last season were not significant free agent signings or high draft picks. Woodson, Tonga, Chaisson, Moses, Bradbury, Hollins, Spillane, Farmer, Durden, Wilson, etc. were not high draft picks or "significant" free agent signings, but all made significant impacts to this team last season.

There is no guarantee the Pats could win the AFC East, but it is definitely a possibility.

All of these teams are teams that the AFCE has to jointly face in 2026 with few exceptions. The Bills, Jets, and Dolphins all have to play the Chiefs, Lions, Packers, Broncos just the same as the Patriots do.

The only team you listed that the Patriots play that the rest of the AFCE does NOT play are the Jaguars - the Bills instead play the Texans, the Jets play the Titans and the Dolphins play the Colts.

Conversely, the Pats get Pittsburgh in the AFC North, whereas the Bills get the Ravens, which on paper seems like the tougher matchup to me. The Jets get the Browns and the Dolphins get the Bengals.

In the NFC West, the Pats get the Seahawks, the Bills get the Rams - I don't think either of these are cakewalks. Jets get the Cardinals, Dolphins get the 49ers.

Overall I don't really see how any of these schedules are significantly easier than the other. Maybe you could say the Jets get a SLIGHTLY easier path based on a couple games but... it's the Jets... so....

rkarp1 · Mar 30, 2026

I think the o/p is simple clickbait

-Jones stats vs stats had more qb pressures than Chaisson, and plays outside and inside. he also set the edge more so than Chaisson
-Vera Tucker will be an upgrade over WIlson, and be a good player to situate beside Campbell. in turn, Wilson should at least be equal to Bradbury, if not more mobile and be able to lead some OC sweeps
-Doubs can run more routes than Diggs, is younger and has experience in a share the ball offense
-Gilliam is a clear upgrade over Westover
-Hooper was a non entity as a blocker. Hill is above average as a blocker
-Byard is an all pro, WIlson was solid.

I would agree, the teams depth took a hit. Tonga, Gibbons and Jennings/Tavai played both meaningful snaps and played well when called on. but overall, the team is improved

jimnance · Mar 30, 2026

jdlboot14 said:
Reggie Gilliam - he's a Fullback. period.

No, exclamation point!
Pat's offense is always better with a quality fb. Been a while

Zuma · Mar 30, 2026

Elijah Mitchell RB: this FA signing isn't talked about much...he's had severe hammy injuries and with an MCL. IMO this is the same situation as AVT...injuries derailed his career but is healthy now. Mitchell had 1100 all-purpose yards as a rookie (963 rushing). He could be a great backup if he can stay healthy ...

Real fan 02 · Mar 30, 2026

jimnance said:
No, exclamation point!
Pat's offense is always better with a quality fb. Been a while

Could we say devlin was probably the best FB in franchise history? I really like the R. Gilliam pick up.. watching his interview love his attitude and mentality of how he wants to bring it on game days... I see a vast improvement in the running game coming..

p8ryts · Mar 30, 2026

Real fan 02 said:
Could we say devlin was probably the best FB in franchise history? I really like the R. Gilliam pick up.. watching his interview love his attitude and mentality of how he wants to bring it on game days... I see a vast improvement in the running game coming..

I loved Devlin, really liked Larry Centers but Sam Gash, Mark Edwards, and Patrick Pass were good.

PancakeBlockPaul · Mar 30, 2026

It's not possible to grade things without seeing them play a down.....Gotta wait till everything you know.....comes together after TC. OP just isn't excited because no big name stars have been brought in me thinks and it's ok because they're bored **** stirrers. =) The way things are, it looks like they are better off so far. Hopefully with the draft and more FA signings, they will be even better off and get some depth as well.

rkarp1 · Mar 30, 2026

PancakeBlockPaul said:
It's not possible to grade things without seeing them play a down.....Gotta wait till everything you know.....comes together after TC. OP just isn't excited because no big name stars have been brought in me thinks and it's ok because they're bored **** stirrers. =) The way things are, it looks like they are better off so far. Hopefully with the draft and more FA signings, they will be even better off and get some depth as well.

big names and stars are two different things
Vera Tucker and Byard are stars

Zuma · Mar 30, 2026

rkarp1 said:
big names and stars are two different things
Vera Tucker and Byard are stars

AVT is a star ?

rkarp1 · Mar 30, 2026

Zuma said:
AVT is a star ?

prior to his injury, yes, very much so

Real fan 02 · Mar 30, 2026

p8ryts said:
I loved Devlin, really liked Larry Centers but Sam Gash, Mark Edwards, and Patrick Pass were good.

Yeah those others were pretty good as well.. I absolutely loved devlin too! R. Gillaim I such a player that we needed and the offense has been sorely missing.. in order to become a smash mouth running team the FB is crucial to have.

Real fan 02 · Mar 30, 2026

PancakeBlockPaul said:
It's not possible to grade things without seeing them play a down.....Gotta wait till everything you know.....comes together after TC. OP just isn't excited because no big name stars have been brought in me thinks and it's ok because they're bored **** stirrers. =) The way things are, it looks like they are better off so far. Hopefully with the draft and more FA signings, they will be even better off and get some depth as well.

On AVT one has to wonder has the utter stank that has been with the Jets organization forever from the top down could it had been a reason AVT may not had been exactly up for maybe " doing his best "to recover from injuries over the years? Knowing that the team wasn't ever really playing for anything during his time there.

Nonetheless here's here now and will receive top notch coaching and excellence from RK down.. it will be on him to take care of his body and remain durable.. availability is the best ability a player can have. If AVT can remain healthy and play at the elite level he's shown we will have an all pro level player in him.

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