DRAFT DAY DISCUSSION 2026 NFL Draft Day 3

[Bill Lee]

By the draft chart value chart, the Pats could trade every remaining pick and get pick 120 or so back. There's probably no one worth doing that for except Jermod McCoy though. I assume there are lotto picks the Pats like and special teams needs they want filled.

I'm in the 'just say no' camp on McCoy.

Looks like we have extra Day 3 picks in 2027 via Mapu, Dugger and Bradbury trades, any other player still on the board worth throwing in some of that capital?

Who are the FA LB's still out there? I'm thinking that any LB we pick today is like closing our eyes and throwing a dart at the target. Why not go after a guy who has at least NFL experience to fill in and maybe he can become the next Ninkovich and just take the BPA and look to next year's draft for LB help.

Or, dare I say it, the next Vrabel...

 

[mgteich]

Who are the FA LB's still out there? I'm thinking that any LB we pick today is like closing our eyes and throwing a dart at the target. Why not go after a guy who has at least NFL experience to fill in and maybe he can become the next Ninkovich and just take the BPA and look to next year's draft for LB help.

Ok, so you don't trust our scouts and evaluation. While I agree that any player chosen today is like throwing a dart at a target, I don't agree that we shouldn't draft a LB if he is BPA on our board. In fact, I think that it is (and should be) likely that we trade up yet again.

I favor trying to find a trade partner in the mid or late fourth. The cost would be our 5th and a couple of 6ths. This player would make the team and be developed into a player who would contribute in Vrabel's system.

My bottom line is that I believe that our staff can find a LB who will likely help the team. Perhaps, this contribution won't be much as a rookie, but that's OK. As an aside, drafting a LB in the 4th or 5th is a very low-cost, low-risk option.
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Finally, drafting a LB does NOT preclude signing one in free agency. Certainly, Vrabel is looking and could sign one before camp, during camp or even the day after the final cut.

2026 Linebacker Free Agents

Tracking the status and signings of all 2026 Linebacker free agents, including total value, average and guarantees.

www.spotrac.com

 

[p8ryts]

I like Randall and Washington, the RBs, but think they will go early. I want Nussmeier, Landon Robinson and Rheidenbach (?). Go Navy. Nussmeier is an enigma, but I thought he looked great in some games the previous year. Robinson has great quickness. I'm a sucker for short, quick DT's. Rheidenbach could be my next Edelman.

 

[mgteich]

As an aside, we may very well be able to secure a RB or NT who could be a major contributor over the life of the player's contract.

 

[Uptown]

OT Lomu - Polished technique in pass protection. Smooth/athletic..good feet/balance. Needs to add strength; which he will.

EDGE Jacas - Strong athlete…bully…plays like a Jacas on the field. High motor. Leader. Needs to clean up run stopping ability.

TE Raridon - Tough…athletic (especially for his size) strong/late hands. Ran a 4.6 40…good splits..many of Jeremiyah Love’s highlights were actually Raridon highlights. Could be the best all around TE in this draft. Hopefully, our version of Tucker Kraft or better. Maye & Raridon?? I likey..I likey..Favorite pick thus far.


Love our draft…here’s to a great Day 3.

 

[ZoisKing]

Package picks.

If we only drafted 5 guys this draft, then Id say we used our picks well.

 

[Uptown]

 

[mgteich]

Package picks.

If we only drafted 5 guys this draft, then Id say we used our picks well.

Yup
Trade 3 picks (again) to move into the 4th and then take whatever flyer (probably ST's) that staff want to take with the last pick (or two).

 

[imahobgoblin]

As an aside, we may very well be able to secure a RB or NT who could be a major contributor over the life of the player's contract.

This is my hope today. I want an absolute battering ram for short yards that can just blow through the jumbo package. I really hope its Randall. Lan Larison is not that guy, but I am excited to see him in camp. I don't know if we can carry 4 RB and a FB on the 53 though, but injuries to RB always seem to happed so we need 4 good ones in camp.

Nick Barrett, Zxavian Harris (legal issues), and Dontay Corleone are nice. I love Corleone even though he is short. He just gets under pads and at 340 cannot be moved. And I want to hear about the Godfather on the Dline.

 

[Uptown]

Penn State Safety Zakee Wheatley would be nice. Gonna have to trade up though..

 

[manxman2601]

Two of our 6th rounders should get us into the middle of the 5th round. I'd probably do that and just see who fallis into our 5th round clutches.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Predictions

Before we are done tomorrow RB will be addressed to come degree. They didn't add Hill Gilliam and Raridon(a guy who blocks too) only to scoop up free agent RBs. They plan to leave with a guy with a draft grade not a FA grade.

This entire off season has been about forward thinking... future RT, future TE, Doubs for when Boutte comes up at WR, 2 spots which have not been addressed with this in mind... G and DB. I think at least one if not both gets looked into.

Yup, I have thought this for months.
Rham's contract has an out after next year. He will be 29 and entering his 7th season, a point many NFL RBs see a drop-off, most before that.
I think Singleton would be the ideal replacement.
Size/Speed/Receiving ability. He has 3 down ability.
That said, pre-draft I thought if he got to the 4th rd we should take a hard look, but now, I doubt he gets to the 5th....but maybe.

 

[The Gr8est]

Predictions

Before we are done tomorrow RB will be addressed to come degree. They didn't add Hill Gilliam and Raridon(a guy who blocks too) only to scoop up free agent RBs. They plan to leave with a guy with a draft grade not a FA grade.

This entire off season has been about forward thinking... future RT, future TE, Doubs for when Boutte comes up at WR, 2 spots which have not been addressed with this in mind... G and DB. I think at least one if not both gets looked into.

Don’t forget about Lan Larison.

 

[manxman2601]

There's been no more talk about a Boutte trade. Maybe there isn't good value to be had there.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Linebacker is our biggest positional need I'd say. We lost three and only replaced with one, KJ Britt.

We usually agree on roster needs/picks and this is no different.
We need LBs, and the ones we have could use a serious, very serious upgrade.
I think that should be our next pick, somehow, some way.

 

[mgteich]

Don’t forget about Lan Larison.

Yes, he may the first patriot UDFA this century to have ever spent his rookie year on IR and then become a serious contributor. But, yes, I like Larison.

 

[The Gr8est]

Gotta balance it out with some New Testament dudes like Ephesians Prysock lol.

There HAS to be a Jesus out there who is a prospect, right?

 

[Bill Lee]

There's been no more talk about a Boutte trade. Maybe there isn't good value to be had there.

I think that talk was mainly in the context of Boutte being needed as a piece in the deal for Brown, rather than an open market for Boutte.

At least I didn't see any rumor that the Pats were taking calls on him.

 

[The Gr8est]

I'm in the 'just say no' camp on McCoy.

Looks like we have extra Day 3 picks in 2027 via Mapu, Dugger and Bradbury trades, any other player still on the board worth throwing in some of that capital?



Or, dare I say it, the next Vrabel...

I want to hold onto our 2027 picks. In fact, I’d like more.

 

[mgteich]

There's been no more talk about a Boutte trade. Maybe there isn't good value to be had there.

Agreed.

It is Boutte who wanted to be traded.

If the team can't get a good enough deal today, then it costs the patriots nothing to wait, at least through the middle of camp. In the end, we will have 4 other WR's plus Boutte, Douglas and Chism. The decision can wait if no better option is available.