So, here's a hypothetical scenario:
I. 2026 Draft
1. At 31, Max Iheanachor (or Blake Miller) is available. The Pats solidify the OL, especially if Akheem Mesidor is already off the board.
2. At 63, most of the the EDGE rushers (Parker, Jacas, Young, Lawrence) are gone, along with the top LBs (Rodriguez, Golday, Allen) and nickel/safeties (Stukes, Scott). Some EDGE rushers are still available like Dennis-Sutton, Crawford and Moore. Keylan Rutledge is also available. The Pats take Rutledge. This gives them a complete OL rebuild through at least 2028 with Campbell-AVT-Wilson-Rutledge-Iheanachor. Athletic and violent. OL is no longer a need for 2027.
3. The Pats trade 95 and 131 to Miami to move up to 87 (Miami also has 75, 90 and 94, so they like picking up an extra 4th) and grab one of the remaining EDGEs.
4. At 125 the Pats take the best available TE out of Sam Roush, Eli Raridon, Will Kacmarek, and Dallen Bentley (in that order). That gives you a 2026 TE/FB group of Hunter Henry, Julian Hill, rookie and Reggie Gilliam. TE/FB is not complete, but is stronger, deeper, and more physical than it was in 2025. Gilliam, Hill plus one of Roush/Kacmarek would give the Pats one of the most physical units in the NFL, and would complement the rebuilt OL. I would consider this an offensive unit built in Mike Vrabel's ideal image - athletic, violent, versatile, tough.
5-7. With picks 171, 191, 198, 202, 212 and 247 the Pats add depth and developmental upside. LB and DB are priorities, but slot WR, RB, move TE, OL depth, EDGE depth and DT are all options. This is a deep draft, and the Pats can target a few people if they like. There are many, many targets: Cyrus Allen, Eli Heidenreich, Adam Randall, Keagen Trost, Micah Morris, Billy Schrauth, Jeremiah Wright, Matthew Hibner Dan Villari and HlJaren Kanak on offense; Jimmy Rolder, Jack Kelly, Justin Jefferson, Red Murdock, Lander Barron, Eric Gentry, Jaden Dugger, VJ Payne, Michael Taaffe, Robert Spears-Jackson, Cole Wisniewski, Louis Moore, Jakobe Thomas, Jalen Huskey, Lorenzo Styles, CJ Demmings, Devon Marshall, Lorenzo Styles, Soriano Pride, Collin Wright, Ceyair Wrighr, Jordan van den Berg, Rene Konga, Damonte Capehart, Skyler Gill-Howard, Albert Regis, Landon Robinson, Trey Moore, Mason Reiger, Nyjalik Kelly, Bryan Thomas, Vincent Anthony. The FO won't address every hole, but some really good players will slip through the cracks, and there will be a real opportunity to add depth and developmental talent.
UDFA. Full in as many holes as posdible with players that slip through the cracks.
II. Post-Draft/UDFA
Trade a package to Philly for WR AJ Brown after June 1. This could include a 2027 2nd round pick, possibly a 4th and possibly players. Mike Onwenu and Pop Douglas could be throw-ins. If not traded, Onwenu could be a cap cut.
Where This Would Leave the Pats
2026:
1. The OL rebuild would be complete. Campbell-AVT-Wilson-Rutledge-Moses for 2026 with Iheanachor as swingbor in case if injury, and Campbell-AVT-Wilson-Rutledge-Iheanachor for 2027 on. Substitute Blake Miller if you prefer.
2. The WR room would be complete. Brown-Doubs-Boutte-Williams-Hollins-Chism, maybe a rookie slot WR, maybe Pop Douglas. Deep and versatile.
3. The TE/FB group, sling with the OL, would give the Pats a much more physical and violent offense.
4. The defense would mostly be as is, with a rotational EDGE addition and some added depth and developmental pieces.
I think this would be a very competitive team. That offense would beat the crap out of people, protect Drake Maye, give him better targets, and improve the running game.
2027:
- The Pats would give up 2nd and probably 4th round picks
- OL would not be a target
- WR would not be a target
- TE, RB, and defense would be targets
Fill in a few key pieces, and the rebuild could be fairly complete. Of course, you are always churning the bottom of the roster.
Thoughts?
