2026 Draft: Interior OL

[manxman2601]

 

[mayoclinic]

Against Louisville - Gave up 6 pressures for a 26.2 pass blocking grade.

Against Notre Dame - Gave up 2 sacks ad 3 pressures.

Sounds perfect.

 

[Clonamery]

So strong.

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[stelfans]

Funny you mention Brailsford, I saw this video on him earlier today. He’s kind of being overlooked it seems.

 

[hornetfb85]

Was in the draft an interior OL early camp a few weeks ago. Watching this team makes me want to get the best protection for Maye possible for next season. IMO, we need to look into Joel Bitonio. Vrabel might have a relationship from last year. Let Wilson battle with Bradbury at C. Moses hangs at RT and we get a better look at Marcus Bryant next preseason to see if he’s a legit RT of the future.
LT: Campbell
LG: Bitonio
C: Wilson/Bradbury
RG: Onwenu
RT: Moses

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Funny you mention Brailsford, I saw this video on him earlier today. He’s kind of being overlooked it seems.

Seems like Brailsford is the same size as David Andrews? Andrews went undrafted.

 

[manxman2601]

Was in the draft an interior OL early camp a few weeks ago. Watching this team makes me want to get the best protection for Maye possible for next season. IMO, we need to look into Joel Bitonio. Vrabel might have a relationship from last year. Let Wilson battle with Bradbury at C. Moses hangs at RT and we get a better look at Marcus Bryant next preseason to see if he’s a legit RT of the future.
LT: Campbell
LG: Bitonio
C: Wilson/Bradbury
RG: Onwenu
RT: Moses

I'm not sure this team is signing an over 30 FA. It doesn't seem to fit the plan.

 

[hornetfb85]

I'm not sure this team is signing an over 30 FA. It doesn't seem to fit the plan.

I get that. I’m also not sure even they thought they’d have the success they’ve had this quickly. Need to maximize this window. Plugging in one of the best guards to help keep Maye on his feet might not be a bad idea. Similar to the Moses signing.

 

[manxman2601]

I get that. I’m also not sure even they thought they’d have the success they’ve had this quickly. Need to maximize this window. Plugging in one of the best guards to help keep Maye on his feet might not be a bad idea. Similar to the Moses signing.

Your Moses point is fair. I do admit to being nervous adding 2-3 more rookies as starters on this OL. It'd be fine for the long term but doesn't really help us in the short term. Jared Wilson has struggled this year.

 

[hornetfb85]

Your Moses point is fair. I do admit to being nervous adding 2-3 more rookies as starters on this OL. It'd be fine for the long term but doesn't really help us in the short term. Jared Wilson has struggled this year.

Think Wilson will be a really good starter at either spot. But think he can be better as a C. Think a vet like Bitonio between Campbell and Wilson could really help those two. Depending on the Onwenu contract situation might need to address RG as well in the draft. I don’t think they will cut Onwenu, but do think they want to rework that deal…at least I want that.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Think Wilson will be a really good starter at either spot. But think he can be better as a C. Think a vet like Bitonio between Campbell and Wilson could really help those two. Depending on the Onwenu contract situation might need to address RG as well in the draft. I don’t think they will cut Onwenu, but do think they want to rework that deal…at least I want that.

Sounds good but Bitonio is 35 next year. That is old as a OL in the NFL. But he is 6 months younger than Moses. We have to draft more OL.

 

[hornetfb85]

Sounds good but Bitonio is 35 next year. That is old as a OL in the NFL. But he is 6 months younger than Moses. We have to draft more OL.

Agree. Only chose JB because he might have a history with Vrabel. I just think a vet LG might be the way to go next year rather than another rookie. I’m good with any upgrade though.

And am more than ok with running Wilson there again. Think he has a lot of potential and will be a good one. I think he can be very good at C though.

 

[manxman2601]

Oregon C Iapane Laloulu supposedly had a very strong game against the Iowa DL. A bit of a forgotten name but well worth bringing back as a name to now.

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[manxman2601]

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[mayoclinic]

Thinking about the IOL:

1. Mike Onwenu just doesn't cut it, not worth the cap hit. Time to move on in 2026.

2. Jared Wilson will be a stud, super athletic. Has been developing well at LG, could stay there or move back to center, depending on which prospects are available.

3. Garrett Bradbury Is not much better than Onwenu. Can't move the pile. Jared Wilson could upgrade the center position in 2026, or stay at LG and hope the Pats can get 1 more year out of Bradbury.

4. The 2026 draft is strong and deep at IOL, including current IOLs and OT conversions.

At this point, my thoughts are:

LG:

Option 1: Jared Wilson stays at LG. Could make sense if the Pats prefer the C options.

Option 2: Draft a college LG. Vega Ioane, Emmanuel Pregnon and Chase Bisontis are probably the top 3, all big, powerful people movers. Keylan Rutledge might be an option.

Option 3: Draft a college OT and move him inside. Think Peter Skoronski, Joel Bitonio, Joe Thuney - ideally, a guy with LT feet and a guard's body. Cayden Green and Austin Siereveld top my list. Maybe Carter Smith and Kage Casey. Caleb Lomu great feet but needs more power. Kadyn Proctor and Gennings Dunker probably lack the footwork, limited to right side only.

Option 4: Sign a vet in FA. Not a fan of this option, think the Pats would be over-paying for a player past their prime.

OC:

Option 1: Jared Wilson moves to his natural C position, would probably be the most athletic OC in the league.

Option 2: Draft an athletic current C/G and leave Wilson at LG. Kade Pieper would be my preference, but he is a RS sophomore. Logan Jones almost as athletic. Conner Lew, Jake Slaughter and Iapani Laloulu might be options as well, but are less athletic.

Option 3: Draft a college OT and move him inside. Brian Parker and Carter Smith seem like the leading candidates, both very good players.

Option 4: Sign a vet in FA. Unless the Ravens somehow let Tyler Linderbaum hit FA, I don't see much here.

RG:

LG and C don't absolutely have to be addressed in 2026, though at least 1 should be. RG does, assuming Mike Onwenu moves on.

RG is a paradox for me. There are true stud RGs like David DeCastro and Zach Martin. But is it worth investing that much draft capital on a position where you can generally find a solid starter in the mid rounds?

Spencer Fano and Francis Mauigoa would be wasted at RG, IMO. Kadyn Proctor would probably be a beastly RG. Maybe Gennings Dunker and Max Iheanachor. Austin Siereveld, Cayden Green, Carter Smith and anybody the top power guards discussed above would probably thrive.

I could see using a rookie at RG in 2026 and then kicking them to LG or RT in 2027, as Moses and Bradbury phase out.

There are so many potentially great combos, especially for a good line coach like Marrone to play around with. In a deep draft, I would hope to pick up 2 quality IOLs on day 3.

 

[stelfans]

My preference right now is to get at least 2 IOL. One earlier, like Ioane, Pregnon or Siereveld, and one later on preferably Rutledge or Greg Johnson.
This assuming Wilson will be our long term C, if he isnt then go with Slaughter or Gulbin. The wildcard is Lew, who could drop to the 3rd/4th round or could still be a early 2nd.

 

[manxman2601]

Just doing my usual PFF scouting and looked up Emmanuel Pregnon.

He has only given up 3 pressures all year but just as interesting, only 1 sack in his career and that was in his freshman year.