DRAFT - Top 3 Rounds

jdlboot14 · Apr 9, 2026

Discuss priority of the first 3 rounds, considering positions of depth in the draft and need of the Patriots roster.

jdlboot14 · Apr 9, 2026

I want Pats to take best available EDGE in the 1st.
Then, either Delp in the 2nd, or Klein in the 3rd/4th (if he lasts that long)
I don't think we're that desperate for OL. We have some depth pieces to develop already, but should be able to get someone in the 3rd/4th for OT and OG to groom alongside Bryant & Wallace to see who sticks.

gobesmug · Apr 9, 2026

ViperGTS · Apr 9, 2026

I want the BPA at all draft positions. Drafting for need gets you in trouble.

Triumph · Apr 9, 2026

Depends who is left on the board unless NE moves up for a guy they have targeted.

WR? Whoever NE picks the WR 4 spots later will be a HOFer.

Pape · Apr 9, 2026

Edge - add someone dynamic to the power pairing of Williams / Barmore
RT - solidify the line for the next decade
1&2 can be swapped if the Rt is a standout who drops into our lap

LB - the backers desperately need depth

mgteich · Apr 9, 2026

Pape said:
Edge - add someone dynamic to the power pairing of Williams / Barmore
RT - solidify the line for the next decade
1&2 can be swapped if the Rt is a standout who drops into our lap

LB - the backers desperately need depth

There are exactly zero RT's who will be available after R1 who are likely to solidify the line for their rookie contract.

Pape · Apr 9, 2026

mgteich said:
There are exactly zero RT's who will be available after R1 who are likely to solidify the line for their rookie contract.

Well, it is what it is then...

if the skill level is similar between edge/tackle, we go edge, ride with MM for another year.. its the biggest hole to fill, with the best return on investment at this point... ymmv on that assessment

but, i also have no issue with us taking a tackle in R1.. id be happy with either

KCSVEN · Apr 9, 2026

jdlboot14 said:
I want Pats to take best available EDGE in the 1st.
Then, either Delp in the 2nd, or Klein in the 3rd/4th (if he lasts that long)
I don't think we're that desperate for OL. We have some depth pieces to develop already, but should be able to get someone in the 3rd/4th for OT and OG to groom alongside Bryant & Wallace to see who sticks.

I'm with you, if an edge guy is there worthy of the pick you take him. Edge is the #1 position. They got blitz pressure and Milt on the inside was great, the edges were weak.
I agree on OL, Campbell had a good first year overall and historically Offensive Tackles are more likely to improve than other positions. Wilson is built for center. They need depth, sure, With Moses age and AVT injury history.
On the WR front AJ Brown trade is still a high likelihood so its edge, edge, edge. They have to come out with a TE.

The only way they don't go edge is if there's a run and no prospects worthy OR someone really slips. You are better off drafting best player over need so how the board falls will be important.

Edge, TE, LB, WR (if Brown unlikely)

Crazy Patriot Guy · Apr 9, 2026

Triumph said:
Depends who is left on the board unless NE moves up for a guy they have targeted.

WR? Whoever NE picks the WR 4 spots later will be a HOFer.

Based on that way of thinking, especially after drafting Charles Rogers, Roy Williams and Mike Williams in the top 10 in three consecutive drafts, the Detroit Lions shouldn't even consider Calvin Johnson.

40yrpatsfan · Apr 9, 2026

mgteich said:
There are exactly zero RT's who will be available after R1 who are likely to solidify the line for their rookie contract.

You could be right but every year there there’s a mid round OT who becomes a starter at some point. I think if Miller or Max are there, take him but if not then don’t reach, and take a RT later. Pick an edge or maybe even a dominant LB.

TommyD4207 · Apr 9, 2026

https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/01/sports/pro-football-ravens-all-pro-lewis-charged-in-2-slayings-outside-atlanta-club.html

Huckleberry1 · Apr 9, 2026

ViperGTS said:
I want the BPA at all draft positions. Drafting for need gets you in trouble.

The idea is to build the best team in football. You don't accomplish that by passing on better players to fill perceived needs. Are there exceptions, yes, but they shouldn't drive the overall approach to putting a team together. Christian Gonzalez is a great example. They really needed a left tackle, but those left weren't deserving of that pick, so they went BPA and came away with an All Pro CB. The Patriots have a number of significant needs this draft, OT, Edge, Iff the ball LB, TE, and WR, they can address those needs and still go BPA, it's just a matter of when you address them. In all likelihood they will take one of those positions in the first round, and probably 2 of the other needs on day 2.

Huckleberry1 · Apr 9, 2026

KCSVEN said:
I'm with you, if an edge guy is there worthy of the pick you take him. Edge is the #1 position. They got blitz pressure and Milt on the inside was great, the edges were weak.
I agree on OL, Campbell had a good first year overall and historically Offensive Tackles are more likely to improve than other positions. Wilson is built for center. They need depth, sure, With Moses age and AVT injury history.
On the WR front AJ Brown trade is still a high likelihood so its edge, edge, edge. They have to come out with a TE.

The only way they don't go edge is if there's a run and no prospects worthy OR someone really slips. You are better off drafting best player over need so how the board falls will be important.

Edge, TE, LB, WR (if Brown unlikely)

for picking 31 I think they are going to have some good options to choose from.

Triumph · Apr 9, 2026

Crazy Patriot Guy said:
Based on that way of thinking, especially after drafting Charles Rogers, Roy Williams and Mike Williams in the top 10 in three consecutive drafts, the Detroit Lions shouldn't even consider Calvin Johnson.

So the Pats are good at drafting WRs?

Awesome. Who are they going to pick?

Crazy Patriot Guy · Apr 9, 2026

Triumph said:
So the Pats are good at drafting WRs?

Awesome. Who are they going to pick?

Were the Lions good at drafting WRs in the 1st round before Calvin Johnson?

BelizePats · Apr 9, 2026

Where is the suit, Ray???

WhatJustHappened · Apr 9, 2026

Yeah...ahh .. yeah...

Zuma · Apr 9, 2026

@WhatJustHappened Words of wisdom my friend

patfanken · Apr 9, 2026

Here's the thing. When you are drafting in the 30's it is unlikely that you are going to get a starter in the first 3 rounds. At that point you are just hoping to get a rotational player who will improve over the next 2 year and BECOME a starter eventually. Of course every now and then you get a one that immediately becomes a major contributor, like Woodson, who not only started from day one, but ended up playing the MOST defensive snaps of anyone on the team. Not bad for the 4th round, and certainly not expected

I desperately want an Edge or LB with that first pick. But I won't complain if we grab an OT or WR. If we are drafting at 31, we are getting something like the 7th or 8th OLman or the 5th or 6th WR . The point being is that NO ONE we pick in this year's draft is going to be an instant major contributor. This is a depth draft. A developmental draft that will produce 3 or 4 starters in their 2nd and 3rd years and 2 or 3 guys who become quality depth. Last year's bonanza was an anomaly that sometimes happens, especially to teams that sucked the previous year. But it is the exception not the rule. We have 11 picks, so far, and if 6 are still on the team 2-3 years from now, I'd call it a good draft.

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